Meet Carmaleita W. Lyght of Lyght House Cocktails in Fayetteville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmaleita W. Lyght.

Carmaleita, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a GA Peach from Augusta. Married to my college sweetie with 2 boys 4yrs & 1yr. I have 3 siblings. I’ve attended Masters’ Tournaments and made many Azaleas (signature Masters’ cocktail). My family not only knows the business, but also supports me in all efforts. Graduated from Hampton University, in Hampton, VA with an MBA and a minor in Entrepreneurship & Spanish. I started Lyght House Cocktails in 2011, based on bar services I had come to know and love under my father’s, Joe Willis’ leadership. I created a custom signature mixers program (Inspiring Spirits) that allows clients to enjoy a sophisticated and superbly made cocktail at a venue celebrating the milestones & achievements of others or in the comforts of home. I know two forms of martial arts and am a natural born and avid cheerleader. I am a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I am also a member of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

As a college student, I always dreamed of the day I would own a business. At the time, I had no idea of what it would be, but I knew without a doubt, I would work for myself. Any accomplishments, failures and the like would all belong to me and ultimately; I (and the supportive team surrounding me) would be responsible for that. Knowing that along with providing some type of satisfaction or educational value to others were my top goals with a business venture.

Fast-forward to post college years, I could not find a corporate job in my chosen field to save my life. So, I took a part time job with the Georgia Association of Educators as an organizer. This position allowed me to travel every corner of the state and inform educators of the value of belonging to an organization that put them first; as well as provide recruitment services and organize around important issues related to the Georgia public school systems. Because this was a part time position, it allowed me to also focus on starting and nurturing a small business. It was at this point I realized I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father and provide bar catering services for private events. My very first client is a long-time client of my father’s. She frequently traveled from Augusta to Atlanta on business related matters. In her role, she had been tasked with hosting the company’s holiday party and relied on us to create and keep the libations flowing!

Clients and guests alike often mentioned what a spectacular drink I made and that I should do it more often. From there, I saw an absence in the market of fresh, flavorful signature cocktail recipes (at least in the mobile arena) and there began the concept of our Inspiring Spirits. And as they say, the rest is history. Over the years, I’ve met some pretty amazing people, both clients and other like-minded individuals running their own small businesses. Partnering with such creative talent has without a doubt enhanced the Lyght House Cocktails business model and it is my hope that we will continue to thrive in the future. Additionally, staying ever present in today’s market means attending conferences and continual education events, joining organizations whose objective is to help grow your business and engaging in activities to show your community that just like they support you, you too will support them.

Has it been a smooth road?
Being an entrepreneur, or as I like to use the term, “solopreneur”, it is rarely ever a smooth road. However, like being a mother, it is incredibly rewarding! Entering the business took a lot of groundwork and hundreds of dedicated phone calls. In the beginning, I really didn’t have a business model to follow, as I could not identify many businesses quite like mine. And with so many different rules surrounding alcohol across our state alone there were challenges at every turn. Each city, every municipality or town, has a different set of standards; and ultimately, it is up to you to know the differences and how to proceed if you are interested in doing business in that area.

Trying to cement a place in the industry with clients and partners alike has also presented challenges. It isn’t uncommon for one to not fully understand the role and importance of a bar catering service. Well-trained bartenders, sommeliers and customer-oriented staff are at the forefront of our business as it should be for any service-based business. Conveying the message of what a bar catering company can and will do for your event, if not fully appreciated, can be hard to grasp. It has been with very detailed and meticulous work (that still continues today) that we strive to make a name for ourselves in this industry.

So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lyght House Cocktails story. Tell us more about the business.
Lyght House Cocktails is a bar catering service and signature cocktail supplier, offering a more personalized and fully customized experience. We create relationships with our clients that last beyond a single event, in an effort to provide continuous service for all of life’s milestone moments.

From initial bar concept to event date, the client will work with me, Carmaleita W. Lyght. That experience begins with a one-on-one consultation to learn the minute details of the event and the type of service they expect from a chosen vendor. Leading up to event date, we are in constant contact with our clients to ensure all bar questions are answered and they are never left wondering what to do next.

Our packages are all-inclusive offering complete set-up and breakdown, mixers, garnishes, glassware, napkins, coolers, stylish barware and unique bar options. We also offer a la carte options, such as staffing only or our Inspiring Spirits drink delivery program. And we provide consulting services to determine the best liquor, beer and wine selections.

It is our top priority to go above and beyond the expectations of our clients and their guests.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I believe the mobile bar catering industry will see a steady growth rate over the next 5-10 years, that will correlate to modern-day cocktail culture. Nowadays, it’s all about personal experiences. Our social interests are less in the club scenes and more focused on demonstrating personal and creative styles, in more intimate and open settings. And of course, no party is complete without a great bar.

It is my hope the greatest shift will be that of recognizing the true value of bar catering. Unlike traditional catering, your bar catering team will be well versed in beer, wine and alcohol. And bringing to life your client’s bar vision will be just as important as the decor, floral pieces and food selections. The trends will all be a part of what’s hot in mixology. For the moment, that includes performance, storytelling, multi-skilled staff, and personal interpretations of classic cocktails.

Contact Info:

• Address: Available by appointment only:
  75 Mendel Dr. SW
  Atlanta, GA 30336
• Website: www.LyghtHouseCocktails.com
• Phone: 404.789.9818
• Email: Carmaleita@LyghtHouseCocktails.com
• Instagram: LHCocktails
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LHCocktails
• Twitter: LHCocktails
• Yelp: Lyght House Cocktails
• Other: Pinterest: LHCocktails

Image Credit:
Janet Howard Studio
CatMax Photography
Photo by Gannon
Ben Vigil Photography (watermarked)
Images by Winston (watermarked)
Melissa Prosser Photography (watermarked)