Today we’d like to introduce you to Zsanine Batemon.
Hi Zsanine, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Prior to the pandemic, I was in the process of preparing to open my own Events Management Company named Speechless Expressions Events Management Solutions. Once Covid was recognized and imposed on how society socially gathered I became discouraged and ultimately suspended entertaining the thought of opening my own business at that time. Fast forward I was temporarily laid off, therefore not only had I given up on my goal of opening my own business, I now was faced with the possibility of being unemployed. While sitting at home with absolutely nothing to do I would brainstorm ways that I could supplement income so I began to sell seafood bags to friends and family, that went well for a while until it became hit and miss.Then one day I received the call that I was dreading to here It was The Human Resource Manager from my job letting me know that my position in Events Management was eliminated, I paused and I thought to myself after being with a company for 20 years their letting me go! I remained calm and bit the bullet. Afterward I began to frustrated because I did not like the fact of being home all day every day without anything to do and I wanted to leave the company on my own terms my husband would say encouraging things to me but in my head, I would be like really I wish he’d stop only because I had tunnel vision and did not see a way out of no way. So, I entertained the idea of making smoothies on one hand and on the other cab legs and wrote out a whole business plan doing both but in my heart, I knew neither is what I wanted to do. One day while riding in my car I had a conversation with God, and I said Lord I cannot do this. I need something to do that I would enjoy. Please help me. A few weeks later a voice said start looking for space, so I did, however, I was unsuccessful in finding anything, so I stopped. Again, the voice led me to ride up and down Tara Blvd. After a few attempts riding up and down Tara Blvd, I ran across a place that was for lease but the size was small so I continued looking. I noticed from the street another location adjacent to the previous location which I literally drove by several times before that voice said go there. So thinking to myself this place looks like something that I cannot afford especially without income however I was obedient, turned around and wrote the contact information down. I called the owner several times before he got back with me. I asked if it was still available. He said yes and I asked him the cost to rent the location, was pretty reasonable I thought but I also thought how am I going to afford this without a job, no income except unemployment, and my savings. God said don’t worry about anything. Excitedly, the next day I took him a cashier’s check accompanied by a close friend of mine… After signing the agreement and getting the key, we came back and prayed overed the location. So, she said are you going to do smoothies? I said I am not sure that I want to do that. So, she started brainstorming on some ideas that I could do with the space one was an event space which was my original goal with her knowing that was my goal of opening an Events Company, and I said no it is not big enough, so she said how about a seafood spot I pondered and thought maybe I’ll see. I went home and I said God I got this location now what do you have in mind for me to do. My friend would call me every day for two weeks asking have I determined how I am going to utilize the space I would tell her still not sure. I thought maybe I would do something for kids like a decant candy shop so I started reaching out for decadent candies and ideas for other treats for kids but the idea didn’t stick with me. As I was researching I came across this photo with a kid and ice cream and I thought maybe and Ice cream shop but that faded away buy then the thought keep nagging at me and I would have dreams of kids drinking milkshakes so I brushed it off until one night I could not sleep well it was approximately 3 am in the morning when I was awaken out of my sleep with the name Milkshake Martini and I thought this has got to be what God has planned for me to do. So later that morning, I went to my daughter who is a graphic artist designer and I asked her to make me a logo using a curved martini glass as the middle (i) in the word martini. I did not like the name Milkshake Martini and was thinking of other names I could use but I could not I had to be obedient, Keep no one else knew what I was planning not even my husband I did not tell him until 2 weeks later about my vision and once I told him he looked at me and said let’s do it. The reason that I did not tell him was because I did not want anyone or anything to deter me by being negative, not saying he would have done that but sometimes silence is golden. Now the test I literally invested every dime I had from my savings and 401k, however, I was still in need of funding so I applied for funding with various lending agencies however I was denied because I did not have any income. But I remembered God had told me not to worry about anything, at my wits end my last attempt I received a call from lender stating if I get a co-bower I could get a loan so I asked my husband he said yes, I got a minimum loan of 30k however it was still not enough after purchasing all the equipment and other things that I need to sustain the business but we made it work by any means necessary.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There were a few challenges the main one was getting funding for a new business,
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Milkshake Martini Gourmet Shake Bar is a fun-filled friends and family-oriented environment which specializes in delicious decadent milkshakes. We are most known for our over-the-top artistically crafted specialty milkshakes and our Martini Milkshakes which are infused with liqueur. Our most popular specialty shake is the Side Effect which is a strawberry shortcake-themed shake and our most popular martini shakes would be Ganstas Paradise which is a pina colada-themed infused milkshake also Lick Me Til Ice Cream which is a cookie and cream-themed infused milkshake. We are also known for our exceptional customer service, which is intended to be the cornerstone of our success. It is our intention that all customers leave Milkshake Martini satisfied with reasonable limitations. This is why we ask all customers to taste their shakes prior to them leaving our facility just make sure that we have met or exceeded their expectations. By doing so If we have not accomplished our goal will this give us an opportunity to make sure that the customer is satisfied prior to leaving but wait!!! I how could I forget the WAIT LOL, we are also known for the WAIT time as well, although most customer do not mind. to combat the waiting we make sure that we have some form of entertainment whether it be, great music, games, karaoke, or watching the hip comedy TV show Wild N Out and as a gesture of goodwill we offer complimentary popcorn or trail mix for our customers to nibble on as their waiting And finally we ask for all feedback on ways for us to improve on all levels, Without our customers there would be no Milkshake Martini so we are continuously seeking ways to keep and build our loyalty base customers
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was the eldest of five children, so I have always had the mindset of being in charge. I heard that most considered me to be controlling, opinionated, outspoken, an extrovert, and selective of who I keep in my circle. My interests were always being a leader in some capacity and owning my own business.
