Today we’d like to introduce you to Dottie Bailey.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story starts no different than any other person with the exception of God knew before me that this was ultimately going to be my fate. Born and raised in the Bronx to Patricia Dejesus that worked as a barmaid all of her life. So growing up in this environment it’s not surprising that this would be my business years later. When my biological mother passed way 14 years ago when my sisters and I was trying to put together my mother’s obituary we collectively came up with worked as a mycologist instead of barmaid. Thinking back on this time period remembering my mother working long hours but always have such a great time while working and let’s not forget extra cash. Well fast forward to my start in this walk of life a very good friend of mine worked at a club in Atlanta invited me to hang out with her. Well after a few times hanging at the club and watching my friend bartend in such a fast paced in skillfully working the crowd I was in awe. I had to feel that feeling so I ask if they was hiring. To my surprise they were hiring but for servers only. Well that’s the beginning of my journey I worked at this club as a server until a bartending slot opened. I was lucky enough to watch my friend while working as a server. But I realized if I wanted to take this skill to another level I would need to get my bartending certificate so I could work at different locations. My husband paid for me to attend ABC Bartending School after a faced paced course in 2006 I obtained my certificate and license. I was so thrilled to be about to enter the world of Bartending, well that dream was short lived because most companies would not hire me due to the lack of experience. I was frustrated and stopped applying. I worked a few small events but nothing that would give me that long term experience I needed. Until another friend of mine opened up a bar and girl and was in need of a bartender. Well for 18 months I worked there and got my speed and skills up on how to make great drinks and please the crowd. I worked there until that business closed. Moving in to the current time after the business closed I worked for a company For Servers only and worked my bartending skills at many weddings and private events. Up until 2015 where after having a conversation with a close friend of mine, I was like why can’t I do this for myself? Gail said you can but we need to start somewhere and that’s where Shan Thomas came into my world. She is an expert in her field in marketing businesses and catapulting them into the next level. Well that is exactly what she did for Bailey’s Bartending. After canceling 2 meetings with her due to fear and fear alone, Bailey’s Bartending was born along with business cards, websites, LLC, social media you name it she helped me get this business on the road to being successful. Well that was in 2015 and my very first we were hired for was on small business Saturday by now a very close friend and business partner. There was nothing like the feeling of getting that first payment that said paid to Bailey’s Bartending. Since then Bailey’s Bartending listed the business on sites such as The Knot, Thumbtack, Living Social, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & Snapchat in order to gain the momentum we have today. We are currently fully booked most weekends with 1-5 events on the calendar each weekend. Looking forward to 2018 with many things I have in mind to take Bailey’s Bartending to the next level. I would love to open markets in other cities, start an instructional class of my own to teach the tricks of the trade to one day having my own bar. The sky is the limit for Bailey’s Bartending and if I life by my own motto “live life to the fullest” I believe it will all happen in due time.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course with every business there are struggles along the way, one of mine is always trying to be the yes person and not charge for my value. Also early in the business I had an event that almost broke me. The feedback that I received from the company that hired us was extremely mean in all the words said. But this that particular feedback make me stronger? Yes it did it also allowed me to step back and make some changes on how I did things.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Bailey’s Bartending – what should we know?
Bailey’s Bartending prides itself in helping the client make there event more memorable no matter how big or small. Some of the things that sets us apart from the competition is when we show up we just don’t have a wine and beer opener. We come with all the necessities to make the bar look amazing. We have coolers for chilling beer & wine we have napkin, stirrer, garnish stations, I make sure the team always has extra cups in case the client runs out. In the kit as I call it we have a 6ft table with table cloth, a lit BAR sign which all of our clients love.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Great customer service, being kind over the phone, my first interaction with the client is over the phone. So I treat each person I speak to over the phone as I would like to be treated.
Pricing:
- We have hourly rates for just service starting at $35 an hour for Bartenders with a 4 hour minimum
- We have hourly rates for wait staff/ bartender assitants starting at $25 an hour with a 4 hour minimum
- We have beer and wine packages that start at $10.50 per guest which includes service and gratuity.
- We have alcohol, beer & wine packages that start at $14.00 per guest which includes service and gratuity
Contact Info:
- Address: Bailey’s Bartending
5174 Oaktree Trail
Lithonia GA, 30038 - Website: www.baileysbartending.com
- Phone: 770-604-1259
- Email: service@baileysbartending.com
- Instagram: Baileysbartending
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/baileysbartending/
- Twitter: Baileysbartend
Image Credit:
Cycle for life (Senoia GA)
Johns Creek Nature Preserve
The Barn
Fendley Farmstead
Cha’le Gardens
Nu2Atl
11 Alive Studios
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