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Meet JaNae Thomas of Glamorous Drinks in Mid-City

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Today we’d like to introduce you to JaNae Thomas.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2008, I was introduced to the service industry working at Pappasitos Cantina in Houston, Texas while I was in college. My personality is to serve and take care of people. Immediately, I fell in love with being a server. After a year and a half of serving and being promoted to head server, I was presented with the opportunity of moving to the bar. I was so scared because the idea of bartending actually overwhelmed me. I also worked at the #2 Pappasitos in the concept, therefore, we were an extremely high- volume restaurant. On the other hand, I am also always ready for a challenge; and so here began LOVE. Not only did I go through rigorous training having to learn over 100 pages worth of cocktails, I was also failed on some of my training shifts by the head bartenders. You had to pull your weight to get in, and they wouldn’t let you pass if you didn’t prove yourself, worthy. After a month of terrible shifts and being put on service bar, I proved myself worthy to be a part of the Friday night team. Most of the time, I was the only girl on a shift with all guys working behind that bar, but we were the “money team.” I enjoyed every second of the stressful, fast-paced environment and will forever be indebted to the Pappas Family for the knowledge and skills that will benefit me for the rest of my life.

While working there, I began to also work in the nightlife industry. I was fortunate to be hired as a bottle-service waitress by the Alife Hospitality Group at Zake Sushi Lounge. It was my first time working in this industry, but I learned so much. In 2010, I graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications primarily focusing on TV- Broadcast Journalism. I couldn’t see myself moving to a small town and working for $13,000 a year for a local tv station, so I continued bartending and waitressing. Fast forward, I got a job at Scott Gertner’s at the Houston Pavilions, was promoted to head waitress eventually, and began nightlife bartending as well in 2012. I left my home with Pappasitos and focused on the nightlife industry. By that time, there wasn’t a hot spot in Houston that I didn’t bartend or waitress at, however, I still wanted something bigger for myself.

My last year of college, I decided I wanted to be an entertainment reporter for “E News”! Traditional TV reporting just was not my thing. From 2010 to 2013, I begin to plan to move to Los Angeles. Honestly, fear kept me from moving, and I finally let it go. In October 2013, I made the big move to Los Angeles, California. Keeping in line with my previous experience, the first job I acquired was a bartender at Savoy Night Club and a server at Saddle Ranch Chop House on Sunset. My experience at Saddle Ranch was amazing but Savoy was absolutely terrible. I knew I had to do something because California was way too expensive, and I couldn’t see myself moving back home.

A lot of people never want to touch on this subject however, it was one of the reasons Glamorous Drinks was created and is an intricate part of my story. Because of my experience in the nightlife and service industry, I couldn’t imagine not being able to be hired at some of the hottest night clubs in Hollywood. It just makes sense right? However, I would make it to the final interview of each one, and I would never get a callback. Finally, after speaking with many people in the industry and reviewing staff photos, I determined, It was simply because I was black. My resume was over-qualified but my skin was under-qualified for Hollywood’s nightlife “approval”. However, God had a distinct purpose and plan for this and would not let me lose.

One day in 2014, I was on google searching for bartending jobs, and I came across Thumbtack.com. I was able to create my own profile as a bartender and inquiries were sent to me in regards to people that needed bartending services. The first event I booked was a bar mitzvah and I only made Sherry Temples and Roy Rogers for the children attending. That was easily the best 3 hours of my life! From that point forward, I began to get booked constantly and became one of Thumbtacks Pros. I was even fortunate for the CEO of Thumbtack to use my story in one of his keynote speeches.

Now we are in 2016 and I am a rated as having the number 5 mobile bartending company in Los Angeles. I was still working at Saddle Ranch full- time at the time, however, you know all good things must come to an end. I had to step out on faith and do what God was fulling calling me to do. In September 2016, I made the decision to leave Saddle Ranch and take on Glamorous Drinks full-time.

It was not always easy, however, it has been the best decision of my life. Glamorous Drinks has expanded to having an amazing staff of bartenders and waitresses. We provide service for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings (etc.) Anything you want to celebrate we create cocktails for! We have provided service for some of your favorite celebrities and professional athletes and always consider each time we work a blessing. In 2019, I was blessed to become the Event Specialist for D’USSE’ Cognac and am currently operating in this position, as well as, managing Glamorous Drinks full-time. During the pandemic, Glamorous Drinks released our “Ready- Made Cocktails”. We now serve premium bottled cocktails ready for you to drink and celebrate your special occasions with; order today! And the rest is HERstory!

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?
Honestly, it hasn’t been a completely smooth road, however, there’s no problem that doesn’t have a solution. God has been with me every step of the way. I’ve struggled by not having business capitol and financing everything myself. I am in debt from putting everything on my personal credit card now, on the other hand, it was worth it. It has been worth staying up late at night, working multiple jobs while trying to make Glamorous Drinks my primary source of income, and trying to balance having a life. In spite of everything, I wouldn’t trade it for the world, and I’m eternally grateful to wake up every single day and have something I call my own.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Glamorous Drinks – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Glamorous Drinks is a private, luxury bartending company. Whether it’s an intimate gathering, wedding reception, or grand opening celebration, Glamorous Drinks offers you the highest level of bar service. We create custom signature cocktails tailored to the theme of your event that encompass your vision. We love helping complete the vision to make your event a success. Creating custom cocktails that you love is our favorite part, and it helps us to keep a smile on each of our clients and their guest faces. It also makes the client’s party authentic to them and that’s what we love and enjoy about each moment of providing Glamorous Drinks mobile bar service. Our proudest moment as a company is working with some of the world’s biggest celebrities: T.I., Chris Brown, Kevin Hart’s Straight From the Hart Radio Show and Jamie Foxx just to name a few. They have been amazing to work with and we can’t wait to see what other clients we are able to provide a glamorous experience for along our journey.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
There are huge plans for the future. Glamorous Drinks is looking to expand to every major city in the United States, starting with my hometown Houston, Texas next. You will be able to have Glamorous Drinks service to help you celebrate any event or celebration nationwide. We would also plan to have our Glamorous Drinks Ready- Made cocktails sold in major retail liquor and grocery stores.

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Karenda Smith – @Ksmithqos All images with hat and black on, Jennifer Johnson – @Jenjphoto black and white staff image, with jersey, Thumbtack – @Thumbtack for images where I’m holding the drink or image where liquid is pouring. Sham- @Shotbysham – The 2 green outfit photos. The photo of the bottled cocktail is by me!

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