2008 40 Under 40 Honoree: Matt Bekebrede

Matt Bekebrede figured he should reap the rewards of his own hard work.

“I definitely wanted to own my own business,” says the owner of Vino 100 wine store on West Republic Road.

Bekebrede’s early vision of self-employment was opening a child-care educational center. His first three years in college were spent working toward an education degree so he could teach kindergarten before launching such a business.

But the restaurant business pulled him in instead. Bekebrede had worked in his family’s restaurant during high school, and he continued in the field during college, working his way into a management position at Chardonnay Restaurant while he was still in school.

Bekebrede worked in management at both Chateau on the Lake in Branson and Millwood Golf & Racquet Club in Ozark before venturing out on his own as a franchisee for Philadelphia-based Vino 100, which offers more than 100 wine labels, cigars and gourmet food.

He’s specific when it comes to pinpointing his proudest professional accomplishment – April 19, 2007, the opening night of Vino 100.

“It was a very rewarding feeling to see that all of the work finally paid off and my dream of opening my own business had finally come through,” he says.

Bekebrede estimates that he and his staff know 75 percent of their customers by name. “We’ve met a lot of good people since we’ve opened,” he says.

Bekebrede is excited that his store won a national promotion with Wines of South Africa out of about 50 other stores. He flies to South Africa in late September for a tour of wine country and a conference.

In the community, Bekebrede believes in leading by example and giving back. Within weeks of opening last year, Vino 100 donated $1,000 to Developmental Center of the Ozarks and continues to partner with the organization.

Bekebrede’s store also has contributed to American Diabetes Association, Springfield Jaycees, Springfield Rotaract, Habitat for Humanity and Junior League of Springfield.

Personally, Bekebrede takes pride in watching his 11-year-old daughter, Mariah, grow up. After living in Utah, she now lives in Fayetteville, Ark.

“She’s the greatest thing in my life, for sure,” he says.

Double Play

Birth date: April 26, 1980

Family: I am very close to my family … . My daughter, Mariah, is 11 (and) is my pride and joy. We have a blast together. We enjoy anything to do with water, especially time at the lake. I have one brother and three sisters (and) six nieces. I am by far closest to my mother. She is a wonderful person and has been a big inspiration to me.

Philosophy to live/work by: I am a very passionate person, regardless of what I am doing … I put everything I have into it. Back in my restaurant days, Kirk Elmquist instilled the “Go big or go home” philosophy. (I) try to carry that over … at the store.

In a fantasy world, what professional sport would you play? Well, I would probably say basketball, although I am way too short, not to mention not good enough.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.