We were lucky to catch up with Valentina Ramirez-raudsepp recently and have shared our conversation below.
Valentina , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Cocktail Gals from an overview perspective is a simple concept. To come together, meet new gals, and enjoy curated cocktails. However, from my personal and professional experiences, I wanted to make sure we made a further impact.
My first job out of college allowed me to work for the Properties Department at Yale University. This department solemnly focuses on continuing to enrich the downtown areas alongside the city of New Haven, Connecticut. During my time in this role, I was able to learn the ins and outs of small business owners. From operations, to opening doors, and making sure business thrived even during down periods.
My undoubted appreciation for independent business owners grew stronger when we faced the pandemic. I learned that without a strong support system you can’t succeed. We encountered some of the toughest times most of the business owners have ever seen. Much like others across the country many had to permanently close. Yet we made it our mission to push social media campaigns, build websites, and promote drive-up pick so they could stay open. To many businesses this was tremendous help as marketing for themselves became difficult when running operations at the same time.
The city and University teams working together caused immense positive impacts for all businesses in the southeast area of the state. Allowing many to keep their doors open at the time. Now, three years later, many new businesses flooding to open new doors in the vibrant downtown.
The impact I saw from the properties teams, the community, students, and the state made me realize how powerful community impact can support the economy. Due to these experiences, I have voluntarily attested myself to be an ambassador for supporting small businesses. The value that we as consumers bring to their doors and families is immeasurable. Therefore, when creating Cocktail Gals the initiative to support business owners what a no brainer.
Valentina , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Cocktail Gals is a social club with a mission to bring gals between 21-35+ together to enlist in new friendships after every event. While also strongly encouraging the purchases at the participating venue to support independently owned businesses.
That allows the gals attending to know that their purchase of alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks and tips all go towards furthering the support of boosting local economy and empowering business owners to thrive.
What sets this club apart from others is our curated vibe for all of our events and the type of atmosphere we create. The theme of our socials represents chic, sexy, fun, and entertaining really channeling the “girls night out” aura.
Our proudest accomplishment so far (since we’re new!) is reaching over 1.2k followers on TikTok with over 30k views in our first 5 days of launch. While quickly growing our Instagram to 600 gals with a strong 35% engagement rate in our stories, polls, questions, and photos.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Cocktail Gals is methodically put together to create a curated aesthetic. One that is inviting to those who seek a chic, fashionable, sexy but chill group of gals to bond with over cocktails.
As a gal who grew up in the northeast constantly being in NYC; I’ve been highly attentive to the social media pages of fun bars and restaurants who host girls night out. Additionally, I’m extremely intentional about making sure all types of gals are represented. Specially in our frequent “outfit inspo” for upcoming events. Making sure we’re body positive and representative is important. While certainly allowing all of our gal audience 21-35+ to feel comfortable to join any event.
Social media platforms have been a great help to the success Cocktail Gals has seen thus far. While I can’t attest all credit to any in particular, being able to showcase the aesthetic to a large audience on TikTok and Instagram has been integral to it early on.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
Cocktail Gals is actually a completely self-funded social club. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredible businesses willing and able to allow us their space for our events. After all, the motive behind the event and attendance is to support the business at that time.
As of right now, being new to Atlanta the goal is to encourage gals to join us for all the free events hosted coming in 2025. In the future, I’m working on being able to provide attendees with a curated experience. Whether it’s tickets to a show with a small group of girls, a cocktail making class, or even a free drink included in your ticket to enjoy an exclusive location.
All of this can’t happen without having attendance grow and continuing conversations with local businesses. So if you’re an independent business reading this, let’s work together!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cocktailgals
- Other: tiktok: @cocktailgals
