Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Schulte.
Kelsey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m an entertainer and have always thrived off the creative process. I initially became a bartender to financially support myself while acting in LA. I never expected to find an outlet for my creativity as a mixologist and entrepreneur (thanks, Covid..). In 2013 I began bartending at a Sports Bar in Huntington Beach (Shout out to Surf Dogs) and recently until the shutdown, was employed at a restaurant and a music venue here in LA. When Covid hit, I lost both of my jobs and had to face the reality of how I was going to pay my bills. On social media, I noticed bartender friends were still keeping active by making a business out of batching their own cocktails. I thought, why not do the same with my friends and family and make it donation based? I’d always wanted to start my own business, but life kept me too busy to focus on it. It seemed like a scary leap, but it also seemed doable because of the pandemic parameters. Next step was figuring out the details: what to call it, how to market myself, how to distribute, and what I envisioned the flow of the company to be. The name Stir Crazy Cocktails came to me one night while brainstorming with my parents and my partner. “Stir Crazy” reflected how we were all feeling during the beginning of the pandemic. When I received my stimulus check, I knew exactly what to spend it on — the first batch of Stir Crazy Cocktails.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh boy, there have been plenty of obstacles. The learning curve was almost overwhelming, I felt like I had fifteen hats piled up on top of my head. I was managing social media, taking orders, resourcing materials for products, building a website, doing graphic design, delivering, packaging, shopping, and on top of that actually making a solid product that people were excited about. At first, I was working 12-15 hours every single day. I was mentally and physically exhausted. Because this was all new, I had to create a process that worked in my favor. Eventually, I found a routine that gave me room to breathe. I learned to disconnect when I needed to and ask for help. Asking for help has been the most important lesson I’ve learned from starting Stir Crazy. I highly recommend it.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a craft cocktail company that delivers cocktails straight to your doorstep. We use all-natural ingredients sourced from local farmer’s markets and growers. Each week we release a new cocktail menu that features seasonal flavors. We batch in a sanitized environment and take extra precautions to ensure clients receive a product that is not only delicious but safe. As part of our safety protocol, we follow all the CDC guidelines and regularly get tested for Covid.
I’m proud to say that as the business grew, I’ve been able to hire friends, who are also out of work, to help deliver and sometimes help batch. I’ve been able to help supplement their income as we all try to get through this together. What I wanted most from Stir Crazy Cocktails was for people to receive delicious craft cocktails that they could enjoy from the comfort of their home. I wanted people to have something to look forward to since we’re all in this weird limbo. What caught me by surprise was how thankful people are to receive and enjoy our product. It made all the hours and long nights worthwhile.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like in normal times businesses like mine may not have stood out. The pandemic gave us an opportunity to build a clientele, relationships and a following. With bars shut down, people craved a little-bit-of-normal while quarantined and that’s where my small window opened. People were so lovely by encouraging each other to support small business and “support your local bartender”. The idea of their favorite neighborhood spots being gone was very difficult for many to cope with. Moving forward, I think there’s a new appreciation for the restaurant/bar industry, and I believe people will no longer take it for granted. That bartender you’ve all seen running around like a crazy person during happy hour that forgot to get you a straw is now seen as an actual person who is dealing with the same life struggles during a pandemic that you are.
That being said, LA as crazy as it is, is the perfect city to begin a business. It truly is the city of opportunity if you let it be. And one dream can move over and make room for another. There are so many creatives that have pivoted and transitioned during this time, and it only demonstrates to me that this is a city where flexibility and a strong work ethic can be rewarded.
Pricing:
- Regular Cocktail Jar (4 Servings/Jar) $25-$30
- Large Cocktail Jar (8 Servings/Jar) $50-$55
- Regular Cocktail Package (3 Regular Jars) $75
- Large Cocktail Package (3 Large Jars) $150
Contact Info:
- Website: stircrazycocktails.net
- Email: Stircrazycocktailsofficial@
gmail.com - Instagram: instagram.com/stircrazycocktails
- Facebook: facebook.com/stircrazycocktailsofficial
Image Credit:
Christina Russo Photography
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