Sunshine Foss

Introduction and Caribbean Heritage

Taryell Simmons: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to another fun episode of Rise Urban Nation. When I say we are going to bring the sunshine in this morning, we literally are bringing the sunshine in. We have a special guest in the building, Sunshine Foss. How are you doing this morning?

Sunshine Foss: Great! How are you doing? It is Monday and a beautiful rainy day here in New York, so you have to stay positive.

Taryell Simmons: You have to stay positive on those rainy days. I see you have your Black Girl Magic bottles behind you. Always stay ready, dressed fresh, and ready to impress. I just realized we both have our black hoodies on this morning. Mine is Good Trouble. What is yours?

Sunshine Foss: Mine is Corporate Leisure.

Taryell Simmons: Tell me about Corporate Leisure.

Sunshine Foss: Corporate Leisure is a brand created by a friend. It offers corporate leisure wear, including hoodies, tees, and everything in between, with dope graphics that are comfortable and stylish.

Taryell Simmons: I am going to check out Corporate Leisure. Today is all about Black Girl Magic. For the people who do not know who you are, please tell them: who is Sunshine?

Sunshine Foss: I am Sunshine Foss, creator and owner of Happy Cork in Brooklyn. Happy Cork carries the largest assortment of Black-owned wines and spirits anywhere in the country. Prior to that, I am a mom, a wife, and a business owner. I represent my Caribbean roots hard—I am from the beautiful island of Saint Lucia, the Helen of the West Indies.

Transitioning from Fashion and Real Estate to Retail

Taryell Simmons: How does a girl from Saint Lucia come out here and stir up the wine business?

Sunshine Foss: The wine and spirits industry found me. My background is in fashion design, then home textiles, then real estate, and now retail.

Taryell Simmons: How did one step lead to another?

Sunshine Foss: I went to school for fashion design and designed apparel for years. Then I moved into home textiles, designing anti-allergen mattress protectors and pillows. Alongside that, my husband and I bought our first property in 2012, which sparked our passion for real estate remodeling and flipping. That eventually led to purchasing the building for Happy Cork. There was a bulletproof liquor store in the space for six months. When they vacated, no one wanted to rent the storefront because it is on a side street. By 2018, I decided to open a wine and spirits shop myself.

Launching Happy Cork and Surviving the Pandemic

Taryell Simmons: How did the journey unfold after opening the doors?

Sunshine Foss: Other wine store owners warned me it was a tough industry, but Happy Cork was born. One year after our launch, the pandemic hit. Being on a side street, we initially had to stand outside inviting people in for weekly tastings on Wednesdays and Fridays. During the pandemic, we were deemed an essential business. Because we already carried the largest assortment of Black-owned brands, the push to shop Black-owned propelled our growth into a destination space.

Entrepreneurial Resilience and Daily Problem Solving

Taryell Simmons: What has been the hardest obstacle you faced on your journey?

Sunshine Foss: I encounter obstacles daily. I still manage properties, so a pipe might burst and flood the basement while we are hosting a wine tasting event. I cannot afford to dwell on problems; I simply resolve them and move forward.

Taryell Simmons: How do you stay so grounded through all of that?

Sunshine Foss: You only have one life, so live each day to the fullest. When something difficult happens, you push through, solve it, and realize it was manageable. Then you tackle the next challenge.

Key Advice for New Entrepreneurs

Taryell Simmons: What are your top three tips for an aspiring entrepreneur?

Sunshine Foss: First, know your industry and do thorough research, but do not get paralyzed in the planning phase—if an idea is viable, test it. Second, know your brand and build it intentionally, because you are the brand. Third, stay consistent and put in the work without letting it completely overtake your life.

Taryell Simmons: Great things take time to mature, just like fine wine.

Sunshine Foss: Exactly. Quality and richness require patience. You wait for grapes to mature, harvest, press, and blend. A great bottle of wine is often three years in the making.

Navigating New York Liquor Regulations and Store Design

Taryell Simmons: Between research and branding, what comes first in the wine industry?

Sunshine Foss: Research is first and foremost. In New York, state regulations require your store to be at least 200 yards away from schools, churches, and competing stores. You must prove to the state liquor board that the neighborhood can support the business. You must also secure the lease and complete renovations before presenting to the board. We designed Happy Cork to be an immersive, sensory experience without bulletproof glass so customers can touch bottles and feel welcomed.

Overcoming Distribution Barriers for Black-Owned Brands

Taryell Simmons: What has been your experience supporting minority-owned brands in this industry?

Sunshine Foss: When I started, there were only about ten Black-owned brands, and only one had New York distribution. Entering spaces like Champagne or Cognac requires substantial capital, and securing major distribution is a massive hurdle. Distributors are often hesitant to take risks on new brands. I often connect brands directly with distributors or purchase through direct platforms until they demonstrate strong sales volume.

Spotlighting Black Girl Magic and Product Excellence

Taryell Simmons: Tell us about the Black Girl Magic wine collection behind you.

Sunshine Foss: Black Girl Magic was created by the McBride Sisters, who are pioneering Black women in the wine industry. Their collection includes Riesling, Rosé, Red Blend, and Brut. While the name resonates deeply, the wine itself is outstanding. At Happy Cork, we taste every product before stocking it. We showcase wines that are exceptional first, and proudly Black-owned.

Early Career Foundations and Building Best Kept Secrets

Taryell Simmons: What was your very first job?

Sunshine Foss: My first job was working for my mother, who is a lifelong entrepreneur. I cut out fabric flowers to paste onto souvenir T-shirts. Later, I worked at The Gap for five years while studying design, and launched a vintage clothing boutique called Best Kept Secrets in Miami.

Product Presentation and Social Media for Retailers

Taryell Simmons: What is your biggest piece of advice for beverage makers and retailers?

Sunshine Foss: For winemakers and distillers, invest in standout packaging and label design before mass production, and solicit feedback from store owners. For retailers, know your inventory thoroughly, offer interactive classes, and bring your authentic personality to social media.

Life Lessons, Family Priorities, and Mentorship

Taryell Simmons: What life lesson guides your daily routine?

Sunshine Foss: Life is short and tomorrow is not promised. I prioritize family time on weekends, cook dinner for my children, and make sure work does not prevent me from enjoying life. To keep learning, I listen to podcasts like Earn Your Leisure and MG the Mortgage Guy.

The Future of Diversity in Wine and Spirits

Taryell Simmons: How do you view the future of diversity in the beverage industry?

Sunshine Foss: When we opened, there were only three Black sommeliers in the world. Today, an entire community of diverse sommeliers, winemakers, and master blenders like Victoria Butler at Uncle Nearest is flourishing. Leaders like Fawn Weaver and Dia Sims are providing grants and funding, creating sustainable pathways for growth.

New Ventures: Happy Buds and Tasting Space

Taryell Simmons: What new projects are on the horizon, and where can listeners connect with you?

Sunshine Foss: We opened Happy Buds, a CBD and wellness boutique in Bed-Stuy featuring minority-owned brands, and we are launching a dedicated tasting room at Happy Cork. Visit us at 51 Buffalo Avenue in Brooklyn, online at https://happy-cork.com, download the Happy Cork and Happy Buds apps, or follow @HappyCorkBrooklyn on social media.

Taryell Simmons: Any final words of wisdom for our listeners?

Sunshine Foss: Be good people and live life to the fullest.