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

Hi Bryan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I’ve always known I wanted to run my own business – something that gave me the freedom to work the way I wanted and create something from the ground up. A while back, I bartended my friend’s bachelor party, and even thought it was just for fun, something about that experience stuck with me, it felt different than working a regular shift – more personal, more creative and more fulfilling.

About a year later, someone reached out and asked if I could bartend their party. That moment kind of lit the fuse. I started thinking about how I could turn this into something real – a business where I could bring high-quality cocktails and hospitality to private events, but in a way that felt effortless and enjoyable, both from me and the people I served. That’s how Neat & Shaken started – not from a big plan, but from a genuine desire to work on my own terms and bring something thoughtful to the table.

Bryan, 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?

Neat & Shaken handles private events, from intimate gatherings to backyard parties, bringing a curated cocktail experience that feels personal and relaxed. I take care of everything from bar setup to fresh ingredients, making sure guests feel like they’re getting something special without it feeling forced.

I focus on the details that make a difference without drawing attention to them – like using fresh juice and making sure each cocktail is balanced while approachable. My goal is for guests to feel comfortable and taken care of without it ever feeling overdone.

What I’m most proud of is that I built this from the ground up – no funding, no marketing agency, just me figuring things out and focusing on giving people a good time. I want potential clients and followers to know that this brand is personal – it’s about creating moments people remember.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I started Neat & Shaken, I didn’t have a business plan or funding. I was working at a restaurant, bartending full-time, and trying to figure out if this idea I had – bringing craft cocktails to private events – could actually become something real.

What most people don’t know is that I launched my business while recovering from a broken foot. I couldn’t walk properly, and I was still booking gigs, organizing events, and handling all the logistics on my phone – everything from marketing to shopping to creating custom menus. It wasn’t glamorous, but it made me realize how badly I wanted to build something of my own.

There were definitely moments where I questioned if it was worth the stress. I didn’t have anyone telling me I was on the right track – I just had to trust my gut and keep showing up. Leaving my old bar job was tough, too. It was the safe choice, but I knew I couldn’t keep pouring energy into a place that didn’t align with where I wanted to go. So I made the leap and kept pushing forward, even when I wasn’t sure what would come next.

Resilience, for me, wasn’t some big dramatic comeback – it was doing the unglamorous work, staying consistent, and believing that the effort would pay off. And slowly, it did.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn was that I needed permission to start. For a long time, I thought I had to wait until everything was perfectly lined up – the branding, the pricing, the gear, the social proof – before I could officially launch my business. I was stuck in the mindset that I had to be 100% “ready” before anyone would take me seriously.

But the truth is, Neat & Shaken didn’t start with a business plan. It started with me bartending a party and realizing I could bring something special to the table. Once I stopped waiting for some invisible green light, things started moving. I learned that clarity doesn’t always come first – action does. I built my brand by doing, learning, adjusting, and trusting that I could grow into it as I went.

That mindset shift – from waiting to starting – was the real unlock for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://neatandshaken.co
• Instagram: @neat.and.shaken
• Facebook: Neat & Shaken
• Linkedin: Bryan Douredjian