Meet Vanessa Kavulish

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

Vanessa, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?

I have always had a lot of empathy for other people, animals, and the planet. As a child I spent time volunteering and writing about ways that we could make our planet better, and as an adult I continued with that through animal welfare work, ocean conservation efforts, and eliminating as much waste from my daily life as possible. Just a few years ago, I started sending out all of my food items to become compost. I think the fact that giving back and truly making things better than I found it has made generosity a core value of mine. Giving time and money to others who need it is a huge driving factor for me.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m the founder of Benefit Bar, a women-owned, eco-conscious mobile bar company that specializes in creating memorable experiences through craft cocktails, custom mocktails, and elevated service. What makes Benefit Bar so special is that we don’t just serve drinks — we show up with a purpose. We compost, source local and organic ingredients, and give back to our community with every event.

Alongside Benefit Bar, I also coach aspiring entrepreneurs in the mobile events industry. I love helping people turn their hospitality experience into profitable, sustainable businesses. Watching someone go from an idea to their first fully booked season is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

Right now, we’re expanding our add-on services — think champagne walls, custom drink kits, and more ways to help our clients elevate their events. I’m also growing my consulting program to support more people who want to launch mobile event businesses with integrity, creativity, and confidence.

At the end of the day, it’s all about community. Whether we’re creating memories at a wedding or helping someone build the business of their dreams, my mission is to create spaces where people feel connected, celebrated, and inspired to do good.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have really defined my journey: resilience, resourcefulness, and the willingness to take imperfect action.

Resilience has carried me through every ‘no,’ every unexpected setback, and every pivot I didn’t see coming. Being resourceful has helped me figure things out even when I didn’t have all the answers. Whether it’s solving client challenges on the fly or trying out new ideas, imperfect action has been my secret weapon. Waiting until something is ‘perfect’ is the fastest way to stay stuck. I’d rather learn by doing than sit on the sidelines overthinking.

For anyone just starting out, my advice is: first, build your bounce-back muscle. Things will go wrong — that’s normal. Second, stay curious and scrappy, do it messy. Google is free, mentors exist, and there’s always a way to get what you need if you’re willing to ask questions. And finally, stop waiting to feel ‘ready.’ Take one step today. Send the email, pitch the idea, launch the page. You can’t steer a parked car. Just get moving.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Honestly, my mentors, friends, and colleagues — the strong relationships I’ve built over time — have been invaluable to my journey. It’s been incredible to have people I can turn to for advice or to bounce a wild idea off of.

Another thing that’s made a huge difference for me is connecting with other entrepreneurs. Having that community has made this path feel a lot less lonely — because it can be isolating at times. Knowing I have people in my corner who understand the ups and downs has been one of the most important factors in helping me grow and stay resilient.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.benefit-bar.com
• Instagram: @benefitbaraz
• Facebook: @benefitbaraz
• Yelp: Benefit Bar AZ

Image Credits

Iris Rose Photo