We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sade Mack. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sade below.

Sade, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Coming up with the name of my company took about four days. I wanted something that was unique, catchy, memorable, and would capture the essence of what I enjoy. Knowing that I excel in mixing classic cocktails, I wanted to use that in the name. The next best thing is what we all look forward to, Happy Hour that is! So I combined the two, and The Classic Hour was created!

Sade, 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?

I started bartending about five years ago! I am a person who loves to have fun seeing others enjoy themselves with my craft as the life of the party! I was always the one making drinks for any event, engagement, or party, with that being said I decided to become a private bartender and take my hobby-turned-craft to the next level. As a bartender, I enjoy the history and the craft of creating cocktails. I love learning about the pre-prohibition and prohibition eras of how cocktails were able to stay alive during this time where the sale of alcohol was restricted, causing people to enjoy their drinks in a private, hidden low-key establishment. The Classic Hour got its name in just that manner. I excel in making “classic” cocktails such as Old Fashioned’s, Gin Martini’s, Manhattan’s as well as other cocktails that scream “classic”. When you think of Classic cocktails how can you not think of an original 1920’s speakeasy bar? That is the theme behind my business. I want the feel of the roaring ’20s to come out in these drinks through taste and its original recipes. But, don’t worry The Classic Hour can bring the good vibes of any cocktail!

Have you ever had to pivot?

In the fall of 2019 I decided to apply to nursing school. I was accepted and was set to start in January of 2020, I was ecstatic! I knew that nursing school would be a lot of hardwork and would come with a lot of sacrifice. I was doing well with business; obtaining clientele, working for venues and so much more. In my last year of nursing school the workload became intense, may more intense than I imagined. I did not know the extent until I found myself unable to bartend as much, unable to book engagements ahead of time due to sporadic schedule changes. I quickly learned that it was going to be difficult to do both. That was the turning point and pivot that I encountered on this journey. I had to take a break from one hobby that I love to focus on the career in healthcare that I also love. To not have everything all figured out and the lack of control was scariest part of this time. I graduated in May of 2022, and business is still not where it was due to my new career, but I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel that is allowing me to get back to The Classic Hour! I am finding ways to create my work/life/hobby balance and have it work in the best way possible.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Unlike most businesses, I do not have a great social media story that lead to 1000+ followers. Social media and marketing through social media has been a great challenge for me. I grew up in the 90s and I thought I had technology figured out until it came to trying to create a brand via social media. I just knew that I was going to have hundreds and maybe even a thousand followers, or maybe even go viral. To be clear, I have not. Maybe that was a good thing hence the previous story in regard to my career change. I am still trying to learn the ins and outs of social media, but I am looking forward to the day I reach that goal. If I had to give any advice, it would be to understand social media algorithms and how it works. That seems to be the biggest tip I’ve been given.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theclassichour.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/theclassichour
• Facebook: Facebook.com/theclassichour

Image Credits
Sade Mack and Justin Totten