On Sunday October 14th, we were guests of our friends Bob and Dan at their table at the exquisite CRESCENDO Sunday champagne brunch and fundraiser hosted by the SFGMC at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. We enjoyed a glorious and entertaining preview of SFGMC’s upcoming Iconic Season 35. There was a special award for Randy Arnold for his over two decades of support for the SFGMC. Bonnie and I were honored for giving Randy permission and encouraging him to do so. There were over 300 people there and we were treated to a preview of the opening movement from “I Am Harvey Milk”, the new Orchestration coming from the SFGMC in their upcoming 35th Season. It was written and directed by Andrew Lippa, the noted song writer. Very moving! Go here for more info.

Who We Are

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey Barefoot Wine Founders

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.

They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.

Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.