Bartending & Staffing (Licensed & Certified)

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Dont look for perfection, always look for clean fingernails and clean clothes. Hire someone who looks you in the eye. Hire someone who can give you a straight answer and to the point. Dont hire someone who gives you the longest explanation to every question you ask. Make sure u get prood of their credentials. A great rule of thumb, always look and listen for someone who trys to find out what you want and someone who not only talks about giving you just that but physically gives it to you. Make sure you get references. Try and find if they have fullfilled their last clients wishes and see if they went above and beyond. Dont hire someone who does all the talking.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. How to give advise to every person who asks for it at the bar. Secret? Lots. Pretend like you know every drink ever created and that you have the answer to every problem a customer has thrown at you.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Are you certified to bartend in "Georgia"?
Are you licensed?
Are you Bonded?
Are you Insured? How much?
Do you have a minimum hours worked per event?
Are your bartender's TIPS certified?
Do you charge service fee's? Travel? Gas?
Do you have a Georgia State Alcohol license?
Do you have any flair bartenders? If so do you charge extra for those per hour?
Do you provide supplies and bar tools?
Do you provide the uniforms? Theme events?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Make sure you know what type of celebration it is going to be. Is it formal,or casual.Is it a theme party?What do you want the servers and bartenders to wear?Does all your guest drink or do you need some non-alcohol drinks? How many guests are coming? Is it going to be a cash bar or are you going to pay for it? Do you want to allow a tip jar or do you want to pay the tip at the end? How long is the event? Where is going to be? Do you need to get permits? Are there any location permits to obtain? Lots of things play a part...these are some of the most important.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I attend every event. I also answer every email and every phone call myself. I never have someone else handle my clients. I always give one on one service. We are family operated. I am dedicated to providing a great time for the people attending the party. I put my heart and soul into the nights event from the picking of which bartenders/servers i hire to the clean up at the end of the night. I give 110% from the 1st contact to the last guest leaves. I will make sure every adult and child enjoys themselves always.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love the creativity, and the people. When u get those 2 together you can only be amazed at what you can accomplish. Sometimes i meet the most interesting people they make my job so easy and fun. I find myself not wanting to leave. I love when they want me to get involved...like dragging my on the dance floor or toasting me over and over. I love the anniversary parties, they always give me hope that someday i will be celebrating at my own party.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Will you marry me? Ask me tomorrow!!!

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I am really great at what i do, not that i say i am. i can prove it. I am most confidant when im bartending/serving.I cant describe how happy i am when i work. its amazing the feelings i have when im on the floor. I feel like no matter what goes wrong everywhere else in my life as long as im serving everything will be ok. My profession is the best...I can socialize and create to of the things i love the most. I love being with the customers its like no other. When u r in a bad mood your customers can always bring you back up where you should be. Its never the same.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. It is about 1 of the only professions that can be done at night and is LEGAL.LOL When i first started doing this my children were small so i needed a job where i could work at night and be home with them during the day. I also needed a job where i could make lots of cash. Bartending and waitressing fit both bills. Here i am 20years later.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I was a bartender for a Valentine party in Alpharetta, Ga for a company called Showbiz Media. They told me they wanted to hire a young,pretty, and skinny bartender but she backed out. Well, that made me angry and hurt. By the end of the night they apologized and admitted they were glad that the other bartender did not show. They were so impressed with my performance they have booked another party with me of 300 people for this month. I was very proud of the job i did and i proved not only was i a very goodlooking 40year old (not that that matters) but that i was the best bartender for the job.
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Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Yes, i take every class offered to stay up on the latest. I also go by bars and talk with bartenders to see what kids are asking for these days. i want to make sure i know the current drinks. i make sure i am certified in everything i need. TIPS and PSCC, SERVSAFE are some of the cources.I talk with other mobile bartenders to make sure my rates are competative. I visit and speak with event planners and wedding planners to see what brides are wanting now and what clients are asking for their guests to experience at their parties. I want to make sure i am doing everything i need to do to stay current with the times. I also try to get involved in as many charity events as possible.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. I am starting a new business called "All about the Bride", basically I am a lady in waiting for brides. I offer differant packages so depending on which ones you purchase, dictates how much of my services you require. For example:1 package is just for the day of the wedding, 2nd package is for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding, each package requires more of my time. I love it and the brides seem to really appreciate it. I also offer honeymoon baskets and wedding night picnic baskets. They are so sweet and very romantic.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. i dont think its complicated. i have reserched this profession from New York,Washington,Dallas and Miami and finally to here. I am charging $30 an hour per bartender. That is the competitive rate in all these states. I have to be fair and also make a living. I require 4 hours minimum. Smaller events like 75 or less depending on the circumstance, i will do it for less if im the only one working.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. I have extra cash set aside to get started. Be prepared to not really make a profit for at least a year sometimes more.Make sure you know the laws in your state and make sure you protect yourself. You can be held responsible for any accidents that happen inside or outside the event. #1 Knowledge of the alcohol and tobacco laws, make sure your client knows that you will not serve underage guests under no circumstances.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Do i service adult parties and lesian/gay parties? Yes, i do. I have learned long ago to have an open mind. Not only do i operate my business like this but my personal life as well. My brother was very much a part of that world & i respected him and his lifestyle. I have no right to judge or to turn down business just because of their lifestyle. They are members of society and contribute just as much if not more in some communtities. Midtown in Atlanta is one of the most financially stable communities and is made up of primarily gay/lesbian citizens. They contribute quite heavily to my business. I love it and will continue to service that community.