Today we’d like to introduce you to Love Lawrence.
Hi Love, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Love Lawrence, and at 33, I’m the founder of two deeply meaningful ventures in the Central Florida area: Amour Du Vin wine bar (based in Orange City) and the non-profit Faye’s Pillars of Hope (based in Deltona). Both of these roles are driven by a singular, powerful motivation: honoring the love and memory of my family.
Amour Du Vin, which means “Love of Wine,” is more than just a place to enjoy a great vintage; it is Orange City’s first wine bar owned by a woman of color and a physical manifestation of hope. The idea was sparked during one of the hardest periods of my life—when my father was diagnosed with kidney cancer. That crisis was a profound reminder of life’s fragility and the urgency of pursuing joy and community. Launching Amour Du Vin was my way of creating something beautiful and comforting for others, inspired by the strength I saw in my father. Every successful night at the bar is a tribute to him and a commitment to making him proud.
My other passion is Faye’s Pillars of Hope. This non-profit organization, which serves the Deltona community and beyond, was founded in memory of my sister, Faye, who passed away from cancer. Losing her was devastating, but I channeled that grief into a mission to support others who are facing similar battles. Faye’s Pillars of Hope works to provide essential support—practical, emotional, and financial—to families navigating illness and loss, ensuring they have the resources my sister deserved.
These two paths, the entrepreneurial and the philanthropic, are completely intertwined. They are the twin legacies of my greatest loves. My father and my sister are, simply put, my why. Everything I do, from pouring a glass of wine to organizing a community support event, is built on the foundation they gave me. I strive every day to make them proud by carrying forward their spirit of resilience and unconditional love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. The deepest strains comes from my non-profit, Faye’s Pillars of Hope. Despite its vital mission, we struggle constantly to secure corporate sponsorships and external grants. The lack of support means that I frequently self-fund the majority of our community events and direct aid to keep the mission alive. It’s challenging to pour my own capital into the non-profit while simultaneously sustaining the bar, but the work is too important to stop.
Adding to the complexity, Amour Du Vin itself sometimes struggles to gain the sustained local community support it needs. Despite being a unique, sophisticated space and a landmark business for Orange City, there are moments when, for reasons I can only speculate on, the local clientele doesn’t show up consistently. I often feel like I am fighting twice as hard to prove the value and necessity of a wine bar like ours.
These struggles, however, only solidified my purpose. The difficulties I face in business and philanthropy—from constant fundraising to seeking consistent local patronage—remind me daily of the sheer strength my family demonstrated.
We’ve been impressed with Amour Du Vin (Wine Bar) Faye’s Pillars of Hope (nonprofit), but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that both of my ventures are built on authenticity and direct community impact.
Amour Du Vin is set apart by its mission to offer a welcoming, curated wine experience that Orange City simply didn’t have before. What makes us unique is that we create a low-pressure, educational, and high-quality atmosphere. We intentionally curate wines from smaller, family-owned wineries, bringing a collection that helps challenge the local status quo. When you visit Amour Du Vin, you aren’t just buying a glass of wine—you’re supporting a business committed to community growth and representation.
Faye’s Pillars of Hope stands out because our support is immediate and personal, centered around family wellness and community development. We aren’t focused on massive-scale research; instead, we concentrate on the practical, human needs of families in Central Florida. This is demonstrated through our diverse programs, including feeding families at the Ronald McDonald House, providing free Zumba classes, organizing faith-based activities, and hosting health, wellness, and financial literacy workshops. We focus on closing the gaps that other large organizations might overlook. The fact that I primarily self-fund our operations means nearly every donation we receive goes directly to the people who need it most, helping them build long-term resilience. Our ultimate goal is to build a wellness/resource center that also has affordable housing units on the property.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like the most: Deltona is very family friendly and a safe place to raise children and build a family. My least favorite thing is lack of things to do and places to eat.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fayespillarsofhope.com and www.amourduvin.net
