We were lucky to catch up with Teresa Dominguez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Teresa , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Being the “only one in the room” can feel like something that is a disadvantage, but that’s not necessarily the case. I realized that it’s okay being the only one. I have had to realize that I have been recognized for my talents, and a door has opened for me. Embrace it. Often when I am the only one in the room, I feel the need to suppress many of the qualities that make me unique. However, the more I look for ways to bring my true self into my work, the more opportunities I have to build valuable relationships. I learned to bring my authentic self to work—it’s my greatest competitive advantage.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As a single mom at a young age, I have always been focused on my professional career and my children. After many years of that juggle, I began to feel like I was losing myself in her roles as mother, girlfriend, and full-time professional. I also felt the common burn-out after having my nose to the grind for so long. I felt like I really needed something for myself. I needed an outlet, to be able to get away and do things that I enjoy alone, which I never had time to do. So, in 2019 I started the process of creating and opening my own side business. After seeing the popularity of mobile bar trailers on the East Coast, I thought that idea would be perfect in the East Bay. It took eight months just to get the bar designed, refurbished, and shipped over from New York. The excitement and anticipation were overwhelming; however, after all of that time bringing my vision to life. My perfect bar landed in my driveway in March 2020, days before the pandemic shut everything down. I panicked. I had put all of that money and time into something that might never be. So, it was up to me to pivot my business model. With nobody hosting gatherings, inside or outside, I was unable to utilize my bar in any capacity. With the name of Sips and Baubles already selected, I was able to incorporate jewelry as the “baubles” and started searching for wholesale items. Sips and Baubles’ first official market in the community was in February 2021 at Makers Boulevard in Brentwood, CA. Jewelry was not part of my original plan, but I had to find a way to make it work in the meantime. I brought my trailer to the market just as a backdrop behind the jewelry, marketing my business but not actually serving any beverages. Then that became the talking point, people asking why I had a horse trailer with me and why it had taps in the back. It just spiraled from there. I continued to only sell my baubles for an entire year before I was able to officially serve drinks from my bar. As I received interest and inquiries about the bar, I slowly scaled back my market commitments in order to leave my schedule open for events. As the world began opening back up, outdoor gatherings slowly started to take place. My bar tops were extended in order to further distance the bartenders from the clients. I was also able to inform clients of the measurements so that they knew the distance, as well as offered to wear masks in order to make them more comfortable. My first serving event was a wedding in Martinez that was in the driveway, and I was able to garner multiple future clients just from that one gathering. One of the ways that Sips and Baubles is able to enhance any gathering is with their unique, custom craft cocktails. People like what they like, but certain clientele wants something brand new for them to serve their guests. Everything we offer is cohesive to the event’s theme and décor so that we fit esthetically, including our drinks and optional themed drink menu. Clients can select up to three signature cocktails, and I can provide all of the necessary mixers and garnishes. Open bar and additional drinks are also available, as well as the option for my staff and I to simply be the bartenders with provided products. I will soon be providing a four-week course to help set businesses up for success, and even though spectators may wonder why I would help my competitors, I don’t look at it through that lens. There is so much business to go around, I simply cannot accept it all. At the end of the day, I want people to be able to have a bar or trailer at their event.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Grit 2. Passion
3. Attention to detail
It’s a tough business to run and manage but keep going it will be all worth it in the end!
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
Not having a large enough team. Business is booming and I don’t have enough bodies to go around. It has been difficult to find individuals who I trust with being the face of my business as I cannot be present at each and every event.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sipsandbaubles.com
- Instagram: @sipsandbaubles
