Sarah Lawrence shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Sarah, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think the sheer volume of what we do, bring, provide – not only physically, but the energy and value we bring to your event is priceless. We are the only vendor who is onsite from beginning to end and is interacting with your guests the entirety of the night. A bar company can make or break the event, regardless of how much you spent on floral arrangements!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Sarah Lawrence and I’ve been in hospitality since 2009. I started as a barback in Australia, worked several high-volume clubs in London and have now been in Los Angeles since 2014.
I started Cali Craft Cocktails – an all-inclusive, high-end mobile bar with a focus on service and attention to detail, in 2015.
After my own journey with alcohol (I’m not sober, but did abstain from drinking for a year and see both the benefits and the downsides), I created Cali Craft Concoctions in 2024: “Same Bar. Different Consequences.” I wanted to provide the exact same bar, service and quality ingredients that we are known for, only sans alcohol. For too long people who have chosen not to drink have been given the option of a sugary soda, or a bland mocktail filled with artificial fruit juices and filler products. What we’re serving is a functional mocktail complete with adaptogens, nootropics and other FUNCTIONAL ingredients. Offering a buzz, but naturally and still able to drive home.
People shouldn’t feel left out, or that they’re getting a “worse” drink just because they’ve chosen a different lifestyle.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I still don’t see myself as clearly as I should, but it’s something I work on every day.
I was at a retreat in 2024 (the one that I created Cali Craft Concoctions after) and it was only then that I realized I see myself so differently than how others see me. I am so hard on myself.
After a week in this retreat it really helped me to change the narrative of what I see, because it’s just plain wrong.
If 100 people tell you one thing, but you believe the opposite, then you are in fact, incorrect. So after that, I started trying to see myself how others see me and not how I see myself, because my reflection is scarred and holds the weight of my experience.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
When we had nine events in three consecutive days.
Three events Friday.
Three events Saturday.
Three events Sunday.
The entire week was a mess of schedules and organizing and logistics and product runs and syrup making.
Come the end of Day 2, I remember laying on the ground as we were unloading ONE van from that day and still needed to unload the other two vans and then go about packing all THREE again… I was in so much pain, my back was shot, I was looking up at the stars crying and wishing the company had never started. This business is not just hours, time and stress, but it’s physical too.
I remember thinking why I didn’t pick something easier like photographer. I know photographers work hard too and are on their feet for 12 hours sometimes, but at the end of the day, you’re just holding a camera. Bartending (and the way we set up – we bring SO MUCH to make the bar functional), is just constant physical labor. Setting up and carrying heavy bars for 2.5 hours (not to mention the week-long prep before even getting on-site), open bar frantically making drinks for 5 hours, then breaking down for one hour and heading back to unload, reset and do it all again – all while keeping track of every team across every event site – the wear and tare on your body is horrible.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I make a point to be completely authentic online. What’s the point otherwise and how exhausting to have to keep up a facade of who you truly are. If you have two separate personalities, what are you hiding that’s so bad you can’t share it? 👀
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
My immediate responses, attention to detail and care about the project and their experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://calicraftconcoctions.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/calicraftconcoctions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lawrence-b9382928/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calicraftcocktails/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cali-craft-concoctions-lake-balboa
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@calicraftconcoctions
Image Credits
instagram.com/image.ap
