Today we’d like to introduce you to Phoenix Nic.
Hi Phoenix, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
PBK Bartending began in 2010 when I grew tired of working at restaurants. I had just graduated college and had just moved into my first apartment. I knew that $80-100 tips per night was not going to cut it. I wanted to work for myself and set my own hours. I had already gotten my bartending certificate so there was nothing stopping me from starting my own company. The rest, as they say, is history! Since 2010, I’ve been able to take PBK everywhere—from weddings to backyard barbecues and pop-ups!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. In the beginning, I had no idea what to charge and some people took advantage of my naïveté. I thought if I charged lower than everyone else, I could gain more clientele. However, I ended up losing money because I was always willing to accommodate more for less. I was definitely young and wanted to satisfy all of my customers. In the end, I had to learn my own worth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I first started, I could not get all of the right equipment needed. No one was really selling bar tables for less than $1,000. Sometimes, I’d bartend from behind a 6-foot table. Or in a crowded space! Throughout the years, I’ve adapted and found efficient equipment that suited all of the bar needs. Coming from humble beginnings has made me more flexible. I am most proud that I can make almost any space an amazing bar area! Throughout the years, I’ve learned that it’s not about what you have, but what you can do with it.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Honestly, I’m not sure how much luck has to do with it, but I’ve been fortunate that I’ve been in the right place at the right time with the right people. Many of the events I have done come from word of mouth, and in some cases, new customers become repeat customers. I have some customers who have a standing yearly booking with me. In the same token, I have some who I feel like I’ve grown with. I’ve bartended their birthdays, bachelorette parties, and weddings! It’s an amazing feeling!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.PBKBartending.com
- Instagram: PBKBartending
