Meet Kristen Cumiskey

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristen Cumiskey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kristen, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

While planning my own wedding, we were in need for a bar service. Come to find out, one did not exist in St. Augustine. After a quick discussion about it with my friend Alicia Lane, we decided we had the experience, skills, and determination to start our own. In 2014, The Perfect Pour was created. We did not expect our business to grow as fast as it did. Clients were creating events just to have a reason to hire a mobile bartender. It was a new, fresh idea, and reason to party. Not only did we find a purpose in the community, I found my purpose in life. I love being part of so many peoples core memories helping to create the wedding or event of their dreams.

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?

Whether you are currently engaged and going through the process, a past bride who is now in their Wifey Era, or a Mother of the Bride wondering when her daughter will settle down, you know how much fun planning a wedding is. And most people have attended a wedding or event where you laughed, ate way too much cake, and danced the night away. Imagine you get to do that all the time, and make a living out of it. It brings me so much joy to be a part of so many love stories. The smiles on our couples faces as they make their grand exit as husband and wife is why I do what I do.

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?

Problem Solver – The wedding and event industry is very unpredictable. You have to be quick on your toes and create solutions to unexpected, stressful situations. When a crisis hits, I have the communication skills and leadership qualities needed to fix the problem.

Genuine – I like to treat all clients with respect and honesty. I like to get their trust up front and let them know they aren’t just $$$ to me. If something is not necessary, or there is a better way to do it, I will let them know. I truly care about making sure its their best day ever.

Creative – I like to step outside the box and come up with different events for marketing purposes, fundraising and fun. One example is our annual Christmas Movie Night. Sort of like a drive in, but with a blow up screen and lawn chairs in front of the barn. The event I am most proud of are the Mock Weddings. 5 times I hosted these events to show potential clients how awesome a wedding at the barn is. What better way to tour a venue than to experience a wedding first hand. Way better than chairs on tables in an empty barn.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

Fellow “Friendors” in our industry have been the most impactful throughout my career. Early on, my business partner and I joined the St. Augustine Wedding & Events Association and made so many amazing connections. 10 years later, we are still in the organization, along with so many other successful businesses. We truly are family and have grown so much together. I know that if I called anyone of them with a concern, needing advice, or just wanting to vent, they are there.

Contact Info:

• Website: theperfectpourfl.com tringalibarn.com
• Instagram: @the.perfect.pour @tringali_barn
• Facebook: AKperfectpour The Tringali Barn

Image Credits

Greg Olech Photography
Rob Futrell Photos
Laura Perez Photography
Mary Bellavista Photos
Christina Karst Photography
Jay Grubb Photography