The accountant was blunt when Ken Fielding told him he was opening up a winery.
“Are you mental? Why not just go out and buy a couple cases of wine?” But the one thing the accountant hadn’t taken into consideration was the golden touch of business visionary Ken Fielding.
He got in on the ground floor when Subway sandwiches started franchising and helped open 237 stores. His son Curtis was racing in the CASCAR circuit but during his off times would work on a farm. When his father started talking about a winery, Curtis was intrigued. That was six years ago and now Fielding Estate Winery is turning a profit, their wines are winning numerous awards and even the skeptical accountant is impressed.
As Ken prepares to hand the reins of the business over to Curtis, he is looking towards the future and creating new ventures.
His advice? “Buy a franchise. You have to stick with it. A lot of people quit too soon.”
From sub sandwiches and stock cars to award-winning Canadian wine, Ken and Curtis Fielding have taken the checkered flag and are on their way to the winner’s circle.
