We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christen Hanson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christen below.
Hi Christen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry
In the ever-evolving landscape of event planning, one trend is capturing the attention of hosts and guests alike: mobile cocktail bars. Driven by social media and the desire for unique and personalized experiences, the concept of bringing the bar to the event is gaining momentum and is transforming the way we celebrate life’s special moments.
Traditional bars can sometimes feel static and uninspired. Mobile cocktail bars, on the other hand, offer a dynamic experience that engages guests from the moment they arrive! With these mobile services, hosts can now bring the bar directly to their chosen venue, whether it’s a rustic barn, a scenic outdoor location, or the comfort of their own backyard. These mobile bar setups come in various shapes and sizes, offering unparalleled flexibility to adapt to different event spaces and guest capacities. From sleek vintage trailers and rustic wooden bars to chic pop-up tents and trendy converted vehicles, the options are endless. This versatility allows hosts to choose a setup that not only fits the aesthetic of their event but also enhances the overall ambiance and experience for their guests, and leaves them talking for years to come. In the age of social media, every event is an opportunity for guests to capture and share memorable moments online. Mobile cocktail bars provide the perfect backdrop for social media-worthy photos and videos, with their eye-catching designs and expertly crafted drinks serving as the focal point of any post wanting to make a splash online.
One size does not fit all when it comes to event planning. One of the key advantages of hiring a mobile bartending company is the ability to create tailored experiences and craft completely custom drink menus that perfectly complement the theme and vibe of the event. Behind every great mobile cocktail bar is a team of skilled mixologists and bartenders who are passionate about their craft. These professionals bring a level of expertise and artistry to the table, ensuring that each drink is crafted with precision and care. Whether it’s creating classic cocktails or experimenting with innovative flavor combinations, their knowledge and expertise elevate the drinking experience and leave a lasting impression on guests.
The sober curious movement and inclusivity is also a driving force behind the rise of mobile bartending, while many services are embracing the trend of offering alcohol-free options to cater to non-drinkers. From refreshing mocktails to non-alcoholic spirits and even cannabis-infused drinks, these alternatives ensure that all guests can indulge in a delicious beverage without compromising on taste or experience.
As the demand for unique and memorable event experiences continues to grow, mobile bartending is emerging as a game-changer in the world of private events and weddings. By bringing the bar directly to the event, offering tailored menus, and creating engaging guest experiences, mobile bartenders are raising the bar on celebrations of all kinds- and I anticipate even more unique experiences to come.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I graduated from Purdue University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, majoring in Interior Design. When I graduated there was a recession occurring and it was difficult to find a start in a career for my chosen field without any professional experience. I decided to uproot from my small hometown in Indiana and found myself on the coast of Eastern North Carolina to live with my older sister until I figured out my next move. I picked up, what I thought would be, a temporary job at a local fine dining restaurant. I never even waited tables in high school or college- but it was quick hiring and quick money. Spoiler alert, 13 years later I also still work for the same company part-time.
I instantly knew that serving others was my calling. I enjoyed the fast-pace atmosphere, meeting and interacting with all walks of life, but most importantly the satisfaction that something as simple as giving a guest a great experience could completely make their day. I quickly worked my way up to management and head bartender, playing with different flavors and helping curate our cocktail menus. My general manager at the time became my mentor and she taught me everything she knew, knowing that I was destined for more and even encouraging me to do something of my own. Once Covid came, the industry took a major hit as whole. I was working more private events for people than I ever had before, due to the limits on public gatherings. I was noticing the changes in the way people were celebrating, the increase in the mobile food industry and catering, and the decline in people wanting the same mundane options for their special moments.
My business partner, who is my sister, definitely pushed me to take the leap to start our own mobile bar venture. By combining my eye for design and my professional experience, we built the cutest vintage horse trailer bar and were the first to offer our services in the surrounding area. We wanted to offer a service that caught peoples attention, but also be completely customizable to anyone’s budget or event needs.
In the state of North Carolina, we are only allowed to operate as a dry-hire bar. This means that the host has to purchase and provide the alcohol, while we supply everything else (bar, bartenders, ice, mixers, equipment, barware, etc.). Planning a special event has so many moving parts and pieces, so we wanted a way that we could alleviate as much stress and work off our clients as we possibly could. We work with our clients closely to customize their bar menu and provide them a grocery list for their alcohol so they know exactly how much and of what to purchase, so there is no guessing involved.
While we pride ourselves on our cute bar setups and excellent mixology skills, I would have to say that our true passion and mission is giving the ultimate customer service experience, to not only our clients but their guests as well. At Sip & Tow, our bartenders truly love what they do and we go above and beyond to uphold our standards for service. We are thorough, over prepared, and extremely efficient- all while smiling and having fun!
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Google is by far where we get most of our leads for potential customers and bookings. Second to that would be social media platforms.
How did you build your audience on social media?
We built our social media presence organically. We manage everything on our own, and honestly it is not a strong suit of ours. It is definitely an aspect that we plan to focus more on in the future. We gained social media interest when we first launched due to us being a unique service offered in the local area. People were curious with the building process, how we operate, and just the overall aesthetic of our vintage horse trailer bar. Most of our followers we have gained over time are guests at events that we worked- QR codes are genius!
I would say that getting started on social media is especially tough when you do not have the content available, but consistency is key (a reminder to myself). You don’t have to post every day, but you do need to keep it current to keep up with algorithms! Also, while people are drawn to the picture-perfect images they also like to see real people doing what they love. Not every moment is perfect, so do not be afraid to be yourself!
Social media is the the best marketing tool we have at our finger tips and it costs nothing other than time. Every small business should have some sort of social media presence!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sipandtownc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sipandtownc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sipandtownc
