Today we’d like to introduce you to Elona Rapp
Hi Elona, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Elona Rapp, and I’m the founder of WineNot.
For those who may not know, WineNot isn’t just a social club – it’s a flourishing business that was built from ground up. It wasn’t just born out of a love for wine (though that’s definitely a big part of it!), but out of a deep desire for connection and community. When my husband Paul and I moved to Georgia from California back in 2014, I found myself in a situation – trying to navigate a new place and longing for meaningful friendships. Being an only child and an exchange student from Russia at 16, I know what it’s like to feel like you don’t quite fit in. But I also know the incredible power of finding your tribe, your people who become like family.
With a baby and a toddler at home at the time and my husband traveling weekly, I felt the weight of loneliness. So, I took a leap of faith in 2019 and posted in a local group, hoping to find ladies who shared my love for travel, wine, and the finer things in life. What started with just a handful of us meeting up for a casual lunch has blossomed into something truly magical. WineNot has grown to include over 2900 local incredible women – each one bringing their own unique story, their own joys, and their own struggles.
In 2022, I turned my passion into a successful business: Events by Elona LLC DBA WINENOT?. Specializing in curating remarkable experiences for women. Since its launch, I’ve introduced WineNot membership programs, offering ladies avenues to discover their tribe through meticulously orchestrated gatherings. Additionally, we support our local businesswomen by providing platforms to amplify their brand and create invaluable connections within their local community.
I juggle more hats than you can imagine – from being a mom to managing a day-time job, all while my husband Paul travels the majority of the week for work. With my kids now 5 and 7, life is crazy, and yet, amidst it all, WineNot holds a special place in my heart.
For the last 5 years It’s been a journey of ups and downs, planning events for a group this size is no small feat. It takes dedication, creativity, and a whole lot of hustle. Lots of late nights and early mornings (last year we hosted 80 events and so far this year we are over 40), but every ounce of effort to create these events for you has been worth it when I see the joy on your faces, the laughter, and the bonds you are forming. It’s a safe space where you can come as you are, without fear of judgment or exclusion.
So if you’ve ever felt like you’re on the outside looking in, know that there’s a place for you here. Come join us at one of our gatherings, and let’s raise a glass to friendship, to community, and to my motto: Be the Girl Who Always Tells Another Girl There Is Room For One More.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
To answer your question, it hasn’t been always a smooth road for me in building WineNot. Some of the struggles I’ve faced along the way include:
Balancing Responsibilities: Juggling multiple roles has been a significant challenge. Being a mom to young children, managing a daytime job, and running WineNot all at once requires a lot of effort and time management.
Event Planning: Organizing events for a large group of over 2900 women involves considerable dedication, creativity, and hard work. It means many late nights and early mornings to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Building the Community: Growing WineNot from a small gathering to a thriving community took a lot of perseverance and effort. It required creating a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone involved.
Despite these challenges, my passion for creating a supportive community and my commitment to fostering meaningful connections have driven me to overcome these obstacles. Seeing the joy and bonds formed within our group makes every ounce of effort worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
About WineNot:
WineNot is more than just a social club; it’s a thriving community and a flourishing business that I founded out of a deep desire for connection and community. Our primary focus is on creating remarkable experiences and connections for women through a variety of curated events and gatherings.
What We Do and Specialize In:
WineNot excels at bringing women together both socially and professionally, creating a vibrant community where meaningful connections flourish. We proudly support locally owned businesses by strategically connecting them with the community, tailored to their business type, goals, and budget. Our membership programs offer exclusive access to meticulously orchestrated events, from intimate gatherings to grand themed experiences. These events help women discover their tribe and build lasting bonds.
What Sets Us Apart:
What truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our members. We host 5-8 events monthly, ensuring there’s always something exciting on the horizon. Last year, we proudly organized 80 events, and this year we’ve already surpassed 40. Our events range from intimate gatherings to elaborate, themed experiences, each meticulously crafted to offer first-class enjoyment. We firmly believe that creating emotional bonds through consistent and personal interactions is the key to building a strong, supportive community. This dedication to connection and quality is what makes WineNot stand out.
Brand Pride:
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the sense of family and belonging that we have cultivated within WineNot. Our community has grown to over 2900 incredible women, each bringing their own unique experiences and perspectives. The joy, laughter, and bonds formed at our events are truly heartwarming and are a testament to the welcoming environment we strive to create.
What We Want Readers to Know:
For anyone who has ever felt like they are on the outside looking in, WineNot offers a place where they can feel at home. We provide numerous opportunities for women to connect, share experiences, and support one another. From our diverse events to our platforms that amplify local businesswomen’s brands, WineNot is dedicated to enriching the lives of our members and strengthening our local community. If you are a business trying to connect with a community, WineNot is the perfect place to be.
What makes you happy?
WineNot isn’t just a business to me, it’s my passion. Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing women come together, forming genuine bonds, finding friendship, and sharing those special moments that make life beautiful.
Being able to play a role, no matter how small, in bringing people closer, creating that sense of belonging, it’s like a warm hug for my soul. And when I think about how I’m also helping local businesses connect with their community, thrive, and truly become a part of something bigger, it just fills my heart with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and happiness.
Every day, knowing that I’m making a difference in someone’s life, seeing lives transformed, and communities strengthened through these connections, it’s what keeps me going.
It’s my driving force, my purpose, and the reason why I pour my heart into WineNot every single day.
Pricing:
- Sweet Reisling Trial Membership $9.99/month
- Bold Pinot Noir Membership 59.99/annually
- Full Body Cabernet Business Membership $99.99/annually
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AlpharettaWineNot.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winenot.events
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alpharettawinenot
