We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful LaKisha DuCreay. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with LaKisha below.
Alright, LaKisha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
I met my first client at a birthday party. A close friend of the family hired me, her name is Deborah. And Deborah lived across the street from the home I grew up in as a child located in Compton California. She wanted to jump start my business, she knew it would be important people at the party that would need my services. And she was correct! My first client was not a friend of Deborahs. I remember it so clearly; it was a great night with around 40 to 50 guests, and I was making a variety of cocktails I created. The music was right for the occasion, and I had the drinks flowing throughout the night. The guests were raving about my smoky cocktails, and peach margaritas, and I was smiling from ear to ear! It Warmed my heart to see everyone was enjoying my cocktails I created.
Now it is the end of the night, and I started packing my equipment up. A guest by the
name of Reggie called me over to his table, and he asked if I was available on December 17th because he was having a birthday party. I looked at my calendar and told Reggie I was available. Reggie booked me right on the spot with no hesitation in mind. He told me he loved my services, I was very professional, and my drinks were “Da Bomb!!!”. Reggie gave me $100 on the spot to reserve his date.
So now I am extremely excited! I just received my first client booking. I could not wait for Reggie and his guests to experience The La’Creays Bartending Service.
I scheduled a follow-up meeting with Reggie to have a cocktail tasting, and to make his first booking deposit. The cocktail tasting went great, and Reggie was satisfied with all the cocktails I created.
Now the big day has arrived for me to show up and show out! It is time for me to follow through on everything I said I was going to do. And I did just that! I set up a customized table setting with purple led lighting & glassware, the table reminds you of a candy buffet table that is set up with alcohol and lights.
Now guests are starting to arrive, and they are noticing the bar set up and looking over the signature cocktail menu I created. The guests were amazed about how good the cocktails were. Not one cocktail returned to the bar, or a complaint made. Throughout the night guests started asking me questions about my business and for my contact information.
After my first event with Reggie, he became a returning customer. That is how I got my first client that was not a friend or friend of friend.
LaKisha, 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?
Before I started my bartending service, I worked for a direct mailing company for 14 years. My professional background is in risk management and security. Also, I have been a RedCross CPR Instructor since 2004.
I got into the mobile bartending service, due to my mother passing away from pancreatic cancer. I used drinking to cope to get through the dark days during that time of missing my mother and trying to process everything I was going through. I became overly fascinated with creating cocktails, not just pouring simple rum and coke. I was creating and mixing cocktails to drink. The good thing is I did not stay in that energy for long I was able to pull myself out of it and heal through my rough patch of life. I decided to build off my pain and that’s how La’Creays Bartending Service came about.
I built a brand that all my customers can trust. You must set the tone for what you want and in return you will receive it back. It is called, sowing a seed, and having faith in God that he will bring to fruition. That is what set me apart from other independent mobile bar services.
I am most proud of building my company by myself, I did not have any donors, sponsorships, or anyone coaching me through the process. I was able to take the leap and keep going and never stop!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What helped me build my reputation within the bartending service market was my consistency, showmanship, professionalism, Integrity, word of mouth, clients and guests sharing my business with other potential customers who may need my services, and being able to deliver and execute on the services I am selling to my customer.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
My advice for managing a team is effective communication. Ensuring everyone understand each project and the goal, and everyone is on the same page to execute each event.
Ensuring my team have safe space where they feel comfortable to suggest changes or to do things in a different way.
As a leader you half to keep your emotions in control , promote a positive work environment, and respectfully speak to one another.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lacreays.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/lacreays/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaCreaysBartendingService/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwyTpVvXW2_nf1GHaVuSfAg
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/lacreays-bartending-service-los-angeles
Image Credits
LA Travel Magazine & OC Travel Magazine