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Hoping to Help
Story by Amy Strand

Like most 24-year-olds, Kristen Senseman is waist-deep in her second post-college job; but instead of starting at the bottom, she's already co-creator and owner of her own company, Hope Wine. Although Senseman admits she thought that family trips to Napa Valley were sometimes unexciting as a child, there’s no doubt that they catapulted her into the world of wine today. As vice president of public relations for Hope Wine, Senseman is the only Arizona representative for the California-based company.

Senseman, a graduate of Chaparral High School and the University of Arizona, is one of eight young entrepreneurs—all under 30—who started this virtuous vino business in 2007. "Hope Wine is called a charitable wine label because we donate 50 percent of our profits to our partner charities," she says.

Each wine varietal is linked to a particular cause. For instance, half of the proceeds from the chardonnay are donated to the Susan B. Komen Foundation; the cabernet profits go toward autism awareness; and sales from the merlot benefit AIDS research.

"More than just donating money, we really want it to be on a wine shelf and generate awareness so people know and learn more about it," she says.

Once distribution was established in Arizona in early 2008, Senseman moved from Southern California back to her Scottsdale hometown to expand the label statewide. This enthusiastic entrepreneur has certainly carried the success of the company with her; Hope Wine is now available at more than 15 venues in Arizona and has been featured at numerous charity events.

Senseman's do-good demeanor has been a part of her life since childhood. From crafting Valentine's Day cards for the elderly in elementary school to her involvement with the Make-a-Wish Foundation during college, Senseman says the altruistic activities required of her throughout school built the foundation for her charitable perspective.

She recalls meeting a three-time breast cancer survivor at a recent Hope Wine event; the gratitude the woman expressed toward the company's causes left a lasting impression on Senseman. "[I love] all the charity events that we do; just being able to get out and be face-to-face with our consumers and tell them our story [is my favorite part]," she says. "I feel so blessed that I can combine my love for wine and my love for giving back all in the same job."

Although Senseman is tremendously upbeat, her quest to make the world a better place has not always been an easy one. "One of the biggest obstacles is our age; when you walk into a place, some people don't take you seriously," she says. However, by the end of 2009, Hope Wine projects that it will donate over $900,000 to charities nationwide. With serious numbers like that, we can’t wait to see how Senseman’s wine changes lives next.