Daily Inspiration: Meet James Boyd Rachel Cockran

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Boyd Rachel Cockran.

Hi James Boyd, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Garnish Event Services began with a simple vision—making events more meaningful, affordable, and accessible. We started out as a mobile bartending service and coordinating small events, and we quickly realized how much stress planning can put on hosts and nonprofits. We wanted to create a service that not only made events beautiful and seamless but also empowered organizations and individuals by keeping things cost-effective and impactful.

As Garnish grew, we expanded from bartending into full event planning, catering coordination, and even coaching others who want to start their own businesses. But what we are most proud of is that Garnish isn’t just a business—it’s a mission engine. The revenue we generate helps fund and fuel Blue Sky Outreach, our nonprofit partner that provides community support, family resources, and outreach programs. Every event we do has the potential to raise money and push forward life-changing missions through Blue Sky.

So in short, Garnish Event Services is the product of our love for hospitality, creativity, and service—creating experiences that bring people together while also giving back to the community in a lasting way.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting with Limited Resources

Obstacle: Launching Garnish on a tight budget with little access to outside funding.

How We Overcame It: We focused on mobile bartending as a low-overhead entry point, reinvested profits into growth, and developed coaching to help others start businesses affordably.

Building Credibility in a Competitive Market

Obstacle: Standing out against larger, established event companies.

How We Overcame It: We leaned into personal service, creative event design, and a mission-driven model—showing clients their events could also fuel community impact.

Balancing Profit with Purpose

Obstacle: Finding a way to sustain a for-profit business while supporting Blue Sky Outreach, our nonprofit.

How We Overcame It: We structured Garnish so that every event helps fund Blue Sky’s programs, turning hospitality into a fundraising engine and giving clients a reason to feel good about choosing us.

Managing Seasonal Fluctuations

Obstacle: Events are seasonal, with busy peaks and slow valleys.

How We Overcame It: We diversified services—offering year-round rentals, coaching, and nonprofit events to maintain cash flow during off-seasons.

Educating Clients on Value

Obstacle: Some clients only compare prices without seeing the added value of what we do.

How We Overcame It: We created clear, transparent pricing sheets and emphasized that choosing Garnish also supports community missions—making it about both quality and impact.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Garnish Event Services was founded by two hospitality professionals with a shared passion for creating memorable guest experiences. One, a seasoned executive chef; the other, a successful restaurant owner—together they bring over a decade of hands-on expertise in culinary excellence, service, and event coordination.

Our mission is simple: to elevate every event through thoughtful staffing, seamless execution, and genuine hospitality. But Garnish is more than just great service—it’s service with purpose. 100% of our proceeds go to Blue Sky Outreach, a community-focused non-profit that provides fresh farm eggs, supports local gardens, and promotes sustainable living.

Let us help bring your event to life—while giving back to the community, one gathering at a time.

With a background that includes staffing and managing events at NFL and MLB stadiums, the New Orleans Convention Center, Super Bowls, and professional golf tournaments, we bring big-league experience to every gathering. Our passion for hospitality runs deep, shaped by years in fast-paced, high-stakes environments where excellence is the standard.

At Garnish Event Services, we love planning events of all kinds—from intimate birthday parties to large-scale corporate functions. Whether you’re hosting a backyard celebration or a full-scale gala, our team will collaborate with you to create a custom service package that fits your vision and budget. Let’s make your next event effortless, unforgettable, and uniquely yours.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Start Small, Grow Smart
I learned that you don’t need huge capital to start a successful business—you need creativity, resourcefulness, and the discipline to reinvest. Beginning with bartending as our foundation taught me how to scale one step at a time without overextending.

Purpose Builds Loyalty
Clients don’t just buy a service—they buy into a story. When we connected Garnish to Blue Sky Outreach, people weren’t just booking an event; they were part of a mission. That purpose-driven model has been one of the strongest ways to build lasting client relationships.

Adaptability is Survival
From seasonal slowdowns to unexpected challenges like COVID, I’ve learned that flexibility is everything. Diversifying services, finding new revenue streams, and staying open to change has allowed Garnish to not just survive but continue fueling impact even in hard times.

Pricing:

• venue rental starting at 50.00 per hr
• custom packages available for catering and event services

Contact Info:

• Website: https://garnisheventservices.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576314080015

Image Credits
James Boyd
Rachel Cockran
Mel Carter