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Kyla Kirkpatrick

Chief Executive Officer

Kyla Kirkpatrick - CEO and Founder, Emperor Champagne





Professional Background


Kyla Kirkpatrick is CEO and founder of Emperor Champagne and The Champagne Dame. With a Commerce and Arts degree from Melbourne University, her career began in finance, including a role at NASDAQ in London. In 2005, her passion for history and champagne led her to France, where she studied the region's unique legacy. She reinvented herself, becoming a brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy’s Champagne brands before founding The Champagne Dame in 2008, offering educational masterclasses.

Emperor Champagne


  • Business Scope: Emperor Champagne is an online retailer specializing in champagne, with offices in Australia and Singapore. The company not only retail quality artisanal champagnes but also imports them, expanding its import portfolio significantly.

  • Key Achievements:

  • Sales Performance: Launched in November 2017, Emperor Champagne reported over AUD 200,000 in sales within the first eight weeks. Recent statistics show increased sales up by 150% month on month, and a 235% rise from March 2019, with some weeks seeing a 400% increase in April 2020.

  • Market Position: Emperor Champagne ranks second in Google visibility for online champagne sales, just after Dan Murphy’s.

  • Customer Retention: A 62% average return rate and stellar customer service with a conversion rate of 3.7% affirm strong market performance.

  • Notable Initiatives: The Fizztopia online store offers a curated selection of craft beers, ciders, seltzers, sparkling wines, and non-alcoholic drinks. Emperor Champagne also created quarantine boxes, including essentials like Champagne, chocolate, and toilet paper, catering to customer needs during COVID-19.


Highlights and Events


  • Educator and Ambassador: Kyla has hosted Champagne Masterclasses and educational tours to the Champagne region.

  • Public Speaking: Frequently involved in presenting at renowned events such as The Good Food and Wine Show and has been featured on SKY News Weekend Edition.

  • Special Events: Hosted the launch of La Grande Année Vintage 2015 in partnership with Bollinger and celebrated iconic champagne releases.

  • Response to COVID-19: Despite the pandemic impacting in-person events severely, Emperor Champagne achieved unprecedented growth, driven by strategic pivots, enhanced logistical operations, and an expanded product offer tailored to customer needs during lockdown.


Strategic Vision


  • Domestic Focus: Emphasis on improving packaging, faster delivery, expanding product range, and enhancing customer experience.

  • International Expansion: Developing models for franchise or license partnerships to scale Emperor’s business globally.

  • Operational Efficiency: Increasing internal efficiencies and customer engagement through personal touches in the online experience, maintaining closeness to customer feedback.


Challenges and Adaptations


  • Business Challenges: The significant disruption caused by COVID-19 required rapid adaptation, cancelling numerous events but pivoting online retail operations.

  • Strategic Pivoting: Leveraged the shift in market conditions to focus on e-commerce growth, identifying and implementing new revenue channels, marketing strategies, and customer service improvements.


Personal Philosophy


Kyla Kirkpatrick’s approach to business is rooted in passion, perseverance, and continuous reinvention. She values historical stories and traditions associated with champagne and leverages this to create compelling customer experiences. Her favorite guiding principle, a quote from Winston Churchill, reflects her enduring drive: “Success is never final. Failure is not fatal. It is having the courage to continue that counts.”

Kyla's journey from finance to becoming an esteemed figure in the champagne industry is marked by her entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and innovative strategies, making her a notable leader in her field.