We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristina Hartman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kristina , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

How I Turned an Idea into Reality: The Story of My Mobile Bartending Business

It all started with a bold vision: connecting freshly crafted beer to people wherever they gathered. When I first pitched the idea to my husband in 2016, his response was blunt: “You’re insane.” But years later after many years in the corporate world where others got to take credit for one too many of my ideas. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this dream had potential. It became a much bigger dream as I have a passion for crafting unforgettable experiences. Fueled by equal parts passion and determination—and maybe a little stubbornness—I set out to prove him wrong. Fast forward to 2021, I started imagining what a mobile bartending business could look like—professional, stylish, and completely customizable for any occasion.

Tyler quickly hopped on board—he claims it was because of the potential he saw in the business, but I have a feeling the road trip to Oregon, complete with picking up the trailer and sampling countless new breweries, had something to do with it!

Renovating our trailer was equal parts adventure and chaos—think late nights with sawdust in our hair, paint in places it shouldn’t be, and a constant soundtrack of “don’t touch that!” to our kids. In a moment of pure parental genius (or exhaustion), we decided to let the kids leave their mark—literally—by stamping their handprints into the bar’s finish. So now, every cocktail we serve comes with a little reminder of sticky fingers and a lot of love. It’s a family business through and through, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Our first party was a family member’s birthday, and we rolled in with the trailer ready to serve up some ice-cold, foamy beer. Let’s just say it was a bit too foamy at first—Tyler spent half the party dialing in the CO2 and tweaking the line configuration while everyone cheered him on between sips of foam-topped pints. By the end of the night, we had it figured out, and the beer was flowing as smoothly as the laughter. It was the perfect trial run, and a memory we’ll always treasure (even if Tyler still shudders at the word “foam”).

Fast forward to today, and we’re proud to be building an incredible community of supporters, both online and in person. With every event, we’re inspired to keep growing, upgrading, and dreaming up new and creative ways to bring unforgettable experiences to our local community.

Kristina , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi! I’m Kristina Hartman, a proud mom of two amazing kids and the founder of our mobile bartending business. My journey into this industry is rooted in a passion for creating meaningful experiences, paired with a love for bringing people together over great drinks. Before launching this venture, I spent years in product development, production, and digital merchandising, where I honed my skills in creativity, problem-solving, and delivering top-notch customer experiences. Those skills became the backbone of our business, helping us craft not just drinks, but unforgettable moments for our clients.

My husband, Tyler, brings his own unique expertise to the table. As an Army Medic Veteran with years of experience in the medical field, he’s no stranger to staying calm under pressure and handling logistics with precision—both of which have been invaluable as we’ve built this business together. His hands-on approach ensure that every event we serve runs smoothly, from perfectly poured pints to troubleshooting behind-the-scenes.

What We Do
We specialize in providing a fully customized, mobile bar experience for events of all sizes, from weddings and birthdays to corporate gatherings and community celebrations. Whether we’re serving ice-cold beer straight from the taps of our beautifully renovated trailer, crafting signature cocktails tailored to your event, or helping you curate the perfect drink menu, our goal is to elevate your celebration.

We solve a key problem for our clients: taking the stress and guesswork out of providing a memorable bar experience. We handle everything—from setup to cleanup—so you can relax and enjoy your event. Plus, we bring a level of professionalism and personality that turns the bar into the centerpiece of the party.

What Sets Us Apart
What makes us unique is the heart and creativity we pour into every aspect of our business. Our trailer isn’t just a bar—it’s a story, complete with our kiddos’ handprints embedded in the sink and cabinets as a reminder that this is truly a family endeavor. We pride ourselves on personalizing each event to reflect our clients’ style and preferences, whether it’s a rustic backyard wedding or an elegant black-tie affair.
We’re also passionate about connecting with our local community, supporting other small businesses, and finding new ways to bring people together. Whether we’re featuring local brews, collaborating with vendors, or just sharing a laugh over a picture-perfect pour, we aim to make every interaction meaningful.

What We’re Most Proud Of
What I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built—both the clients who trust us with their most important celebrations and the connections we’ve made along the way. Every time someone tells us we made their event unforgettable, it reaffirms why we do what we do.

At the heart of it all, we want people to know that this business is about more than just serving drinks. It’s about creating joy, building connections, and making life’s moments a little sweeter (or hoppier!). We’re endlessly excited about what the future holds and grateful for every opportunity to share our craft with you.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Our reputation has been built on a foundation of three key things: consistency, personalization, and genuine care for our clients and their events. From day one, we’ve prioritized delivering a high-quality experience every single time—whether it’s a small backyard party or a large-scale wedding. Clients know they can count on us for expertly crafted drinks, a beautifully designed setup, and service that feels effortless and professional.

What really sets us apart, though, is the personal touch. We don’t offer cookie-cutter solutions; we work closely with each client to customize their bar experience, from signature cocktails to creating a vibe that matches their vision. That attention to detail has made us memorable and sparked word-of-mouth referrals, which have been invaluable in growing our business.

Lastly, we’ve focused on building real relationships within our community, both online and offline. Whether it’s showcasing local craft brews at an event or sharing behind-the-scenes moments on social media, we’ve made it a point to connect with people authentically. Clients trust us not just because we deliver great service, but because they see the heart and passion we pour into everything we do.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My cofounder and business partner also happens to be my husband, Tyler, and our story is one for the books yearbooks! We first met at a Halloween party shortly after he returned from active duty. He was dressed in his Army uniform—fitting, considering he’s an Army Medic Veteran—and I went as Maverick from Top Gun. we hit it off immediately, but it wasn’t until we’d been dating for a while that we discovered something wild: we actually grew up together and had no idea!

As we dug through old elementary school yearbooks, the twist got even funnier—I had crossed his face out in mine. To this day, we laugh about how I unknowingly “canceled” him as a kid, only to later team up as life partners and now business partners. It’s a story that’s equal parts fate and comedy, and it’s a perfect reflection of the playful, adventurous spirit we bring to everything we do—especially our business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wanderingtaps.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderingtaps
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanderingtaps?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

Brit Solie
Catherine Straume
Casey Foss
Chelsea Sparber