The critical decisions we make in business are guided by our attitudes toward our employees, our creditors, our vendors’ representatives, and our customers. How we treat these people is based on our perceptions, opinions, and attitudes. In this series, we have endeavored to demonstrate how our guiding principles affect our success. By putting ourselves in […]

We are very EXCITED to announce that on February 23, we will be receiving the 2012 Wavemaker Award from the Surfrider Foundation. This award is presented to supporters who have gone the extra mile in their efforts on behalf of the Surfrider Foundation. If you haven’t already, please check out this foundation. They work very hard […]

Michael and Bonnie were interviewed on The Forward Motion Radio Show with Carmen Carrozza. Please click on the following link and the podcast will be under Monday 18th of February 2013. Please click here.

The salespeople who call on your business have much more to offer than the products and services they represent. They are a gold mine of information and are in a position to significantly help your business. In this series, we have examined the guiding principles that were instrumental to our success in the belief that […]

Entrepreneurs Michael Houlihan + Bonnie Harvey Co-founders,Barefoot Wine Sonoma County, CA What brought you together?We met at a rhythm and blues dance club, and discovered that we both wanted to move to the wine country, and had an interest in business. Sarcasm and humor are the keys to our compatibility. Does working together keep your marriage […]

Ever wonder what goes through a creditor’s mind when they decide whether or not to give you credit? Creditors, like suppliers, vendors, and bankers who extend credit to you, are a bit anxious and for good reason. They don’t know how you’ll behave when times are tough. They don’t know if you will be a […]

Getting Barefoot With Michael Houlihan ’63   When Michael Houlihan ’63 and his partner Bonnie Harvey launched their Barefoot Cellars wine business in 1986, the pair was sorely lacking many things – most significantly knowledge of the wine industry and money. But that didn’t stop the dynamic duo from building an award-winning national brand, eventually […]

Our grandparents called it “The Golden Rule.” Our parents told us to “Put yourself in the other guy’s shoes.” We call it “How would you like it?” But it’s all the same concept of fair play. Unfortunately, in our fast-paced, highly competitive business environment, this basic idea can get lost. Starting a business feels overwhelming. […]

Michael had the honor to be interviewed on The Smith Floyd Water Cooler Radio Show by Matt DiGeronimo on January 30. Please check out the interview podcast: Smith Floyd Water Cooler Radio Interview    Guest Appearance by Michael Houlihan, Founder of Barefoot Wine, on the Smith Floyd Water Cooler January 28, 2013 By Smith Floyd Smith Floyd […]

Today, Michael will be attending The Unified Wine & Grape Symposium Built with the joint input of growers, vintners and allied industry members, the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium is held annually in Sacramento, California and is the largest event of its kind in the western hemisphere. Serving as a clearinghouse for practical information important […]