Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Aubrey.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in New York, but I grew up on the East Coast of Florida. Growing up I was constantly around entrepreneurship. For as long as I can remember my parents always owned their own businesses. I don’t really remember a time from my younger childhood where I wasn’t heading to the shop with them while they worked. I’d like to think this had a big impact on where I am today. I never really gave being a business owner real consideration in my younger adult life. I have always been in the service industry, mostly as a bartender. My first job as a bartender was at a golf course, where I worked as a bartender/server – that’s where I learned how to pour my first draft beer! Trust me if you have never poured one it’s harder than it looks to get it perfect. I have had a handful of bartending jobs throughout the years. Mainly at restaurants. Later on in life I found myself relocating to Alexandria, Virginia when my fiancé accepted a job offer in the area, We have been in Virginia off and one for almost 10 years now.

My experiences from bartending have made me knowledgeable about cocktails, which played a large role in me being able to craft custom cocktails for each of my events based on my clients’ vision. Although working at a brick and mortar bar was not the most enjoyable at times, the experience and understanding I gained from working and managing set me up for success to run my mobile bar.

I have had my mobile bar business for over 5 years now. I launched the product side of business in 2020 when the pandemic hit. I knew events were on pause at that time and needed to pivot to continue to be successful. That is how our drink accessory line was born. I was not prepared for them to take off the way they did!

After working numerous weddings, I’ve learned more about brides and the type of details they wished they had at their weddings to make them unique. As a result, I spend a lot of my time creating unique designs for my cocktail accessories that are strictly tailored to weddings. While I love designing for weddings, I am now doing custom drink accessory designs for all types of events! We have done anything from birthdays to graduations and bach parties! I will always appreciate a great party theme because it allows me to fuel my creative side. I love hearing my clients’ ideas and working with them to come up with super fun and unique designs!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Despite my successes, owning my own business has presented challenges. I have had to sacrifice several events and weekends for the last 5 years. While I do not regret being self-employed and would do it all over again, owning and running a business is hard, especially when you don’t have employees. There are no days off and I do have days when I want to give in and quit, but I remind myself of why I started. I think about every previous job I have had and remember how I never felt happy or satisfied. I NEVER want to be in that place again. And that is why I continue to work hard every day, so that I will never have to work for someone else’s dreams except my own.

In business you will come across difficult clients. I have learned from this tremendously and learned that you have to set boundaries for yourself and your business. It is so important to understand that not every client is for you or will align with your beliefs. When I had to let go of a client for the first time, I was terrified but in the long run it made me a better person, better at running my business and I learned to stick to boundaries. I have to remind myself constantly that it is okay to say no.

No matter the struggles I have had along the way they have all taught me something, I will and can overcome anything that is put in front of me. You are so much stronger and resilient than you think!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The Sip Social Co is a boutique event company. We specialize in creating custom event details for all types of events. We also have a vintage camper bar that is rented out for weddings. I think what sets my business apart from others is that I have worked numerous weddings with our bar and have gained experience with the type of details clients want for their wedding bars or just events in general.

I am so proud of this business I built from the ground up. We did all of the renovations on our vintage camper ourselves. During the pandemic is when I decided to start making event details as an add on to the mobile bar. I eventually decided to sell nationwide and our products took off. Everyday I am in disbelief how successful that side of my business is. We have been published many of times in huge wedding blogs and magazines. We have even made drink accessories for a celebrity wedding that People Magazine published! These are just a few of our accomplishments, but they have been pretty awesome to experience. I am super proud and grateful beyond belief for the past five years of entrepreneurship.

What matters most to you?
Customer satisfaction matters the most to me. I gain so much happiness and fulfillment when I know that I provided my customers with awesome service and products. I think that feeling I get when my clients are so happy when they get their products is why I continue to do what I do. It is such an amazing feeling and fills my heart with so much joy and gratitude that I get to do what I love as a job and make others happy at the same time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thesipsocialco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesipsocialco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thesipsocialco/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesipsocialco