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

Jamais, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The Risk I Took: Starting MixingWithMay and Launching My Podcast

Starting my brand, MixingWithMay was a huge leap for me. I’ve always been someone who’s a bit reserved, and the idea of putting myself out there, on a platform where people could hear my voice and see my personality, felt like an out-of-body experience. But I had a vision, and I was the only person who can execute it.

The hardest part was definitely overcoming the nervousness and doubts I had about how I’d be perceived. The idea of sharing my thoughts, experiences, and stories felt daunting. I’d never done anything like this before, and at first, I questioned if anyone would even care to listen. But I knew that if I didn’t take the risk, I’d never know what was possible.

So, I pushed myself to step out of my comfort zone. I started recording and, gradually, I got more comfortable with the process. The more I worked on it, the more I realized how much I was growing in the process—not just in terms of creating content, but in becoming more confident in my voice and what I had to offer.

Taking this risk has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. I now have something that’s entirely mine—something I created, and it stands as a constant reminder that there’s no reward without risk. It has pushed my creativity, and it’s kept me motivated. I find myself brainstorming new content ideas, staying productive, and thinking outside the box more than I ever did before.

At the same time, it’s given me a sense of purpose that I don’t think I’d have otherwise. I see a lot of my peers stuck in the same cycle—going to work, coming home, and not feeling fulfilled. They often wonder why they feel lost or empty, and I think it’s because they’re pouring their energy into someone else’s vision rather than their own.

By staying consistent with my business and content creation, I’ve been able to motivate others too. I’ve had peers approach me, telling me how they feel inspired to start their own businesses, or how fellow mixologists want to get more consistent and start creating content themselves. That’s been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey—the ripple effect of taking a risk and seeing others motivated to do the same.

Looking back, I’m so glad I took that leap, even when it felt uncomfortable. Now, I have a platform, I’ve learned to push past my fears, and I get to inspire others to do the same. It’s a reminder to me that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.

Jamais, 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?

I’m May, the creator of MixingWithMay, a platform dedicated to educating people on the art of crafting cocktails and providing mobile bartending services for special occasions. My journey to where I am today wasn’t exactly linear, but it’s been one of growth, learning, and stepping outside my comfort zone.

Originally from San Diego, California, I moved to Atlanta after high school to pursue a degree in Biology at Clark Atlanta University. Growing up, I wanted to become a veterinarian, but after working as a vet tech during college, I realized it wasn’t the right path for me. This period of self-discovery led me to bartending, where I found a new passion. I was drawn to the creativity and the financial rewards, and after getting certified in bartending, I worked my way up to a fine-dining establishment.

At the same time, I was exploring other professional avenues being premed, including working as a scribe at an ophthalmology clinic. But my passion for bartending kept pulling me back, and during this time, it eventually clicked—I could start my own platform. That’s when MixingWithMay was born.

Through MixingWithMay, I create content that teaches people how to craft cocktails, offer mobile bartending services, and even host a podcast. What sets me apart is the emphasis on creating a personal connection with people. While many bartenders may serve drinks and move on, I focus on giving people a full experience. I aim to provide hospitality that makes every guest feel like family, and that’s what I want my brand to represent—connection and quality.

Bartending is more than just making drinks; it’s a journey that allows me to connect with fellow bartenders and guests. From networking and gaining a deeper understanding of the people you come across to building mutual support, it’s an experience that goes beyond the bar. Mixology, in particular, is an art and science—it’s not just about crafting a cocktail but understanding the techniques and ingredients that make each drink unique and memorable. The creativity behind each drink is an expression of both passion and skill, and I’m proud to showcase that through MixingWithMay.

The biggest challenge has been learning to navigate the entrepreneurial world on my own. There’s a lot of trial and error. I’ve invested in videographers and struggled with content engagement, but I kept pushing, and my consistency has paid off. Over time, my following has grown, and my services, such as mobile bartending, have gained traction as well.

What I’m most proud of is stepping outside my comfort zone to pursue entrepreneurship. It’s something that has forced me to face my fears, take risks, and grow in ways I didn’t expect. It has also allowed me to inspire others—especially my peers—who see me staying consistent and creating content. I’m proud to be a source of motivation for those who want to start their own businesses or explore their passions.

What I want potential clients and followers to know about me and my work is that MixingWithMay is more than just bartending—it’s about creating experiences, learning, and pushing boundaries. Bartending and mixology have taught me that there’s always more than meets the eye. Whether it’s the art behind the craft or the connections made along the way, there’s always an opportunity to grow, share, and inspire. I’ve created something that’s entirely mine, and through it, I aim to inspire others to take risks, follow their passions, and never settle for less than what they deserve.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

For me, my clients automatically become family once they book my services. A big part of that comes from my commitment to professionalism and ensuring that every event or party I’m a part of exceeds their expectations. When I get booked, I treat it as my personal mission to make sure their vision for the event is brought to life—and then some. From executing all the details they requested to offering top-notch service to their guests, my goal is always to deliver more than what they imagined.

Clear and fast communication is a key part of this process. I want my clients to know they can rely on me from the moment they reach out until after the event is done. By staying in close contact and being transparent, I ensure that everything runs smoothly and that their needs are met every step of the way.

After the event, the relationship doesn’t end. My clients often keep up with my mixology page, continuing to show their support. They refer me to their friends and family, and that’s when the magic happens—we start to establish a deeper, more personal connection. Most of the time, our personalities click, and we end up becoming friends. This is something I experienced a lot even when I worked as a bartender in Midtown. Many of my bar guests turned into close friends, and the connections we built became something beyond just a service—it became about the people.

In environments where people come together to enjoy spirits, it’s naturally a social setting. As a professional, it’s important to not just serve drinks but to provide a vibe. You become part of the energy, and that’s where authenticity and being genuine come into play. I think the key to maintaining strong relationships is being true to myself. I’m real with my guests, and I believe that authenticity attracts people to me. As a result, I’ve been able to foster brand loyalty not just through the quality of service I provide but through the meaningful, lasting connections I build.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Networking has definitely been a huge factor in helping me build my reputation within the market. There are always events, spirit education classes, and mixers going on, and I make it a point to attend as many of them as I can. These events allow me to meet liquor reps, fellow mixologists, and others within the industry, which has been invaluable.

A great example of this happened when I saw an Instagram ad for an event being hosted for Negroni Week by Conniption Gin. I didn’t know anyone at the event, but I decided to go anyway to gather content for my page. While I was there, I started chatting with some of the bartenders. The liquor rep noticed me recording content and ended up connecting with me via Instagram. Later on, she referred me to collaborate with the brand for French 75 Day, which was an incredible opportunity.

I believe it’s essential to put yourself out there beyond just the internet. While social media is an excellent tool for building connections, face-to-face interactions are equally important. When you go to events and engage with people in person, you never know who you might meet. For example, you could connect with a fellow bartender who knows someone looking for a bartender for an event. That’s how referrals and opportunities often happen. It’s all about building relationships and creating a solid rolodex of people in the industry.

By actively putting myself in these spaces, I’ve not only gained a deeper understanding of the industry but also built lasting relationships that have helped elevate my brand and reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mixingwithmay.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mixingwithmay?igsh=YjFucTZoZm53YTc0&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mixingwithmay?si=aUD4tO5uLwsKyhKt
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mixingwithmay?_t=8qH1z0K7udH&_r=1

Image Credits

Photographer: Alex McIntyre