Sometimes when you look through a business’ Instagram or website it can seem like the moment that they began trading they were instantly successful.
But often, beyond the large social media following and beautiful imagery from busy events, is many years of hard work and sacrifice to get to where they are now.
Olana and her company, Pour Girl Bartending, are no exception.
It took her several years of working the events circuit, networking with industry professionals, and hustling throughout the Californian coastal cities before her pioneering mobile bartending service took off.
Now offering craft beverage catering and classes, garden to glass cocktails and even adaptogenic tonics, Pour Girl Bartending are gearing up for a bumper year of events.
We caught up with Olana to find out exactly how she did it and what’s next for her and her team.
Who or what inspired you to start Pour Girl Bartending?
"Well, in 2009, after about five years of contemplating the idea of Pour Girl, I decided to give my idea a try.
I had tended bar through college and shortly after graduation, whilst working a desk job, I began to miss the social and active aspects of hospitality, as well as the artistry of cocktails.
I began bartending for a local food catering company, but the company was very food focused and the bar seemed to be an afterthought.
At this time the idea of beverage catering was unheard of, and I asked myself, why was this the standard?
A few days later I came up with the name Pour Girl.
I promptly filed a fictitious business name statement, acquired the trademark, and started promoting in any way I could think of."
What were the early days of the business like?
"After a couple of slow years in Monterey, I was asked to bartend a wedding at the Old Whaling Station Historic Adobe, for a friend’s sister.
It went really well, and I knew that a mobile bartending service would be a success, I just needed to be somewhere with more demand.
I decided to move the concept to Oakland in hopes that the people of the Bay Area would discover us.
Now the cocktail boom was hitting hard, and I wanted to soak up all there was to learn about it there.
So, I did just that!"
Wow, that’s a big decision to make for your business. How did it go in Oakland?
"About one year into Oakland living, Pour Girl began to gain some traction and I learned a lot about the industry.
In 2015, after returning to the Monterey Peninsula with big hopes of expansion, I reached out to every planner, venue, and industry contact I could find.
We began contracting high-end weddings and grew into a wedding-industry business, meanwhile continuing to pour in Oakland, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Big Sur and everywhere in between.
We evolved to hire experienced staff and focused heavily on craft cocktails. In 2018 we formed an LLC and expanded further, and in 2019 we had 144 events; our best year yet."
That’s amazing! It sounds like things were really taking off. It must have been pretty hard for you and the business when the pandemic arrived.
"During the 2020 shut-down, business took a hit, but in 2021 we made a strong comeback with the addition of Bar Bella (a beautiful mobile bar) and 100+ events booked.
Currently, 2022 is set to be another very busy year.
I am so grateful for all the incredible bartenders who have helped me achieve this dream and look forward to a bright future with Pour Girl, and all of you!"
What have you enjoyed most about running a mobile bartending service? Any favorite events or steps of the journey so far?
"The best part about Pour Girl is watching my dream come into fruition, being able to employ others in a fun, respectful and encouraging atmosphere, while paying a living wage, creating beautifully unique and delicious cocktails, and helping to facilitate joyful gatherings for our clients."
What are your upcoming plans for the business and what are you most looking forward to this year?:
"We have an insanely busy calendar of events this year, and we are looking forward to the whirlwind and all of the awesome upcoming experiences. We live for it!"
So great to hear that bookings are booming! What’s your 2022/23 availability like?
"Many weekdays and the following Saturdays in 2022 are available (as of April 2022): 8/20, 8/27, 9/17, 11/5, 11/12, 11/26"
Wonderful! Good luck with the busy schedule ahead and thanks for speaking with us!
See Olana in action mixing cocktails and serving guests on the Pour Girl website. Check out the video here.
More on ‘Bella’, the Pour Girl Bartending mobile bar below.
You didn’t think we would miss the chance to review a beautiful mobile bar did you?
A 1970s horse trailer which has been retrofitted to serve as a fully functioning pop-up bar, this conversion is absolutely gorgeous.
The bar’s super sleek white walls, inside and out, are complemented by a mint blue stripe that makes the trailer pop whilst remaining versatile and a perfect addition to any type of event.
The mobile bar comes complete with two maple bar tops, stainless steel ice bins, glassware racks, chopping blocks, shelving, and two awnings for shade.
Thoughtful floral and lighting touches ensure that the trailer looks pretty all day and all night long, making it the perfect backdrop for your guests to enjoy mingling alongside and snapping photos in front of.
Thanks so much to Olana for taking the time to speak with us about her business.
Follow Pour Girl Bartending on Instagram
Photo credits:
Bar Bella: Carol Oliva Photography - @carololiva_photography
Cocktail photos: AGS Photo Art - @AGSphotoart
Flowers by Barefoot Floral