Meet Curtis Collins Of 'Collins Ave'

The world of spirits is always on the move! The industry has long been a reflection of culture, craftsmanship, and evolving taste and in today’s landscape, it’s changing faster than ever. New trends pop up, old classics get reimagined, and fresh faces step in with bold ideas. Champagne, in particularly, has seen a shift in recent years with more creative, culturally-driven brands stepping into the spotlight. One of the newcomers making waves is Curtis Collins, the founder of Collins Ave Champagne. I had the pleasure of speaking with Curtis about the inspiration behind the brand, the story it tells, what’s next for this new venture, and more. Check it out below!

DH: What’s up, bro? Tell the people a little bit about yourself and your background.

CC: My name is Curtis Collins, owner and founder of Collins Ave. I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. I have a background in Professional Talent Management and Brand Marketing. I received my degree in Marketing from Notre Dame College and briefly played football professionally.

DH: Talk about a transition! Sports and spirits are two very distinct lanes…so how did Collins Ave come about? Where does the name come from? What got you into this industry?

CC: Collins Ave came about while I was in Miami for a dear friend’s bachelor party. I was actually on Collins Ave in Miami celebrating my friend’s accomplishment. In the moment, I realized that I was putting too much money in someone else’s pockets to celebrate moments meant for my people. I put Collins Ave together from my personal experiences and desire to own my own brand and turned it into a business inspiration.

DH: Love it. That very relatable! So with that being your thought process behind creating the brand, how do you want people to feel when they drink Collins Ave? What emotions do you want it to evoke?

CC: I want them to feel purposeful and important…Like any dream is possible when they drink Collins Ave because of the networking that comes from hard working people like them.

DH: An empowering drink! Who can’t get behind that? Now, I’m sure none of this has been easy. What’s been the toughest part of the process so far? & What has it taught you about yourself in general?

CC: I’d definitely say funding a company by yourself as a small brand and start up. Also, just getting that recognition and attention to grow and build organically. I’ve learned that although it’s challenging at times, you don’t have to compromise the creativeness of your brand for financial gains.

DH: Very sound advice. & Super relevant in the times we live in. That mindset will definitely take you far. Speaking of, what’s your long term vision for Collins Ave? Where do you see it in 5 years? 20 years?

CC: I want to build the headquarters for Collins Ave in Indianapolis. I want to bring jobs and opportunities to the city and its economy. I want to open a lounge in 3 major cities in North America, using the Collins Ave name. I want to open a vineyard in Champagne France, owned and operated by Collins Ave. Also, I eventually want us to own our own Formula 1 team or sponsor one with our brand and logos.

DH: That’s fire! I admire how committed you are to giving back to your city. Judging by what you’ve already accomplished and the goals you have set for the future…it’s safe to say that you have a very solid team behind you, right? Are there any special people you want to thank?

CC: Absolutely. I want to thank my whole staff for there constant contributions to the company. In specific, Natalie Blackmon and Saphyre Franklin are the operations behind Collins Ave.

DH: Solid. Teamwork always make the dream work. Besides having a strong team behind you, is there any advice you would want to give to anybody looking to start a business similar to yours?

CC: For sure, a few things. First, stop marketing your business to your hometown. They are not your target audience initially. Travel and build relationships outside your normal friend groups and circles. Next, I would say learn to speak two commonly used languages. It’ll come in handy. Lastly, make sure you have something to offer once you do get a seat at the tables you’re hoping to be at.

DH: Louder for the people in the back. In that same vein, is there a quote that you live by that sort of encompasses your journey so far?

CC: “You’ll miss every shot you don’t take.”

DH: Classic…and ALWAYS applicable. Curtis, I’d like to thank you for your time and words of wisdom. I’m wishing you and Collins Ave all the success in the future!

As Curtis continues to push boundaries and set a new standard for what modern champagne can be, Collins Ave stands as a symbol of vision, creativity, and refined taste. The future is bright…and it’s bubbling! To learn more about Collins Ave or to purchase a bottle (or two), visit their site here and be looking out for a pop up in your city!

Meet Curtis Collins: Owner & Founder Of The New Champagne Brand ‘Collins Ave’  was originally published on globalgrind.com