We caught up with the brilliant and insightful LaKisha DuCreay a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
LaKisha , appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
One of the greatest risks I ever took was betting on a vision only I could see.
Years ago, before La’Creays was a recognized brand, before the luxury menus, corporate events, and curated cocktail experiences, I found myself at a crossroads. I was working jobs that paid the bills but didn’t fulfill me. I knew deep down that God was calling me to create something of my own—something that blended hospitality, creativity, and connection. But stepping away from what felt “safe” to pursue a dream with no guarantees? That was terrifying.
I remember the moment clearly: sitting at my kitchen table with a notebook full of ideas and a bank account that didn’t match my ambitions. I didn’t have investors, a business mentor, or a blueprint. What I did have was faith, a work ethic shaped by adversity, and a desire to serve people in a way that left them feeling seen, valued, and celebrated.
The risk wasn’t just starting a business—it was choosing to believe I was worthy of building one. I invested my own savings into bar tools, licensing, branding, and early inventory. I said yes to events before I even owned all the equipment. I showed up with excellence when all I had was passion, prayer, and a determination not to quit.
There were nights I questioned everything. Times I wondered if I misheard God. Moments when the bookings were slow, the expenses were high, and the fear of failure tried to drown out my faith. But I kept going. I kept serving. I kept learning. And I kept trusting that what was placed in my spirit wasn’t by accident.
That risk changed my life.
La’Creays grew from a small idea into a fully established, luxury bartending brand serving weddings, corporate events, high-profile clientele, and community experiences. It created opportunities for my family, my daughter, and the people who work beside me. It connected me with clients who turned into supporters, collaborators, and lifelong connections. And it proved that the greatest rewards often require stepping out before you see where the path leads.
Looking back, stepping into entrepreneurship felt like jumping without knowing if the net would appear. But God was the net. Purpose was the net. And every challenge that followed strengthened the vision I once doubted.
That risk taught me this: comfort never created greatness. Faith did.
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?
Absolutely. For readers who may be learning about me and my work for the first time, my name is LaKisha DuCreay, founder and owner of La’Creays Bartending Service, a luxury mobile bartending and mixology brand established in 2017 here in Los Angeles.
My journey into this industry wasn’t something I mapped out—it grew from passion, purpose, and a desire to create something that blended hospitality, creativity, and connection. I’ve always loved elevating moments for people, paying attention to the smallest details, and creating an atmosphere that makes guests feel welcomed and celebrated. Over time, mixology became the perfect outlet for all of that.
At La’Creays, we specialize in luxury cocktail experiences, providing full-service bartending for weddings, corporate events, brand activations, private parties, and immersive themed events. Our services also extend to high-profile clientele and celebrity events, where discretion, professionalism, and elevated presentation are essential. Whether the setting is intimate or high-energy, we bring consistency, creativity, and high-end execution to every environment.
We create custom signature cocktail menus, smoke-infused drinks, premium garnishes, top-tier bar setups, and engaging guest experiences. Clients come to us when they want more than someone to pour drinks—they want someone who can understand their vision, elevate it, and enhance the overall experience.
One of the biggest problems we solve is giving clients peace of mind. Many worry about bartenders being unprofessional, unprepared, or not matching the quality of their event. La’Creays removes that concern entirely. Our reputation is built on excellence, energy, consistency, and intentional hospitality. What sets us apart is not just our cocktails—it’s the experience behind them.
I’m proud that La’Creays has become a trusted and respected brand, serving luxury weddings, corporate summits, magazine events, celebrity gatherings, and community celebrations. But more than anything, I’m proud of the impact—creating opportunities for my family, inspiring my daughter, and building a business rooted in faith, service, and purpose.
What I want potential clients, supporters, and readers to know is simple: La’Creays is built on three pillars—
Crafting Cocktails. Creating Connections. Curating Experiences.
Everything we do is intentional. Everything is elevated. And everything is delivered with heart.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
The story of how I funded my business is deeply personal and rooted in both loss and purpose. When my mother passed away from pancreatic cancer, it was one of the most painful seasons of my life. Grief has a way of forcing you to reflect on who you are, what truly matters, and what legacy you want to carry forward.
When I received the beneficiary funds from her passing, I knew immediately that I didn’t want to use that money casually or without intention. My mother was a woman of strength, resilience, and quiet determination — the kind of person who encouraged me to dream beyond circumstances. So instead of allowing those funds to sit or disappear into everyday life, I made the decision to invest a portion of them into building La’Creays Bartending Service.
It wasn’t just about starting a business; it was about honoring her.
The initial capital went toward licensing, equipment, branding, tools, and the foundational pieces needed to bring my vision to life. It gave me the push to step fully into entrepreneurship, even though I didn’t have a blueprint, investors, or a clear roadmap at the time. Every time I showed up for an event, poured a drink, or created a signature menu, I felt like a piece of her strength was with me.
Funding La’Creays this way made the business more than a business — it became a legacy decision. It taught me that sometimes our greatest beginnings are born from the hardest endings. And today, as La’Creays continues to grow, evolve, and serve clients across weddings, corporate events, and high-profile experiences, I know she’d be proud of what that first investment has blossomed into.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A powerful lesson I had to unlearn was the quiet belief that success, opportunity, and breakthrough were things that happened for other people — not me. For a long time, I carried the mindset of, “Why would they choose me? Why would my business stand out? Why would this door open for me?”
It wasn’t that I doubted my work ethic or my heart. It was more of a subconscious limit I had placed on myself from years of playing it safe, putting others first, and not fully believing that I was worthy of the same level of success I admired in others.
The backstory ties directly to faith. As I stepped deeper into entrepreneurship, I found myself constantly praying for clarity, courage, and guidance. Over time, through prayer and faith, I began to realize that the real question wasn’t “Why me?” — it was “Why not me?”
God doesn’t give visions to people He doesn’t equip. The more I leaned into that truth, the more my mindset shifted. I had to unlearn the belief that I had to shrink myself or wait for permission. I had to let go of doubt, insecurity, and the idea that my blessings were meant for someone else.
Once I embraced the belief that I can do it, that I am capable, that I am chosen for the assignments and opportunities placed in front of me — everything changed. My confidence grew, my decisions became bolder, and my business expanded in ways I never imagined.
Unlearning that old mindset allowed me to walk fully in my purpose, trusting that with prayer, faith, and God’s guidance, there is no limit to what I can build or become.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lacreays.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/lacreays/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LaCreaysBartendingService/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lacreaysbartendingservice6180?si=Zf8tWvSCzbK7yI_I
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/lacreays-bartending-service-los-angeles
