We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Thea Engst a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Thea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
This is a lot, please feel free to cut it down!
Yes! I can’t believe that I’m finally able to answer ‘yes’ to that question.
I was working in hospitality for eleven years when COVID happened and I was furloughed. When I was welcomed back to work, nothing felt quite the same. I decided to take the leap and quit my job, moved to a less expensive city, and start my career change. I had already published one book, which I co-authored with my good friend and former coworker, Lauren Vigdor in 2017 called “Drink Like a Bartender”. The book was published by Adams Media, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. Coincidentally, in September 2020, they approached me again to consult on a new book called “The Unofficial Disney Parks Drinks Recipe Book”, the author Ashley Craft, does not drink alcohol and they wanted to feature some cocktails in the book so they outsourced to me.
I took the job and at the same time, began applying for full-time, part-time, and freelance writing work. Finally, by January, I had a well-paying freelance job, but it wasn’t enough. I kept at it for months, not taking any days off, not stopping applying for more jobs. Fortunately, Adams Media approached me again for yet another book for the “Unofficial Disney Parks” series. This time, it was an EPCOT-focused recipe book. I took the work and had another editor from a different department reach out, this time to be a co-author once again. They wanted to partner me with author, podcaster, and Greek and Roman Mythology Liv Albert to make a cocktail book inspired by mythology. So for five weeks, I worked on 75 original recipes for “Nectar of the Gods” and the EPCOT recipes. Surprisingly, I still didn’t have enough money to support myself. This entire time I was relying heavily on my life savings while I made as much as I could.
When “Nectar of the Gods” and the “Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook” was done, I went back to freelancing as a writer. I wrote for a local magazine as their cocktail developer and while they didn’t pay well, I had a $50/month tab at a local liquor store, so I could continue to grow my home bar. I did recipe development for High Peaks, a hemp extract company that wanted both alcoholic and nonalcoholic recipes utilizing their seltzer waters. I just hustled as hard as I could.
Finally, in the beginning of 2022, Adams Media reached out to me again. This time, they had approached my pitch for my first ever solo book. “Spirits of the Tarot” is a cocktail book that delves a little into Tarot, astrology, and even making syrups for your at-home beverages. I spent the winter writing it and creating 78 original recipes, one for each card. It is due out in February of 2023 and I am so proud of it!
But once again, the work dried up. In April of 2022 I had blown through my life savings. I had $600 to my name. I got a job at a bar with the intention to continue writing and hustling as beverage consultant. That’s when I got an interview at EF Education First, a travel company that paid well, gave great benefits, and included yearly free travel. I have been with EF since May of 2022. So yes, I support myself as a copywriter for a travel and education company, I continue to do beverage consulting for Adams Media (look for a new project from the mind of Ashley Craft!) and Fabrizia, a liqueur and canned cocktail company.
Most excitedly, I am in the process of launching my own business: Poetic Pours. They are instant cocktail jars, handcrafted by me in Providence, Rhode Island. Look for them this holiday season!
This was a tough process, if you didn’t get that! :) But, I wouldn’t take any of it back. I think it makes sense that it would take a global pandemic to force me out of hospitality and into a more entrepaneur-type career. I’m really proud of what I did and I’m excited for the future.
Thea, 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 working in hospitality in 2009 when I was putting myself through grad school studying Writing. Writing and hospitality, particularly cocktail development, are the two great loves of my life. I am fortunate that I am able to combine them professionally.
I took what I learned from more than ten years in hospitality and recipe development to co-author two books. “Drink Like a Bartender” (2017) is an educational book about beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails. “Nectar of the Gods” (2022) is a cocktail recipe book inspired by Greek and Roman mythology. I have written recipes for three more books “The Unofficial Disney Parks Drink Recipe Book”, “The Unofficial Disney Parks EPCOT Cookbook”, and a forthcoming follow-up. I also wrote and created all 78 original recipes for my forthcoming book “Spirits of the Tarot” due out in February 2023.
I now work full-time as a copywriter but I continue to do cocktail recipe development for various companies and publications. I am also launching my own business, Poetic Pours, which are instant cocktails in a jar (just add liquid!), handmade by me.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
My years in hospitality and my professional connections both in publishing and cocktail development have helped me enormously. When you do good work, the work speaks for itself. That being said, you also need to be able to promote yourself. That’s something I’ve learned a lot about in the last two years as I switched careers and developed a new focus. Be your own manager, be your own cheerleader, do not be humble.
Every book I have worked on, every publication I have worked with, has brought me closer and closer to my goals of being a full-time writer, cocktail developer, author, and business owner.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I am fortunate that my father is helping me to build Poetic Pours. I made him one of my instant cocktail jars for Christmas last year and he asked me why I wasn’t selling them. He helped me invest in brand development and buy equipment and the LLC. I’ve paid for what I can, but it really wouldn’t be possible without his faith in me and his investment in the business.
Contact Info:
- Website: theaengst.com
- Instagram: @engstythea and @poetic_pours
- Facebook: @engstythea
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thea-engst-50307045/
- Twitter: @engstythea
- Other: TikTok: @engstythea
Image Credits
Poetic Pours brand design by Misi Narcizo at Lakuna Design