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

Hi Lauren, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I love this question because it sparked a rapid sequence of thoughts for me. My knee jerk reaction is to say, “I’m not in a creative career.” But why do I feel that way? I think it’s a misconception I have because how I have chosen to express my creativity over the years has evolved.

I used to enjoy playing music, film photography, videography, writing, journaling, cooking, etc etc etc. I look back at how creative I used to be and I am actually disappointed in myself today for not making time for those things. Those creative releases that used to be so cathartic are not a priority in my life right now. However, I have to acknowledge that I am still creative in so many ways. Maybe I don’t have as much free time to pursue those hobbies, but I certainly approach my work with just as much creativity. Curating a wine selection and pairing menu is certainly an art. Designing a space and a brand takes an aesthetic eye. Ideating, planning, and executing events is a form of expression for me, and currently the way I scratch that itch the most. I have a tendency to idealize the past and not appreciate elements of the present. Taking a step back, being mindful and reflective of what you are doing and the value it brings, and giving yourself due credit is sometimes hard in the go-go-go life of an entrepreneur. Pondering over this question has given me some space to process and appreciate that, which is pretty fantastic.

Like anything, you can approach your work formulaically or creatively. Wine is inherently an art, but it is easy to drain the art from it and many people do. I don’t feel like I intentionally chose a creative career. I followed a passion, which is wine and hospitality, and every day I choose to be creative in my process. I can’t help it. It’s like asking why you breathe. It just happens. It is a compulsion to make things feel balanced, enjoyable, cohesive, but to also challenge people, prompt them to think, and be open to something new. I want everything I present to the world to be an experience. I want it to evoke emotions, feelings, and create memories.

I don’t know if I want to work in wine and hospitality forever. Opening my own wine bar and retail shop was the latest challenge for me and I’m loving every minute of it. But I can’t imagine that I won’t stumble upon something else in the future that excites me. Regardless of what that next move is, I hope to approach it with a ton of creativity, treat it as my art form, and use it to bring joy and beauty to others.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Joui Wine opened in December of 2023. We sell retail wine, have a full bar, and serve beautiful small plates. Beyond just offering wine, I want it to be a place for the community. We really focus on hosting and curating events such as happy hours, bridal showers, dance parties, burlesque shows, yoga, live bands, and so much more. Our monthly subscription-based wine club (called ‘The Dose’) is a way to push people outside of their comfort zone, try something new, and learn in the process. We host weekly wine flights, competitive blind tasting every Thursday night, guest chefs for wine dinners, food trucks, and pop up nights.

Joui is a creative space that exists for the benefit of the downtown Dayton community. It doesn’t fit within the constraints of a single label or category. This keeps things exciting, but challenging. My team and I are constantly having to learn new things and roll with the punches. I think this desire to keep pushing ourselves is what sets us apart- and also drives me a little bit crazy at times. It’s never easy, but easy things aren’t often worth doing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To see: Dayton Art Institute, The Contemporary, Lore storytelling, Wegerzyn Gardens, movie at The Neon, a show at the Schuster Center

To do: Surf Dayton, bike paths (they are so wonderful in the Dayton area!), Speakeasy yoga, walk through Woodland Cemetery, day trip to Yellow Springs for Haha Pizza, Young’s Jersey Dairy, the sunflower fields, and Peifer Orchards

To eat: Sueño and The Pine Club for upscale dinner, Silver Slipper for drinks and apps, Grist and Tony & Pete’s for lunch, Salt Block and The Ugly Duckling for breakfast, and definitely all of the wonderful, underrated mom & pop places on the east side of 3rd St (some of the best Mexican spots in the city, in my opinion)

To drink: Tender Mercy and Century Bar for cocktails. I’m also a dive bar kind of girl, and am always looking to stop into some place I’ve driven my a million times, never heard anything about, and don’t know what to expect.

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?
I am grateful for so many people that have been gracious enough to invest their time, love, and faith in me.

Working for Chef Nancy Silverton was a pivotal moment in my life which solidified that wine was my thing. Returning back to Dayton to work with Chris Dimmick, Ginger Roddick, and David Kittredge of The Idea Collective propelled my career and gave me the experience and confidence to take a leap of faith into owning my own business. Lisa Crum, my advisor through the SBDC, has been instrumental in making my business a reality. Of course, my friends, family, parents, and brother have been there through the ups and downs to help celebrate, console lend advice, and occasionally a little manual labor. My partner Mo is my rock, a successful entrepreneur, and a creative visionary that I admire and hope to emulate. My biggest advantage in life is my community of support, and I am grateful for that every day.

Website: https://jouiwine.com

Instagram: @jouiwine

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-gay-556b6965/

Facebook: Joui Wine

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/joui-wine-dayton?osq=joui+wine

Image Credits
Jon Morton Studios
Austin Shell- Crucible Media
Cole Carpenter Visual Art
Zest Cincy

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutOhio 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.