Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah DePasquale . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Sarah , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
The Unbridled Bar was the first rig based mobile bar company in Jacksonville and I honestly never saw it has a negative thing when we were building. When we were nearing completion I started trying to get in front of potential clients, venues and planners and discovered being the new kid (and concept) in town may be a bit harder then I thought. The wedding industry can feel very small (even though its really not) venues and planners have loyalty to certain vendors. Proving that you are even good enough to be considered an asset in any field is hard but add in a 3,5oo pound horse trailer bar that no one has seen before… It added a bit of a challenge for sure
The Unbridled Bar was welcomed by wedding couples almost immediately thanks to the popularity they were gaining nationwide on Instagram and Pinterest. Couples were booking but planners and some venues could not see the value of a mobile bar. They were used to years and years of the industry standard boring bars or caterers mindlessly staffing bars and it being a second thought to their food. I was here to change all of that. I want your bar to be an EXPERIENCE, one that has your guests talking for months to come. I wanted to up the bar standards, concentrate on fresh seasonal craft cocktails all while promoting a warm and welcoming vibe with top notch bartenders who can crack a bad joke and make a hell of a drink.
I kept my head down and just kept pushing. Styled shoots were so important to my journey to being successful. They are great way to network with other vendors, create beautiful content, and start relationships with venues. I sent out little gifts to planners, was happy to answer ANY questions, and drove myself to every venue The Unbridled Bar would fit in and introduced myself and my company to them in person. I have learned that people cannot find value in your services, if you cant. If you are feeling imposter syndrome sneaking in, block out what it is that makes you feel that way. I follow a whopping 5 other mobile bars on social media. 5. Why? Because it was can drive me crazy watching and comparing my journey to someone else. Its not healthy. You have to value and feel confident in your product/business for someone else to do so. You have to love your business before someone else can.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Sarah and I am what hospitality people call a “lifer”. I started working in restaurants at 18 and fell in love with the industry. I have been a bartender now for 25 years and am happy to now own my own. I worked in all aspects of front of house hospitality and traveled across the country doing so. Six years ago I decided to try to open my own event based bar catering business, Two months later went all in creating a horse trailer bar and a year later, added a second. I hit the ground running determined to make it work and I haven’t looked back yet!! Its been my full time job for the last 4 years and I am still so in love with it. I really adore the wedding industry. I love every couple I meet, their guests and the fact that every night is different. I Its amazing to me that people pick my company to be a part of a day that is so important to them. Also, I have met some of the most bad ass women entrepreneurs in this industry and that is such a great feeling to know you are surrounded by girls working just as hard as you.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Multitasking. The number one thing I do is two or three things at once. An event day is no less then 8 million moving parts. Without the ability to multitask there is no way I could do what I do. The best way to learn to multitask and do it well is be a server. If you have any though of being in hospitality in any way shape or form, be a server first. Learn how to deal with multiple people, from all backgrounds, in a high stress environment. This is a life skill I wish more people had
Being a nice person. A genuine nice, not a fake it till you pay me nice. Find a connection with each client. Take the time to small talk, ask about the kids or their pets. I have gained so many clients turned friends and they have became my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. Foster actual human relationships inside your day to day business relationships.
Organization. Before I started my own company I was kind of organized at best. Now I make lists, use apps, programs, planners, more lists and sticky notes to keep track of EVERTHING. Being organized helps me manage my stress levels, keep things clean, and sleep at nigh
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
This may be an unpopular opinion but I hate the term “ideal clients”. In the wedding industry you here this term a lot. Vendors are hosting styled shoots to attract their “ideal clients”, They are specifically marketing to a certain demographic that is wealthy ( lets be honest), beautiful, trendy and getting married in unique locations. They are marketing to these “ideal clients” but are losing out on real connections to potential couples who love their work or product but feel like they may not fit their client mold. If they value a bar experience, can afford my fees, and are in my travel area, they are my ideal client. The Unbridled Bar promotes a warm and inviting experience for any guest or client. period.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.divinespiritsbartending.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunbridledbar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinespiritsbartending
Image Credits
Steffanie Keeler Mellissa Wright Photography Ashley Dye Photography
