We were lucky to catch up with Acacia Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Acacia, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

First thing first. Risk excite me. The unknown territory of what could be, or not be is a thrill in itself and a lesson to be learned. The biggest risk I have taken as a Woman and Entrepreneur is believing in myself, along with my widespread, versatile vision. As a young girl and young adult self belief was one of my greatest challenges for various reasons that I experienced in my youth. A broken home and watching my devoted single Mom struggle and overcome so much alone played a major effect on me and my self esteem. With that being said, I got a bit lost in the sauce of my true self and vision. It was a blur at one point and time in my life. The first risk I took was dropping out of high school to go into a military program called Youth Challenge, to create structure and boundaries for myself and environment. From that moment, at the age of 16, I then began to be able to hear my inner voice a bit more. After that phase, I became pregnant at the age of 17. From there I enrolled into my first trade program to become a CNA to gain stability for work to raise my son. I was an immediate single Mom and I immediately began to do what I saw best growing up. Hustle and maintain. Fast forward to 2015, I took my next big risk of moving across seas to my secondary home in England. It was by far one of the best choices I could’ve ever made. It opened my eyes to what I was capable of achieving in many ways as a Woman, Mother and aspiring Entrepreneur. I began my bartending career at a Pub in England, called The Mad Cat. They embraced me and allowed me to be me, as I learned the ropes and craft of all that it means to be a Bartender. I had to earn my position with the locals all while staying true to the zest of my spirit and personality. I loved every moment of the challenge. I moved back to the states a year later and K.Kay the Bartender was birthed in 2019. I took a risk of investing full time as a Bartender, and Bar Manager at Taste Of India Restaurant and Bar. After that location closed that I managing, I then knew it was time to put all my lessons, and experience to the test of stepping out on my Own finally, and becoming The Business Woman and Entrepreneur that I am. From there Spice Girl Mixology & Bartending Co. has become my next greatest risk, thrill and investment. This is a game changer for me. Along with the evolution of who I am becoming as I grow, learn and continue to take more risk in this development of my business. So from here, it’s…. To Be Continued…..

Acacia, 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?

So, to provide some back story as to who I am and how this is truly a divine lane for me stems from my late Great Maternal GrandMother who was from Ilford, London-England and owned her own Pub. That alone instills a divine connection for me as an Entrepreneur and Master Mixologist. I also feel a spiritual connection to my Late Paternal Grandmother, as well, as she was also a Business Owner in Santa Barbara California. Owning her own 6 bed Nursing Care Practice in her home. That alone has been a reassuring and a boost for me within my self belief in my Business life. I look to them for guidance and reassurance. I know through them I have exactly what I need within me to achieve my vision. It’s in my blood. Literally. My discipline comes from the passion I have for what I do. My craft is apart of me; a piece of how I give back to the world, also known as my Clients and Customers. Through the love for what I do, My customer service skills, and desire to nurture my clients through providing them with what they asked for, or maybe needing me to assist them with what it is they actually want. I honestly specialize in free styling on the dime per request or them not knowing what it is they’re looking for. I ask a few questions to my client to summarize their taste palette and/or mood for the occasion and my mind automatically gets creative and from there magic begins to happen. I love it.
My products that I am launching in 2024 are super personal to me and a reflection of my core values. I am creating a All Natural Hydrating Sports drink geared toward the Youth. I am a Mother of 2 boy’s and I have also worked very closely with the youth in my community. My love for my community, our youth and humanity in general runs deep. So I have decided to create a product that will naturally hydrate our athlete’s, and all Children in general. My goal is keep it naturally flavorful, without the high content of sugar. As scientifically proven that high sugar levels is counterproductive to thorough hydration. My second product will be a launch of 3 personalized all natural beverage mixer’s for Mocktails, Cocktails or Virgin Beverages that underage minors can enjoy. Again, it’ll be aligned with my core values of keeping it naturally sweetened, flavorful and within its purest form for the best health value, as you enjoy your beverage of choice. I also specialize in vegan preferences and I studied the science of alkaline foods verses acidic foods to help maintain the most healthiest indulgence for our bodies. This way it allows a guilt free, or more so a healthier balance between between the barriers of alcohol beverages, and Mocktails. Flavor in its natural form with the right ingredients is very possible to create for all health types. Whether a person may be diabetic, an Athlete, or seeking a health goal I am definitely creating a versatile lane with the flavor, alkalinity and herbal components to fulfill the desired beverage of choice. I also have a line of Organic Dehydrated fruit that Will be available to accommodate your beverage of choice. It can be used as a beautiful garnish or as a tasty snack. Either way, Spice Girl Mixology & Bartending Co has your taste buds covered.
On my service side as Mixologist I also offer Bartending services for pretty much all event types. I have a staff of Professional Bartender’s available to assist me with events for weddings, parties of all sorts with the flexibility to travel as well to service you with exceptional and professional service. My website is currently being developed now to assist with customized bookings and product purchase.
As for what sets me apart from others is perhaps my way of thinking when and connecting everything that I do and create with my love for humanity. I’ve always had a wish and imagination for being able to save the world for the sake of everyone. I’ve since learned that the best way to save others is by saving myself first, and I do that best by staying true to me and operating with pure intentions for this unique world we live in. I am very much a fluid person and free spirit so therefore I am able to tap into the many aspects, ie, Spice’s of my personality. I honor that by creating based off of life’s inspirations and my with integrity. Overall, serving what is best for myself, allows me to pour my best into other’s. And I have no shame in who I am, my flaws and my intentions. I love to learn and be accountable for who I am so I can continue my journey through life with integrity. This helps keep my conscience clear and that’s how I do what I do best.
I am Most Proud of my growth, my family and my dreams. The compilation of those aspects is my fuel in life.
So now that you know the back story and a bit of the depths of my heart, I would love to explain the meaning of Spice Girl Mixology & Bartending Co.

To be clear, I am Acacia Spice. My own Spice Girl, as in the girl band from the 90’s. Being half English and a child from the 90’s, The Spice Girl’s taught me the meaning of Freedom within self expression through music, fashion, taking no crap from no one, Girl Power and having fun!
Each member of the band was unique and true to who they are. That always inspired me, so I am also a Spice Girl and that’s the inspiration behind my business name… along with the metaphor of Spice relating to different flavors in what I do within my mixes/beverages. A Spice Girl is many different things and is catered toward relating to all the different flavors and spices of this world we live in. It’s not just for Women, or health drinker’s… it’s for everyone that enjoys a little spice in their life. My bartending services allows me to get personal with you to share and showcase the array of spices and connections that come with my brand. You can also find this in my products and well, and my free styling techniques when I am behind the bar doing what I love. The world is a beautiful place, a place of love, pain, sadness, and joy… allow Spice Girl Mixology, aka K.Kay The Bartender, but also know as @Acacia_Spice to sprinkle some magical spices on whatever mood you may be in… I guarantee I have the flavor you need in my Spice kit to provide you with what you want and need. ✨💋

Ps
S/O my brother Nigel Williams for prompting the Business Name! 🤞🏽🙏🏽💚

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

This is a definitely a proud concept for me. 2023 was by far my most challenging year in my personal life. Again, I am a Mother of 2 boy’s, and we were faced with a challenge of being houseless this past Summer for 3.5 months. I use the term “houseless” over homeless, because we weren’t on the street or in a shelter. A shelter was the first option, as I was finally leaving a very unhealthy relationship dynamic. However, due to being a night worker/bartenders, I wasn’t allowed into the shelter that had beds available, because I wouldn’t be allowed to leave my children there. So, that wasn’t an option. My dear soul sister/ Friend named Annie P, also my nail tech offered me and my 2 boy’s her spare room to stay in. I was reluctant at first as I didn’t want to burden her, however after the shelter wasn’t an option, I knew in my heart that was a sign from God. And from there, I escaped that unhealthy relationship and freed myself and my son’s. In the midst of this going on I had bookings with my business and I still had to maintain my jobs to make the money to fund myself and responsibilities. In business, the early stages are about exposure, learning through trial and error and creating that wave of clientele for yourself.. so for me, on some bookings I might make a profit when it’s all complete, or I may just break even, or I may not make a profit or break even, but rather it becomes an investment for the bigger picture… with that being said, my resilience to endure, overcome and hustle was put to the test like never before. I had to persevere through the mental strife, and pressure of balancing it all out. My faith, village, family- children and my job all held me down and showered me with love and support which helped to fuel that resilience when sometimes all I wanted to do was run or lay in bed and cry.. but, no matter how challenging it was, God and my Ancestor’s kept blessing me with multiple bookings. I didn’t turn down a single one. Sometimes I didn’t even know how I was going to have the energy to do it, but I did it and I did it well. Again, I am so grateful and blessed for the support I had.. it was one of my hardest times, but It seemed like with every challenge I faced, I was rewarded with the bookings…

To Top it off, in November I WON an AWARD FOR BEST MIXOLOGIST AND FAVORITE BARTENDER 2023 in Savannah GA!!!!! You can’t tell me that wasn’t a divine lesson and blessing for truly doing what was best for me and my children despite the challenges: My resilience persevered and it paid off. God is Great. And my Faith is confirmation for all that I put my mind to.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn just going with flow and not listening to my gut!!!!

I partnered up and did business this past Summer with a fellow business owner.. long story short I had so many red flags when it came to how the person spoke to me, and treated me as a Business Woman. They treated me like an employee and not a business partner. I felt this in the early stages of us collaborating together and I keep suppressing those feelings thinking that I should just be grateful and grin and bare.. at the end of the contract I wasn’t allowed to see the books, revenue and I paid into the investments 50/50. I learned a valuable lesson. I RELEARNED to honor my inner voice, gut and intuition. I relearned my worth.. and how to conduct my next contract. It was a heavy feeling I had to feel when I realized I was right all along and didn’t speak up for myself or remove myself from the business deal. Lesson learned and now I am smarter than before.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Acacia_Spice @SpiceGirl_Mixology
• Facebook: Acacia Williams