We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Catherine Chambers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Catherine , appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I cringe a bit when I hear the word “success only because it’s so personal and truly cannot be measured- it’s a feeling! I don’t want people to get trapped in this idea that if they have XYZ then they will be successful and then they will be happy. There is also not a fair playing field for what capitalism has defined as success so it feels really important that we start looking at success as what happens when you start to love yourself and not compare your journey to others. When you have a deep peace in your heart.

For me, my business and personal success are deeply intertwined. It’s why I started a business so I that I no longer needed to separate and compartmentalize my life- each win is a win for my life, holistically. Success to me feels like:

Freedom & Fulfillment- The ability to run my business on my terms while still having quality time for family, travel, and personal growth. Creating a life that feels aligned with my values rather than just chasing financial goals.
Impact & Connection- Bringing people together through beautifully curated events, hospitality, and personal moments that feel special and intentional.
Building a brand (Soulful x Sips and beyond) that’s not just about transactions but creating experiences that resonate.
Creativity & Growth- Having the space to innovate and evolve, whether through unique event styling, cocktails, or branding. Staying inspired, adaptable, and open to new ideas, whether in business, motherhood, or life.
Authenticity & Vision – Staying true to my personal style and brand identity rather than following trends.
Strong Relationships – The network and the connections I have built (with clients, vendors, and my community) are everything.
Adaptability & Grit – I am resourceful and not afraid to pivot when needed, whether in business or life.
Work-Life Harmony – Success isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart so I can enjoy the life I am building.
Confidence & Boundaries – Knowing my worth, pricing my services accordingly, and not overextending myself.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m the founder of Soulful x Sips, a luxury mobile bar company. I am event stylist and planner, passionate about creating unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a large-scale celebration, my goal is to bring people together through beautifully curated moments, thoughtful design, and impeccable hospitality.

How I Got Started

My love for creating experiences began long before I entered the events industry. I grew up surrounded by nature, spending my childhood between the beaches and redwoods of California. Those early years instilled in me a deep appreciation for natural beauty, connection, and the feeling of being fully present in a moment. That same essence of wonder and intentionality now guides my work—whether it’s styling an event or crafting a signature cocktail, I want every detail to enhance the experience and create lasting memories.

For over a decade, I worked as a corporate event planner, managing large-scale productions and high-end gatherings. It was fast-paced, high-pressure, and honed my ability to execute flawless events down to the smallest detail. Then, at 7.5 months pregnant, I was laid off. That moment—one that could have been purely devastating—became a turning point. It pushed me to rethink what I truly wanted: to build something of my own, something that blended creativity, hospitality, and a sense of community.

That’s when Soulful x Sips was born. I took my experience, my love for beautiful gatherings, and my belief in the power of human connection and channeled it into a business that creates not just events, but experiences with meaning and intention.

What I Offer:

Soulful x Sips is not just a bar—it’s an experience. My team and I specialize in:

Luxury Mobile Bar Service – Featuring our 1965 Ford Falcon bar, a four-tap system, and handcrafted cocktails tailored to each event.
Event Styling & Design – Bringing creative, elegant, and on-trend aesthetics to weddings, private events, and corporate gatherings.
Event Planning & Coordination – Ensuring seamless execution, from concept to completion.
Bespoke Cocktail Curation – Custom signature cocktails that reflect the occasion and the people celebrating it.

What Problems Do I Solve?

Making events stress-free – Clients come to me because they want a seamless, well-executed experience where everything—from drinks to décor—feels intentional and elevated.
Enhancing guest experience – I create immersive environments where people don’t just attend an event; they feel part of something special.
Bringing a unique, high-end touch – My background in event styling ensures that every event is a visual and sensory experience, not just a gathering.

What Sets Me Apart?

Authenticity & Personalization – I’m all about crafting experiences that reflect the people celebrating. Whether it’s a wedding, a brand launch, or a milestone birthday, I take the time to make it uniquely theirs.
A Balance of Luxury & Soul – My brand blends effortless elegance with genuine hospitality, ensuring every event feels chic yet warm and inviting.
An Eye for Design & Detail – With a background in event styling, I don’t just provide a service; I curate an entire aesthetic, ensuring that the event’s design and flow are cohesive and memorable.
Rooted in Community & Connection – As a Santa Cruz-based entrepreneur, I love supporting other local businesses and collaborating with creatives who share my passion for meaningful gatherings.

What I’m Most Proud Of

I’m incredibly proud of the community and experiences I’ve built through Soulful x Sips. Seeing the joy on clients’ faces when they realize their event is even better than they imagined—that’s what fuels me. I also take pride in running a business that welcomes and celebrates everyone—whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast or someone looking for elevated zero-proof options.

What I Want You to Know

If you’re looking for a team that deeply cares about your event and will bring creativity, professionalism, and a personal touch, let’s connect. Whether it’s a wedding, a corporate gathering, or an intimate soirée, I’m here to ensure your event is beautifully designed, well-executed, and completely stress-free.
Let’s create something unforgettable.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Yes, my side hustle became my full-time business, but it was something I started while I was still working in corporate events. For over 12 years, I planned and executed high-profile corporate events, developing a deep understanding of logistics, hospitality, and experience design. The work was honestly very limiting in many ways and I always felt a pull to create something of my own—something that reflected my personal style and passion for curating memorable, design-forward experiences.

I started Soulful x Sips as a passion project on the side. I loved the idea of blending my background in event planning with my love for beautifully crafted cocktails and immersive hospitality. I invested in a 1965 Ford Falcon bar, experimented with cocktail menus, and slowly started booking small private events. I was still balancing my full-time job, but with every event I worked on, I felt more drawn to the idea that this could be something bigger.

Key Milestones in Growing the Business:

Balancing Corporate & the Side Hustle – Before going full-time, I spent time building my brand identity, perfecting my service offerings, and taking on select events while still working my corporate job.
The Leap into Full-Time Entrepreneurship – Losing my job forced me to stop seeing Soulful x Sips as just a passion project and start treating it as a fully scalable business.
Expanding Beyond a Mobile Bar – Clients started asking for more than cocktails—they wanted event styling, planning, and full-service event experiences, which allowed me to expand my business model.
High-End & Large Event Bookings – As word spread, I began booking luxury weddings, private parties, and corporate events, solidifying my reputation in the industry.
Becoming Fully Booked & Turning Down Corporate Offers – When I started consistently booking events and realized I was making more from my business than I had in corporate, I knew I had fully transitioned from a side hustle to a thriving full-time career.

Today, Soulful x Sips is a sought-after mobile bar and event experience company serving Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur. I’ve built a business that blends high-end hospitality, intentional design, and unforgettable experiences.

Looking back, getting laid off was the best thing that could have happened. It gave me the push I needed to fully step into my own vision, and now, I get to wake up every day doing what I love—creating experiences that bring people together in meaningful ways.

The biggest lesson? Sometimes, what feels like a setback is actually the start of something greater.

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

When I first started Soulful x Sips, I wanted my services to be accessible to as many people as possible. I priced my offerings in a way that felt reasonable, thinking that if I kept my rates affordable, I’d attract more clients and grow my business faster. I believed that being budget-friendly was the best way to build a strong reputation and ensure a steady stream of bookings.

But very quickly, I realized that trying to be affordable to everyone meant I was undervaluing myself, overworking, and attracting clients who didn’t always align with the high-touch, curated experience I wanted to provide.

I was putting in hours of work behind the scenes—from menu curation to sourcing quality ingredients, styling events, and creating an unforgettable experience. But because my pricing wasn’t reflective of that effort, I found myself feeling burnt out, overextended, and frustrated. I was constantly saying yes to bookings that left little room for creativity or profit, and I knew something had to change.

I had to unlearn the idea that affordability equals success. Instead, I shifted my mindset to focus on value and experience. I raised my prices to reflect the level of detail, expertise, and quality I bring to each event. I positioned Soulful x Sips as a luxury service, not just a mobile bar, and began attracting clients who appreciated the intentionality and craftsmanship I put into my work.

The result? I started booking fewer, but higher-quality events, working with clients who trusted my vision, and creating experiences that felt deeply aligned with what I set out to do in the first place. I no longer felt the need to convince people of my worth—they saw it.

This was a tough lesson, but an important one: I don’t need to be for everyone. I need to be for the right people. And by embracing that, I’ve built a business that’s not only financially sustainable but also creatively fulfilling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://soulfulxsips.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulfulxsips/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulfulxsips/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-heinzmann-chambers-2086b248/
• Other: http://google.com/maps/place/Soulful+x+Sips/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x161f745eb80ec540?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111

Image Credits

Cassandra Cleave