We had the good fortune of connecting with Stacie Elkhoury and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stacie, what is the most important factor behind your success?
When I look at any of the brands in which I have had influence in or been the driving force behind their launch into the world, the single most important factor behind my success is the support from my friends and family. This support isn’t necessarily supporting the brand from a consumer or even a financial position rather encouraging me and holding my head high during the many valleys that a person launching any business must face to ever meet success.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I met my husband while at The Ohio State University pursuing my degree in dental hygiene. My business journey began when my husband (who is a periodontist) purchased a practice with locations in both Napa and Sonoma, CA asked me if I would be willing to help him with the business operations that were feeling overwhelming combined with the clinical demands of patient care. A few years and one dental office design to the studs later, we were renovating another building to move our Sonoma office location into, (and pregnant with our 4th child), I felt the desire to create a child centric business within a small footprint of the structure that wasn’t going to be utilized by the dental office.

This was a pivotal moment for me. It combined my passion for creativity with real estate transformations as well as visions to create new business models that would serve the community through filling voids in services and conveniences locally. It lit a fire in me that quite honestly I haven’t been able to put out.

Next thing I knew, Snipz, a salon for the next generation, was born in that newly completed multi-use building that also included a brand new loft 2 bedroom apartment on the upper level. Less than a year later, we opened our second location all before our 4th son turned one. I had heard the saying shortly after becoming parents for the first time “becoming a parent proves how little sleep you need to survive”. That year we validated that concept.

A couple years, hard lessons, and a failed clothing brand concept later, I embarked alongside my brother into the coffee business which also required my first historic restoration project to become the brick and mortar for that brand in my hometown of Lexington, Ohio.  My most recent launch includes a micro-hotel, professional office suites, a cocktail lounge and a drive through lunch and dinner concept within the conversion of a traditional bank to a multi-use business structure.  Are you dizzy yet?  I almost forgot to mention, our family vineyard released it’s first vintage of our Pinot Noir wine in 2020, and ordering our wines off wine lists of our favorite restaurants is quite possibly one of my most “pinch me“ moments again and again!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

My “city” right now is split between both Sonoma Valley and Marin County with wings in both Napa Valley and San Francisco.

For Sonoma, a trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the iconic Sonoma plaza popping into boutiques like Chateau Sonoma, Sign of the Bear kitchenwares, and Half-Pint. Tasting rooms are abundant as well as great eats like The Red Grape. My favorite California farm to table restaurant, The Glen Ellen Star, is also not to be missed. Wineries like Three Sticks, Hamel Family Winery and Kamen Estate are all top of my list of experiences that capture the essence of wine country.

For Marin, any hike that is part of the Marin Headlands, many of which end with views of the Pacific Ocean are my local happy place and any hikers dream. Dining at Marché, where you can enjoy our wines on their wine list, is the perfect way to end an evening in the heart of Marin in the quaint, charming town of Ross. My go-to bakery is Rustic bakery located in Larkspur and coffee at the Coffee Roastery!

In the city, I find myself most “at home” in the Presidio located just across the Golden Gate Bridge from Marin county which is the perfect connection of the dense beautiful forrest of Marin and the dense urban color of the city. Dalida has become a family favorite featuring vibrant Middle Eastern Food or a date night overlooking the city and the bridge from the Farley Bar in the historic Cavallo Point.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My childhood best friend, who has been everything from my failed college roommate experience to my matron of honor and who knows me better than I know myself. She has been my essential through all the chapters of my life. My parents who certainly were an inspiration of both hard work and the honor and importance of family priorities as well as an active lifestyle. They instilled in me the value of memories and experiences over materials.

All 4 of my siblings have shaped my character in a unique way and been a source of inspiration and support through any twist and turn.  Always with humor, often with hard truths that are critical to growth. My husband, business partner, and the best father I could ever imagine to our four kids. He’s everything I am not and my biggest cheerleader. He celebrates my wild ideas and never has allowed me to believe that there is any mountain I am not strong enough to conquer, most importantly when those peaks seem to keep getting taller as I climb.

The employees that have grown alongside of me, trusted in me and my dreams and leadership and visions and embraced the brands like their own. They have cared for each customer and their satisfaction like only an owner would and without a doubt many of them, with their loyalty and dedication have been instrumental in the continued success of the brands. My mama tribe including book club and my workout besties. They are the definition of it takes a village.

Website: www.nickelandbean.com www.elkhouryvineyard.com. www.snipzsalons.com. www.thetellerbuilding.com

Instagram: @nickelandbean @the.elkhoury.family,vineyard @snipzsalons @thenoteohio

Image Credits
Paige Green
Lauren Anna Mills
Rachael Hairston-Loveridge

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.