Meet Eddie Hsia

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eddie Hsia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eddie, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

“Mixed By Eddie” began as a personal passion that quickly turned into a business driven by creativity, flavor, and a love for bringing people together. I’ve always been fascinated by cocktails—not just the taste, but the art behind crafting something truly unique. What started as mixing drinks for friends and family evolved into a deeper pursuit of creating drinks that aren’t just beverages, but experiences.

As I honed my skills, I realized I wanted to share more than just the drink; I wanted to add a layer of entertainment and visual appeal to my craft. It wasn’t enough for a cocktail to taste great—it had to look and feel like an event in itself. I began to experiment with presentation, integrating bold garnishes, vibrant colors, and even a bit of flair behind the bar.

Eventually, “Mixed By Eddie” was born. My goal is to offer clients an experience where each cocktail tells a story—crafted with care, served with style, and leaving a lasting impression. Whether it’s a private event, wedding, or special occasion, I bring a sense of excitement and artistry to every pour. What started as a hobby has grown into a full-blown venture, and I’m excited to continue sharing my passion for cocktails with everyone who values creativity, flavor, and a little bit of fun.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

“Mixed By Eddie” started as a vision to combine my passion for bartending with a desire to bring a unique twist to the experience of cocktails. I wanted to craft not just drinks, but moments—adding a bit of entertainment and flair to the art of mixology. My journey began by experimenting with flavors, ingredients, and presentation. As I perfected my cocktails, I realized that what sets them apart is how they look just as much as how they taste. Each drink became a blend of visual creativity and taste, designed to captivate and delight. I knew I wanted my business to reflect this, offering a service that combines top-tier cocktails with a show-stopping experience for my clients. From the first sip to the last drop, “Mixed By Eddie” is all about elevating the cocktail experience and making every event unforgettable.

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?

Looking back on my journey with Mixed By Eddie, three key qualities have been essential in shaping the business and helping me navigate through its growth.

1. Creativity
The foundation of Mixed By Eddie has always been to deliver more than just drinks—it’s about creating an experience. From day one, I focused on crafting visually stunning and uniquely flavored cocktails that would leave a lasting impression on my clients. I didn’t want my cocktails to simply taste good; I wanted them to be a form of entertainment. Whether it was incorporating unexpected ingredients or creating a drink that changes colors, creativity has been my signature approach. It’s what keeps my audience excited and intrigued, and it’s also what sets my business apart in a competitive market.

2. Adaptability
Running a mobile bar is not always predictable. Every event is different, and I’ve had to adapt to everything from changes in venue space to last-minute adjustments in the guest list. The ability to stay calm, think on my feet, and pivot when things don’t go according to plan has been crucial. For example, during a particularly busy wedding, I ran out of a key ingredient halfway through the night. Instead of letting it derail the event, I improvised a new cocktail using what was on hand, and it ended up being one of the most talked-about drinks of the evening. Flexibility has allowed me to turn potential setbacks into opportunities, and it’s a skill I’ve honed over time.

3. Building Relationships
The journey wouldn’t be where it is today without the connections I’ve made along the way. Whether it’s the personal relationship I build with clients, collaborating with other vendors, or networking with influencers, knowing how to build and maintain relationships has been key. People don’t just remember how good the drink was; they remember how you made them feel, the energy you brought, and the personalized touch you provided. Word-of-mouth referrals have become a significant part of my business growth, and they come from fostering genuine, positive relationships.

These three qualities—creativity, adaptability, and relationship-building—have not only guided me through challenges but also helped me create a brand that is authentic to who I am as a bartender and entertainer. They’ve been the driving forces behind Mixed By Eddie’s success, and I carry these lessons with me as I continue to grow the business.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

In the past 12 months, Mixed By Eddie has undergone significant growth, but the area where I’ve seen the biggest improvement is in scaling the business while maintaining quality. When I first started, the business was more intimate, with smaller events and a handful of clients. As word spread and demand grew, I found myself juggling larger events, multiple bookings in a day, and managing more complex logistics. At first, it felt overwhelming—I was used to focusing on the craft, perfecting every cocktail with care and attention. Scaling meant I had to delegate more and streamline processes, which required a major shift in my approach.

The turning point came when I realized I couldn’t do everything myself. I had to trust in a team to help deliver the same level of service and quality that I promised my clients. This meant investing in training, developing systems for efficiency, and letting go of the control I had over every small detail. It was a challenge to maintain the same personal touch I’d become known for, while growing the operation.

One of the key changes I made was implementing systems that would ensure consistency. For example, I developed detailed prep lists, standardized cocktail recipes, and trained my team on both the technical and presentation aspects of my drinks. I also learned to streamline logistics—everything from setting up mobile bars quickly to ensuring we had enough supplies for events without overstocking.

Another big area of growth has been the business side of things. Initially, I was focused almost entirely on the creative side—coming up with new cocktail ideas, experimenting with flavors, and creating entertainment. Over the past year, though, I’ve sharpened my business acumen. I’ve started paying closer attention to cost management, event pricing, and marketing strategies. I set clearer goals for revenue and tracked metrics more closely to ensure I was running a sustainable operation while still delivering the unique experience my clients expect.

Learning to balance creativity with efficiency has been my greatest area of improvement over the past 12 months. It’s allowed Mixed By Eddie to take on larger events, more clients, and ultimately grow while still preserving the quality and flair that has always been at the heart of the business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mixedbyeddie.com
• Instagram: mixed_by_eddie