Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Lawrence, founder and CEO of Cali Craft Cocktails, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Cali Craft Cocktails is a WOSB, and our customers are people who want to have the experience of renting out their favorite high-end bar only in their backyard! We are a premium, all-inclusive company, which means that you don't have to LIFT A FINGER. We bring everything to you. We have twelve-bar designs to choose from!

Tell us about yourself

I don't need any motivational triggers for me to get excited about my work because I created it and have complete autonomy. Every little corner, every hiccup, I was there nurturing it since inception! I love my business so much and am so grateful that I get to think of cool new ways to be more efficient every day. My entire life is this business, and you will not find anyone who does it better or cares more.

I have been bartending for over 13 years and have worked for myself for about over ten years. My unique style and understanding of the undertakings needed for a bar operation + how to run a business, + how to make things EFFICIENT is one of a kind and incredibly important to me.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I was asked to speak at a Women in Business event by Weebly in 2018! I was featured on a panel, and the audience asked us questions about our business.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

You are always on. There is no putting down the phone and going to Burning Man for four days. I have a great reputation for always being there for my clients and love to respond to them within minutes.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. You have to really love it; if you don't, who else cares? No one!
  2. I was lucky enough to start with a partner where I was able to focus on the business 24/7, and we would alternate between shifts and sleeping and paying rent. That was how we were able to grow so big so fast because we were literally working around the clock in shifts. However, this is not sustainable.
  3. Get yourself a CRM; I was doing everything the old-fashioned way!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Your bar vendor is the one you interact with the most. They are onsite the longest, have the most face time with your guests/parents/friends/family, and hold the entire event together. This is the vendor you need to splurge on to ensure you're getting a good experience, as a bad one can ruin your entire event.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.calicraftcocktails.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calicraftcocktails
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calicraftcocktails/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/calicocktails
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lawrence-b9382928/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.