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

Hi Louisa, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I’m extremely happy as a business owner, as it gives me the freedom to stay at home with my toddler during the week and allows me to be a more present mother.
It can be challenging at times to run your own business; with staying relevant to marketing ideas and just overall trying to be creative with new cocktail recipes for clients. When I have those days that feel more overwhelming, I do think about what it would be like to have a regular job but I’m suddenly reminded of my previous desk job where I was trying to breastfeed my 3 month old, whilst juggling an abundance of phone calls with clients and trying to meet my bosses quotas. This memory of the crippling guilt and stress it left me at the end of each work day.reminds me that the struggles I may feel with owning my mobile bartending business completely out weigh the stress of working for someone else. Trying to navigate motherhood and balance work is no easy task, I know any mother will tell you that. However, being a business owner allows me to work when I want and spend quality time with my toddler.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Let me introduce myself; my name is Louisa and I’m the proud owner of my mobile bartending business, Smashing Fizz.
I’m originally from London and have been living in the US for 12 years where I worked in many restaurants and bars for over 16 years where I learnt my craft. I absolutely love the hospitality business and constantly meeting new people.

I had done a few private bartending gigs before and just loved the freedom it gave me to be more creative with cocktails, but didn’t have the courage to fully go out into the unknown of owning my own bartending business .
I originally left the hospitality world to work for a sales company to start a family but the grueling hours and constant pressure to meet quotas were all to much once I welcomed my child into the world. My husband was the one who told me to quit my 8-5 job and gave me the courage to venture out on my own into mobile bartending.

It took a lot of discipline and perseverance to even get my business noticed. I started doing parties for family and friends just so that their guests could see what I offered. With doing that I scored my first wedding and the rest is history.

I think what sets me apart from others in this industry is that I go above and beyond from first phone call to day of the event. I love to get to know my clients so that I can curate customized cocktails just for them. I take the time to go shopping for beverages either with or without the client and I also give my clients a list of how much ice or even non alcoholic beverages they will need for each event.

I’m most proud of how Smashing Fizz has grown so much just through word of mouth. I feel so fortunate to know that the services I offer make my clients refer me to friends and family.
I’ts truly been such a blessing to have bartended so many weddings, birthdays, baby showers and more!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think whats helped me build my reputation within my market is my professionalism. Always being reliable, arriving to an event on time and being able to handle unexpected situations in a calm manner. I really care about my clients experience so I always go the extra mile in making every guest feel welcomed and special.
Its not just my professionalism that has helped build my reputation but also the quality within my craft. I make sure that I consistently deliver well-made, balanced cocktails using fresh ingredients as well as offering custom cocktail menus tailored to each client’s event theme or preferences.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The foundation of my business has always been the trust of my clients. Most new clients find me through personal recommendations from past guests or hosts, which is the highest compliment and testament to the experience we have created together. However, for weddings in particular, I’ve had the privilege of being a preferred vendor at Countryside Chalet in Linwood Kansas. They have connected me to countless couples seeking a bartending experience that matches the elegance of their special day and have entrusted me with one of the most important days of their lives.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: smashingfizz