Educator Turns Entrepreneur To Create A "Destination, Not Just a Store’

Correction: Jo Ann Barney's first name was misspelled. We have corrected the error and apologize for making it.

Behind the walls of the oldest building in downtown Occoquan is the gourmet food and wine shop Tastefully Yours.

Entrepreneur Jo Ann Barney created the shop based on a memory she and her brother, Patrick, had when they were kids in Brooklyn, NY.  The Barneys would go from shop to shop buying all kinds of food based from different cultures. Those memories helped her fulfill her retirement dream to open her own store that is “a little bit of the old world, but now with the second or third generation running the shop.” 

Here is some of the interview with Jo Ann Barney:

Tell us about your business:

We love good food and good wine.  We like to bring to people the gourmet food experience, but at affordable prices. For something to be good it does not have to be at outlandish prices. There are products from all over the world, including wine from Europe, South Africa, Greece and Australia.  We try to bring a variety: a taste of Italy, a taste of Ireland or a taste of France. It might be wine, soup, gelatos jelly or soups. 

What distinguishes your business from others?

What makes us different from large stores, like grocery stores, is our interaction. Often people will come in and compare and share recipes. It’s kind of like neighbors.  We take time out for visitors and we have conversations and get to know them.  It’s like old friends coming back. 

How do you feel your background as an educator translates to the shop?

I’ve taught 47 years from kindergarten to high school, and my interaction with people on a daily basis carries over to my interaction with people at the shop. Also, as an educator you learn that you don’t treat children as miniature adults, but you treat them according to the personality that they have and you try to bring out that strength that is within them.  It might be creativity or compassion.  At the shop, we listen to our visitors and get to know them.  A lot of people come and just have a cup of coffee and sit and talk.

What is the most exciting thing about being and entrepreneur?

To see the growth in small steps. We will be open five years in May.  Today, we have our license to pay by the glass.  It’s adding the little things going from grinding the coffee beans in the beginning to actually serving a cup of coffee. It is the little steps of seeing the growth and seeing the store evolve over the years.

 What could be the most nerve wracking thing?

The wind and the rain when people don’t come into town, but I still know that if there is a windy and rainy day, brighter days will follow.  Also, giving the absolute best experience to anyone I encounter.  Anyone that leaves the shop, I want more than a satisfied experience.    

What is your motivation?

From a larger perspective I know that if my shop is successful, so are the other shops in Occoquan.  I would like to see Occoquan become more of a destination spot.  It is a jewel nestled between Prince William County and Fairfax County.  

What traits should successful entrepreneurs have?

Have a clear vision, purpose and identity.  Don’t stray from that because you can always venture and expand, but when you make too many sharp turns you lose your vision. Then have the determination to continue on that road, whether they are physical, emotional or financial obstacles.  If you want it, you have to keep going every single day.  Remember that if the sun wakes you up, it is already a great day. 

Other words of wisdom?

Be yourself and be true to what you believe in.  Be respectful of people and do unto others as you would have them do onto you. If you are spreading goodness, good things will happen to you. We have the right to our opinion, but not to force our opinion on others. 

Tastefully Yours is located at 406 Mill St. in the heart of downtown. The phone number is  703/499-8809.