Today we’d like to introduce you to Steph Clark.
Steph, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I was in graduate school, I had been working at a restaurant in Thousand Oaks for over eight years and got promoted from server to bartender. Roughly the same time, I started getting into stand-up comedy because my graduate advisor was teaching a writing for performance class and part of the requirement was to try stand-up at an open mic. I really fell in love with bartending and performing stand-up the same year, so slowly overtime my passion for both turned into paid gigs.
My business, Funny Girl Events started as Funny Girl Bartender. I purchased a mobile bar, I would let my regulars know that I also bartend private parties and weddings, so lots of people would hire me for their events. As my love for comedy continued to grow, as well as my desire to be a better bartender, I found a better suited day job bartending at The Fat Dog in North Hollywood. I now had any night to perform comedy and really developed my skills to create craft cocktails to help my business expand. Starting stand-up comedy is tough; it’s even harder in Los Angeles.
Mostly, you’re competing for stage time with comedians that have honed their craft for years in their hometown and then move to Los Angeles. I was new and not at the same level, so I decided to create my own stage time and produce comedy shows. I purchased a PA system and would just approach various venues around Ventura County. It started off slow with just one-off events, but over time and with the help from my husband, Tom Clark who’s been a comedian for over 20 years, I figured out what makes a successful comedy event.
Today, Funny Girl Events produces comedy events at over seven venues in Los Angeles and Ventura County. We produce corporate comedy (Stand-up or Improv) for businesses, organizations, nonprofits, you name it! We also offer mobile bartending services for private events and weddings. We can create original craft cocktails based on the theme of the event. I still have my day job at The Fat Dog, but this year, I was able to cut back from five shifts to three shifts a week.
In addition to Funny Girl Events, this year, Tom Clark and I started “I’m a Rescue” podcast, where our guest tell us their rescue story, something they’ve overcome. Lots of fun things happening and I feel very fortunate it revolves around comedy and cocktails!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’m very lucky to have my husband give me really insightful advice and remind me that the entertainment business has its ups and downs. I’d say for the most part things have been smooth because I try my best to be organized and plan ahead. I’d say in the beginning the hardest part was getting a monthly comedy show going.
Now it feels that more businesses are open to comedy, so it’s more competitive for independent producers, but I think it’s a good thing! It makes us all better, and when opportunities happen, you feel more grateful.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Funny Girl Events – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Funny Girl Events offers comedic entertainment and mobile bar services. We provide stand-up comedy and or improv comedy shows at various venues. We also provide corporate comedy, perfect for private events and corporate events!
Funny Girl Events mobile bar services offers funny bartenders for every event. Meaning, our bartenders are typically stand-up comedians or improv actors. We create original craft cocktails to match the theme of your event for example.
We just bartended a Luau themed event and created a cocktail based on the Mai Tai with homemade almond infused simple syrup. You can even have the entire Funny Girl Events experience and have a comedy show and mobile bar! There have been countless events where I’ve bartended and then performed stand-up comedy.
Funny Girl Events obviously wouldn’t be as successful if it weren’t for all the hilarious female headliners we book! We hire both men and women, but part of the reason I wanted to start Funny Girl Events was to hire more female comedians, not just as regular spots on showcases, but as headliners. I’ve made that a primary goal and I truly believe that’s why our shows stand out more than others.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I feel very lucky and fortunate that I’ve been able to make a living from combining comedy and bartending. My focus is to continue to expand Funny Girl Events and be able to also grow as a stand-up comedian and recognize and appreciate all the opportunities that come my way!
Contact Info:
- Website: FunnyGirlEvents.com
- Phone: 8182773163
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Jenny Brezinski Photography
