What Champagne Has to Do with Credit Union Growth
What would champagne - especially an iconic French widow's take on it - possibly have to do with credit union growth? More than you might think.
At TwoScore, champagne isn't just something we pop when something great happens. It's a mindset. A metaphor. A reminder that the boldest dreams, whether they're poured into a flute or into your strategic plan - are often born from moments of great risk, deep belief, and relentless pursuit of quality.
The Legacy of Madame Clicquot
Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, better known as Madame Clicquot, was just 27 years old when she took over her late husband's struggling champagne house. In a time when women weren't allowed to own or run businesses - except as widows - she stepped into a role no one expected her to succeed in. But she didn't just survive. She innovated her way into history.
Madame Clicquot is responsible for three of the most important breakthroughs in champagne-making:
The riddling table - a tool that clarified champagne and became the gold standard for quality.
The first vintage champagne - made entirely from grapes of a single year, raising the bar for consistency and character.
The first brut rosé - created out of curiosity and craftsmanship.
But it wasn't just the product that made her brand iconic - it was how she brought it to market. She took risks. She moved fast. She cared about excellence in every detail. And because of that, Veuve Clicquot became synonymous with celebration around the world.
Sound familiar?
Credit Unions: The Underdog Innovators
Most credit unions weren't built with massive budgets or big marketing departments. They were started by teachers, factory workers, city employees, and nurses pooling their resources to serve one another and give them access to affordable financial services.
Like Madame Clicquot, they began with a bold idea - and a deeply personal mission. And like her, the most successful credit unions today are the ones that:
Innovate despite limitations
Focus on quality and relationships over volume
Believe their story is worth telling
You don't need to be the biggest to make the biggest impact. You need courage. You need a belief in the power of your purpose. And you need to be willing to take thoughtful risks.
That's why we work exclusively with small and mid-sized credit unions. Because we believe their size is their strength - and that their growth, like Madame Clicquot's legacy, is something worth toasting.
Growth Starts with Celebration
Here's another thing champagne teaches us: celebration is part of momentum.
Credit union growth doesn't just happen through campaigns, promotions, or KPIs on a board report. It happens when teams are united in a common mission - and when they feel connected to the wins along the way. Whether you're aiming for loan growth, more checking accounts, or deeper community engagement, every step forward deserves recognition.
When we celebrate the "small wins," we create the energy needed to keep going. And when we believe in the story we're building - one member, one goal, one solution at a time - we inspire others to believe in it too.
That's what we mean when we say champagne is a mindset. It's not about luxury. It's about Clarity. Bravery. Craftsmanship. And Belief. Just like the credit union movement we love.
Let's build something worth celebrating.
Read more of our story: https://twoscore.com/our-story