We were lucky to catch up with Kelsey Brandon recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kelsey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Sixteen years ago, I began working in the service industry. I’ve always had a love for giving people the best experience possible. I achieved this by being intentional and anticipating anything they may need. I later left to try out the corporate world. I felt like I was missing something, but I did not want to get back into traditional bartending at a bar or restaurant.
I remember sitting down watching a show called ‘Four Weddings’ and thinking, mobile bartending would be a fun side hustle to get back into the service industry. I instantly got started on legal work and researching on how to make my dream a reality. Several months later, Tom’s Travelers was born.
The tap truck and tricycle were added several years after the business began. These were my passion projects. I absolutely love transforming something tired into something beautiful and functional. I was searching far and wide for something to set us apart and bring a unique experience to our clients. I spent many hours researching logistics and how draft systems are built and function. Our tap truck and tricycle have gone through some modifications since then and I am so proud of how far we have come.
Kelsey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been involved in the service industry for 14 years. I took my passion for bartending and social events and created a customer service-based bartending business. Tom’s Travelers was started in 2015 through a need I saw in the industry; a professional bar business that puts the customer first. Fast forward 8 years and we are a husband-and-wife team that loves celebrating love. We genuinely enjoy ourselves through the entire process and adore the friendships and connections we make along the way.
The name Tom’s Travelers comes from Boss Tom Pendergast. We are both history nerds and wanted to pay tribute to the impact he has made on Kansas City. We have two tap trucks, one tap tricycle, two champagne walls, and countless bars for rental. We are a full-service bartending company that can provide staff and liquor for any event or celebration!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I may be biased but Kansas City has the BEST business owners and peer support that anyone could ask for. There are so many ways to get involved and get your business out there. It is imperative as a small business owner to push yourself beyond your comfort zone, get involved, and meet other creatives. I have traditionally been more of an introverted person, but I can tell you going to vendor social events and networking has been instrumental in our business’s success. We strive to maintain these vendor friendships and lift other small businesses up in whatever capacity we can. We truly believe in the community over competition mindset. Tom’s would not be where it is today without the love we have received from our fellow friendors!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I am an extremely driven person, to a fault. I like to have control and do everything myself. I’ve had to learn that I can let go and rely on other people to lend a hand. I remember a time I was on my way to a stylized photo shoot for our tap tricycle a few years ago, it was an extremely windy day and my tap tricycle’s lid blew off on the highway damaging my never used draft system. I frantically was trying to figure out what I could do and honestly every part of me wanted to cancel the photoshoot. I phoned a friend, and they were able to drive an hour round trip before the shoot to replace the system. After the event I was able to vent to some fellow Kansas City bartending owners and eventually had a few laughs about the whole thing. I learned that community means everything and being able to step back sometimes and ask for help can give you the strength to accomplish so much more than you imagine. Side bar- my husband is amazing and MUCH better at helping me strap down our vehicles for events, I don’t have to worry about that learning lesson again- ha!
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Image Credits
Crown Stephens Photography Lacey Rene Studios