Today we’d like to introduce you to May Lashelle
Hi May, 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?
I’m originally from San Diego, California. I moved to Atlanta after high school where I pursued my bachelors degree at Clark Atlanta University. Whereas I graduated with an undergrad degree in Biology. Growing up I inspired to be a veterinarian. I always loved animals and still do. I worked as a vet tech during my time in undergrad. It was then where I decided that I didn’t want to pursue becoming a veterinarian. I didnt know that veterinarians were one of the most suicidal professions. Then I had veterinarians who recently graduated and veterinarians who were veterans telling me that human health was better. At that point I was in my junior year of college and was distraught because being a veterinarian has always been my goal in life. Nonetheless, I graduated from Clark Atlanta University in 2018. During my time at Clark Atlanta I picked up bartending as the next part time job. I believe I got into bartending by talking to some bartenders at a bar and realizing how much they made, it motivated me to join in. I found a bartending school and got certified. I was the first person to turn in the test and I aced the exam. Shortly afterwards I began to bartend at casual restaurants. Then I accumulated regulars that ended up referring me to a fine dining establishment. Which was Capers in Kennesaw, it has great food and is black owned. I ended up bartending at Capers for a few years even after I graduated college. The money was fast and great but most importantly, it was a great networking atmosphere due to the clientele. After graduating from college I had issues landing a job. Most jobs required an extensive amount of experience which I didn’t have. One day a woman came into the bar and I spoke with her, generally speaking how I just graduated and was having trouble finding a job. She said her coworker was coming to the bar and she was a recruiter at an ophthalmology clinic. Once her coworker came in she insisted that I apply to her company. Furthermore, I ended up accepting a job as a scribe at an ophthalmology clinic. During my time at the clinic I found a new interest in being an anesthesia assistant. However, after studying hard and working harder on my med school application I got denied twice into the program. During that time while I was studying to get into the program I saw on instagram a specific profile account that was showing users how she cultivated cocktails. Me being a seasoned bartender I can tell it was another version of a long island iced tea. Then I told myself after looking at the video that I can do this but better. Shortly prior to the epiphany, I had my first tarot reading from a friend of a friend and she told me how she sees me advancing as a radio personality of some sort. I debunked her theory almost immediately because this was nowhere near the career I wanted to pursue. Plus I’m more of a reserved person so it didn’t make sense. Sure enough, shortly after I came up with the idea Mixing with May. Which consist of me giving tutorials on how to craft cocktails. Then my ideas kept overflowing; I began to offer mobile bartending services, make content, and start a podcast.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I’ve never been an entrepreneur and had to figure out everything by myself. Most of it is trial and error so you have to learn as you go. For example, I would invest a substantial amount of money into a videographer for my podcast then hardly get any views on my videos. Then I learned when you are content creating you have to be consistent in order to grow. Pretty much like everything in life if we’re being honest. It can definitely be discouraging when you put a lot of time and effort into content and it doesn’t show the results that you want. However, time also plays a factor because when you post to the internet sometimes it just takes time for people to catch on. The Law of Applied Effort states that the amount of effort put into something is directly related to the achievement that results. After some consistency my videos have started to accumulate a substantial amount of viewers. With mobile bartending there were definitely some struggles because customers rather not pay a flat rate fee they feel like a bartender will get paid in tips. However, that’s not the case because tips are never promised and I had to learn how to stand firmly on prices. It was also a struggle to gain customers but overtime as I provided exceptional service my customers started refer me to potential customers.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a mixologist/bartender/content creator. I curated crafted cocktails and I post tutorials via social media so that everyday people can be their own bartender at the comfort of their home. Additionally, I provide mobile bartending services for any special occasions. Lastly, I’m known for making a really good cocktail and having personable conversations. That was the essence I wanted to capture in my podcast, I wanted people to see how bartenders curate cocktails and have meaningful everyday conversations at the bar. People don’t realize how much of a networking opportunity it is by being a bartender or from sitting at a bar. Hence, I’ve gotten corporate jobs and other opportunities from bartending. Growing up as a young adult I’ve realized that it’s who you know not what you know. Networking will get you further than what a degree alone could. I’ve unintentionally created so many special relationships with my bar guests through conversing. That is what sets me apart from others because most bartenders will serve you a drink and keep it pushin. However, I will give you an hospitable experience to the point where you feel like we’re family. I’m most proud of pursuing entrepreneurship and stepping outside of my comfort zone. Although this job entails speaking to people everyday, I’m naturally a reserved person. Yet this journey has taught me to speak up and take risks because there could be a blessing waiting.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I didn’t have any mentors but I definitely had the support from my friends, liquor reps, and bar regulars. My friends would constantly repost my content, help me record, and continuously cheer me on. Similarly with my bar regulars, they became friends and family who also support my content and mobile business. Every single person who I’ve collaborated with on my content played a role too. I couldn’t do it without them, some of them I had just met yet they still worked with me. All the way to the owners at MCK bar & restaurant who let me use their bar to shoot my photos. That’s what I love about Atlanta; it is a great networking city for entrepreneurs. You can meet someone one day and the next you’re collaborating and supporting each other’s business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mixingwithmay.com
