We recently connected with Teddy Martinez and have shared our conversation below.

Teddy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

In order to be successful whether it be monetarily, personally, spiritually or otherwise – you have to be as stubborn as you are coachable

You have to be stubborn in the sense that you only listen to yourself and people like you. You have to be willing to tell people to ‘be quiet’ because A. They’re not in your industry or B. They don’t have the experience to tell what how to work

But when someone does come along and meet the above criteria you need to, SHUT UP AND LISTEN. Be coachable – let the coach talk with no interruptions, that is your cue to be silent and take notes

Coaching comes in many ways whether it’s a 1 on 1 with a mentor or a random conversation with someone in your industry and they just happened to drop some gems during your conversation. Be open to people but be stubborn enough to sift through all the BS and discern what is best for you

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Teddy Martinez, I’m from Los Angeles, CA. I’m a bartender – I bartend full time at Melrose Umbrella Co. and I also bartend private events. I started making cocktails 8 years ago as a hobby and it steadily grew into an obsession, so much so that any time my friends had a party I would bring my bar kit and make cocktails for free (just to get my reps in, just because). I was coaching Crossfit, Olympic Weightlifting and doing personal training at the time so being a full time bartender seemed far fetched until a friend whom I met at the gym approached me about running a cocktail program at their gastropub, Bread and Barley Covina.

Despite the fact that I was diving into an entirely new and different industry, I accepted the role and it was off to the races from there. In conjunction with working at a bar, I also started bartending private events which was an entirely different challenge on its own. Navigating a new industry on two fronts taught me invaluable lessons on time management, efficiency, money management and building relationships. I have streamlined my private bartending business so much so that event before I book an event I know how much I’m going to make just based on the guest attendance alone but that didn’t come without making mistakes

Every private event I’ve done always teaches me something whether it be service-wise, moneywise or on a person-to-person basis. The most valuable thing is learning your value and not compromising it for anyone, no matter who it is. In the beginning I would always hesitate with my rate because I thought it may be too much but considering all the work I put into every event, I do not hesitate for a second.

I wish every client understood exactly how much time I put not only into the event but into each cocktail. Purchasing all the ingredients, liquor and spending time in stores is the easy part. Every cocktail I make comes with research and development, prepping, batching and my heart and soul

The same heart and soul go into my effort at my full time bartending job at Melrose Umbrella, even more so, in fact. It’s one thing to make cocktails for a party of 40 that knows who you are but to make cocktails for a constant influx of different people coming from all over the world is an entirely different yet satisfying ball game. I’m very proud of the work I have done behind the bar and during my private events. it. takes. WORK.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing personalities has always been a part of every industry I’ve been in, from sales to fitness, marketing and now bartending. Being the leader of a bar team comes with all types of challenges – we deal with a lot of mental health issues in the service industry and it is very out in the open within the industry. With that fact, the cocktails are last and leading with empathy and understanding are key for being a lead in the service industry.

A few years ago while I was coaching Weightlifting I read an article by US Weightlifting Hall of Fame coach, Greg Everett. In the article he was talking about when and when to not talk as a coach. He was noticing how coaches were talking at their athletes instead of simple listening or say less. That article is always in the forefront of my mind when I’m speaking with a team member – listen first and say less, let them talk

It’s a simple concept and it’s not practiced enough amongst leadership in the service industry. When people feel like they are heard they are confident that they are valued, you must let your team know their value. Your team’s performance is a reflection of your leadership

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

My best source of new clients are referrals. Social Media is great for brand deals and followers but the old school method of a previous client giving your name to a potential client has been my best source of new clients

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @teddysinthemixx
• Facebook: Teddy’s in the Mixx
• Linkedin: Teddy Martinez

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