Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Embry.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started to bartend as soon as I was old enough, and I have loved it from the beginning. I have experience bartending at many different types of venues, from tiki huts on the beach to high-end nightclubs. The frequent question I received from patrons, however, was, “When are you going to get a real job?” So, I decided to elevate my love of bartending and take it to the next level by starting my own company.
I was brainstorming the idea of the ideal bar that I wanted to open and own. My mind was reeling between trying to decide between what the perfect decor, menu, and location of my bar would be. As goofy as it may seem, I had my aha! moment while watching some classic reality TV, realizing that all these swanky events that the real housewives attended all had private bartenders. It occurred to me that I did not really know of many affordable companies in Chicago that performed the same services, and thus Traveling Tavern was born.
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?
My biggest obstacle was honestly the fact that I was going through a separation from the father of my children while I was also trying to get Traveling Tavern off the ground.
Being a single mom and throwing myself into my new business was trying at times, but overall, completely rewarding.
What I love about Tavern is the flexibility of my hours. Most of the events occur on the weekends, so I get to spend the majority of the weekdays being a full-time mom. Being able to find that balance was tough in the beginning, but as my business and client base grows, I have found my hectic scheduling to be more manageable.
So, to date, I would say my biggest challenge is having to hide from my kids in a closet so I can eat some graham crackers in peace.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Traveling Tavern Inc. story. Tell us more about the business.
I genuinely believe the concept overall is unique. From the fact that it is a traveling service that offers personalized customer experience. One unique offer from my company is customized cocktails that I create for every event I host. So that hopefully a customized champagne topper that a bride and groom had on their wedding day will be remembered and recreated for anniversaries
*Private Bartending
*Private Waitstaff
*Personal Shopping
*Custom Drinks
*Set up & Clean up (events)
*Party Planning
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not sure how much I believe in the concept of luck, but I do believe that you get what you work for. I have worked incredibly hard for all my achievement and I think that is the reason behind the good fortune and feedback I have been receiving since Tavern’s start.
Pricing:
- Private Bartending $40.00 hour
- Private Waitstaff (add-on) $15.00 Hour
- Personal Shopping $40.00-$80.00
Contact Info:
- Website: travelingtavern.com
- Phone: 630-797-9387
- Email: travelingtavernorders@gmail.com
- Instagram: traveling_tavern
- Facebook: @travelingtavernchicago
- Twitter: @travelingbar
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/traveling-tavern-wheaton
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/traveling-tavern-chicago-and-chicago-suburbs-il-1010726
Image Credit:
Brandy Fik, Matt Cumberland
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