Pretty and Black Owned is a celebration of brilliance, beauty, and bold business moves. This series spotlights Black women who are building powerful brands, creating impact, and owning their lane with confidence and purpose. From passion to profit, these women represent what it looks like to lead, thrive, and win.

Wives and Wine is a lifestyle brand and event company redefining what it means to be a modern woman. We create safe, empowering spaces—both online and in person—where millennial women of color can let their hair
down, connect authentically and prioritize their wellness. Through curated events, engaging content and future weekend getaways in wine regions around the world, we use wine and wellness as tools to build community and joy. It’s not just about the titles we hold—wife, mom, boss—it’s about being whole, seen and celebrated.

Meet the founders:

ARIANA “YANA” GORDON-AZODEH

Born in NY to Jamaican parents and raised in sunny South Florida, Yana is a foodie at heart, a travel enthusiast and a wine lover through and through. You’ll usually find her sipping on a bold Cabernet Sauvignon… or popping
champagne to celebrate life’s sweet moments! Yana is always down to try out a new restaurant or the hottest happy hours, and she will travel for good food, good wine and great conversation! Yana shares life in the DMV with her husband of eight years and one son, who is a freshman in college.

FEDLINE “FED” CROWELL

Born in Haiti and raised in sunny Orlando, Florida, Fed is a proud Navy veteran who knows a thing or two about adventure—and great food! Fed is a self-proclaimed fitness, foodie, fragrance and skincare enthusiast, and
is always down for a good glass of wine or an afternoon of retail therapy. Fed shares life in the DMV with her husband of 17 years, four kids and one adorable granddaughter.

What inspired the start of “Wives and Wine “? 

We officially began five years ago during an impromptu trip to Charlottesville, Virginia. We needed a getaway from…LIFE. So we packed up my little Honda Civic, grabbed my Yorkie pup, and headed out for a little overnight trip about two hours from home. We sipped good, ate good, and slept! And then during brunch, the morning we were leaving, the question came up: “How many women could benefit from this kind of break?” So we started planning. Then COVID happened. After some regrouping, we officially relaunched in January 2025, and we’ve been doing what we do ever since! So, essentially, Wives & Wine was born out of a real need for connection, rest, and self-care. As Black women navigating marriage, careers, friendships, and everything in between, we realized there weren’t many spaces that felt both safe and fun—where we could show up as our full selves without performing or explaining. What started as casual wine nights, honest conversations, and an unforgettable weekend away turned into a vision for something bigger: a community where wine is the invitation, wellness is the foundation, and sisterhood is the goal.

What has been the biggest challenge of running a brand like ”   Wives and Wine “?

The biggest challenge has been balancing growth with intention. We are building something rooted in care, not hustle culture, and that means being thoughtful about how fast we move and what opportunities we say yes to. As Black women creators, we’re also constantly navigating visibility, fair compensation, and protecting our energy while building a brand from the ground up. Learning to move at our own pace—without shrinking the vision—has been a journey.

How does ”  Wives and Wine ” impact its local community?

At the local level, Wives & Wine creates spaces where women can genuinely connect offline. Through meetups, winery trips, and wellness-centered events, we bring women together who may not have crossed paths otherwise. We intentionally prioritize partnerships with BIPOC-owned wineries, wine brands, wellness practitioners, and creatives, as well as collaborators who demonstrate cultural awareness and respect for BIPOC communities, helping circulate support and dollars within the community. The impact is felt in the relationships formed, the collaborations sparked, and the sense of belonging our events foster.

How can women in particular benefit from what your brand has to offer? 

Women benefit from Wives & Wine by having permission to slow down and prioritize themselves—without guilt. Our content, events, and conversations center on real life: marriage, mental health, boundaries, joy, and rest. We offer a reminder that wellness doesn’t have to be rigid or exclusive. Sometimes it looks like movement and mindfulness, and sometimes it looks like laughter, community, and a really good glass of wine.

Where do you hope to see your brand in the next 3-5 years?

In the next three to five years, we see Wives & Wine as a globally recognized wellness and lifestyle brand. We envision hosting wine and wellness retreats in destinations around the world, expanding our digital community, and collaborating with brands that truly align with our values. Most importantly, we want to continue growing without losing the intimacy, authenticity, and joy that make Wives & Wine what it is.

What advice do you have for the next generation of entrepreneurs?

Build with intention and don’t rush the process. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. Learn the business side early, protect your creativity, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you deserve. Community matters; find people who will support you, challenge you, and grow with you. And remember, rest and self-care are not rewards; they’re requirements. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

What does being “Pretty and Black Owned” mean to you? 

Being “Pretty and Black Owned” means owning our brilliance, our softness, and our power, all at the same time. It’s about creating something beautiful and impactful while staying rooted in who we are and where we come from. It means we don’t have to choose between aesthetics and substance, joy and strategy, or success and authenticity. We get to be all of it. And that is the real flex.