Born and raised in Chicago, Mindy Trafman studied elementary education with an emphasis on art education at Northern Illinois University. While attending school and teaching, Mindy was bit by the restaurant bug. Working a decade with Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, she opened several restaurants from Chicago to LA, worked another decade with Debra Sharp's rock & roll catering and restaurant group, she developed a love for hospitality. It was at Cru Wine Bar where her passion for wine and food began to grow. She explored wine further by teaching classes at Chicago's Loyola University while running the Lush Wine and Spirits shops, which led her to become a sommelier.