Mobile Bartending Business: Start Up Costs!

So…How Much?

Almost everyday I get asked this question. I open the door, pull back the curtain and expose a bit of my exciting world as a Private Party Bartender, and people say “AWESOME! Great! …How much?”

It is a great question! If you are going to take the leap (I call it a small step) from employee to entrepreneur, you are going to want to minimize as many risks as possible, and when you hear about all of the details of having a Bartending Business, most are left wondering “what’s the catch?”

Why Bartending Rocks:

Becoming a mobile bartender has more perks than I can think of, and frankly need to save for future posts. But the NUMERO UNO reason why becoming a Mobile Bartender kicks some serious butt is:

ALMOST ZERO START-UP COSTS!

I’m serious! It really does not cost you much to get you started and on your feet! Even better, you will make so much money so quickly that you can reinvest a portion of your profit into your business so that it will continue to grow.

So what are we looking at here?

What does low start-up costs mean? Well, in The Bartend-4-Profit System’s Home Study Course, I include a detailed list of everything you need and how to get it at the best price. In this post, I have given you a brief list of your most important items and their costs. Remember, in the service industry, people are paying for you…not a physical product!

(In order of importance-in my opinion)

• Business Cards ($100-150)
• A Uniform (all black, or tuxedo shirt, vest, etc…you should already have something)
• Bartending Tools (shaker, wine key, bottle opener, speed pourers, coolers, garnish tray,etc) (less than $100)
• A Portable Bar (you can do events with out one, but you can charge more if you have one…and you can get one anywhere from $50-$1500, I give you a list of all of the different bar options in the home study course of Bartend-4-Profit)
• A Website (your best marketing tool…and you can get it for under $300…don’t worry, I show you exactly how to have one made asap in the Bartend-4-Profit System)

I hope this helps give you an idea of just how EASY it is to get started! PLEASE use the comment form below to address any aditional questions you may have! THANKS GUYS!

James Wedmore
www.Bartend4Profit.com

What NOT to do while Bartending

Lessons Learned While Drunk

As you may or may not know, I was in Texas this past weekend for one of my good friend’s weddings. It was really great to be on the OTHER side of the bar for a change and drink heavily and enjoy good company!

Well, one of the benefits of stepping outside of your bartending position and putting yourself into the shoes of your customer, is you get a REAL feel for what defines a GOOD Bartender. Well in this case, I was easily able to identify what defines a BAD bartender.

Why this Bartender Sucked MORE than “Meet The Spartans”

Excuse the obscure movie reference, I can rant about my disdain for that film in another post, but none of the groomsmen and I liked this bartender one bit! Ya he was old, creepy looking, and lacked any real personality or energy (everything that a bartender should have) but here is where he sent me over the edge:

My buddy Drew and I walk up for our 3rd Margarita in less than the first thirty minutes of the ceremony (in my defense, it was hot, I was thirsty, I like tequila…what?!) and here is what our friendly, neighborhood bartender said to us:

“Alright boys, you’re on the clock” (As he handed us number three)

I exchanged glances with my drinking buddy and decided I wasn’t going to just walk away from this one with a curtesy smile.

“I’m sorry…what clock would that be?” (Ya, I’m a sarcastic drunk)

Well, the bartender proceeded to tell us how he had noticed that we had been drinking rather quickly and that we were on his “watch list” (wtf?). If we kept drinking at this rate, he would have to “cut us off” WOW! The three words that NO patron ever wants to hear…and he just went there! Oh Snap!

Ok, ok, so even though I was proud that someone had taken notice of my drinking talents, I was still perturbed by his comments…thus he was labeled by me and Drew (and all the groomsmen) as a BAD BARTENDER.

So, What Should you NEVER do?

Before this post looks more like a big whiny complaint from a guy who actually had an amazing night (I later bypassed the whole bartender thing and found my own bottle of tequila, it never left my hand…”classy!”) there is something of value here that I want to share with you….really…

Do not condescend your patrons and convey your opinions of their drinking habits to them-especially in the first 30 minutes of the party! You are the LIFE of the party-not the DEATH of it! Now don’t get me wrong, “cutting someone off” is serious business and when it needs to be done, only a select few bartenders can effectively do it without any confrontations. And when it needs to be done, it should NOT be avoided by any means. BUT, for someone to warn you, and threaten to cut you off is GRATUITY SUICIDE!

In short, if you say “I’m going to cut you off,” you better just go ahead do it right then and there!

More NO-NO’s

Well, while we are on it, here are a few more things that a GREAT Bartender should never, ever do. Most are quick and easy and you probably already know them! I would LOVE to hear your comments, please feel free t add to the list!!

• Never Count your Tips in front of Guests
• Never turn your back to a guest while making his/her cocktail
• Never chew gum/eat food while working (I didn’t say drink!!!)
• Never leave your bar a mess-I hate that!
• Never use the glass to scoop the ice!
• Never arrive un-groomed and untidy
• Never talk politics or religion
• Never bring your baggage/BS Drama to work
• Never be the DEATH of a Good Party!

…I dunno, that’s all I got for now, anybody else?

Hope you enjoyed the post…cheers!

James Wedmore
www.BartenderforProfit.com

Do you NEED a Portable Bar?

YES! As a private party bartender working at different events, weddings, birthdays, etc, a portable bar is a great perk for your clients, but it can also make you a lot more money! It shows that you are professional and prepared, plus you can charge your clients more for using one!

In this video, I describe 2 of the portable bars that I use on a weekly basis. You need to decide what is the right bar for you based on determining factors such as your budget and vehicle capacity (car or truck?). I created a detailed list of different portable bars and how to obtain them in a budget range of $100-$2,500. All of this is located in The Bartend-4-Profit System Home Study Course.

Sure you can still bartend without a bar, but watch what happens when you get one! You will see the difference in your tips, your base pay, the way your clients treat you, and the level at which you perform. I hope you find this post helpful and informative.

Build Your Own Bar at www.barplan.com

Zen Bartender: The Lost Art of Karma Tipping

Oh No! He’s Rambling Again!

This weekend I enjoyed the beautiful Summer Sun at Hotel & Casino Morongo in California as I celebrated one of my good friend’s bachelor party. Needless to say, I drank too much! But there was a point in the night where I got really philosophical…you know that drunken state: you analyze and question everything and give new perspective and meaning to mundane things…ya well I go there often!

Well, when it came time to pay my bartender (BTW: it was GREAT being on the other side of the bar for a change!!) I made sure he was taken care of…I mean REALLY taken care of!! WHY?!

Why is it that the best tippers are those that have had experience in the service industry where they had to survive on the gratuities left by others? There are lots of reasons of course: there is a mutual understanding as well as a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into a server or bartender’s daily routine, but I’ve got a new reason…

Why YOU should take care of your BARTENDER!

Ok, maybe I was drunk and having a great time, but I came up with a little something I like to call KARMA TIPPING! It’s the whole principle of “Give and You Shall Receive!” I know you are familiar with it in every other situation, by why not tipping? In a nutshell:

Tip Well and Take Care of Your Bartender, and it will come back around tenfold!

I Don’t Believe That James! You’re Crazy!

You’re right, I am crazy! But I would like to believe that if I take care of my bartender, I will be taken care of by my future customers! And at the very least, I do feel good when I have been rather “generous” at the end of the night.

But don’t get me wrong…your bartender/server must deserve the tip you are giving them. Poor service begets poor tips (and vice versa!)

So Today’s Lesson (I’ve Got Two!)

1. The obvious one: When you go out, tip well! Do it because it feels good and because you expect to be treated the same way. But remember, when you are going out, you are not trying to save money, you are looking to be entertained…that costs money! If you want to SAVE: stay home and buy a 6 pack!!

2. Ok, here is another great lesson…as a bartender, you always strive on improving your “skill.” (whatever that means!) But either way, people label bartenders as “good” or “bad” and you NEVER want the latter! So, if you are working in a bar 4-6 nights a week, or performing private events every weekend, it is always great to take a step back for a moment and sit in your customers shoes (alternate: “…or sit on your customers stool”) In other words, make sure you are going out! What do YOUR bartenders do that you enjoy, and more importantly, what do they do that pisses you off?! What can you bring back to your bartending “skill-set” so you can worry less about being “bad” and concentrate more on being the best!

See! I Told You!

If I weren’t so hungover, you’d think I were drunk…because this is what happens when alcohol touches these lips: I get all deep and analytical. I’m like a drunk Buddha! Anyway, take if for what its worth, but consider both of my lessons and ALWAYS strive to be the BEST!

To your Bartending Success,

James Wedmore
Bartend-4-Profit
www.BartenderforProfit.com

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