Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlotte Ramirez.
Hi Charlotte, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
This whole project started on October 17th when I saw a wedding concept from Piaggio Ape, I asked myself if it could be a good idea, and then I immediately “clicked” with it without even thinking about how far I could go with it. From that day on, I got so passionate about the project that I couldn’t stop searching about it. At that point, it wasn’t even a project itself, it was just the idea of renting a trailer and have a bartender work in it. I invested the free time I got left on finding fresh ideas, inspiration, and alternatives. Progressively, I started to shape this project: how it was going to work, the name, and the people that were going to help me to make this real (my boyfriend and my father-in-law) who doubtfully accepted. I started only with $300 in my bank account.
The hardest thing to find was the trailer I wanted to redo. It took me one month until I finally found it. I search on more than 40 websites, I asked at places where I sawhorses, then I realized that Facebook was the best place to find it. I checked Facebook marketplace like 10 times a day every day, texting the sellers, searching locally until I finally got one that accepted my offer. The following day, I went there to pick it up, but the guy had sold it to someone else. At that point, I was frustrated and kind of disappointed thinking that probably I was not going to find one, mostly because I had a $1000 budget but most of the sellers wanted $1500 or more. Even though I was feeling down, I kept looking for the trailer, and on Nov 4th I sent the offer, and it was accepted! I immediately borrowed a car with a hitch and go for the trailer. I didn’t even know how to connect the hitch well, but I took it home anyway. I was so happy I couldn’t believe it!
The next day I cleaned the trailer with a hydro-jet, and from there, my days started to finish by midnight the earliest. On Saturdays, I worked as an event planner assistant in weddings and parties, I took as many working hours as I could because remodeling the trailer needed a lot of money to be completed.
Now, I had a lot of things to do, including the creation of the logo, social media planning, and Home Depot visits. My day-to-day was focused on getting ideas for remodeling my trailer. I remember that when I shared the project with Valeria from Elite Celebrations, she loved it so much that started to offer the service to her brides that were going to have the wedding at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, and it wasn’t even ready! That indeed helped me put a deadline on the remodling project. It took me 6 months to redo the trailer and on April 10th the opening took place in an Airbnb house.
Our first wedding was on April 30th, then I went to 2 wedding expos. Everyone loved it, but no one booked. I got so worried and stressed I told myself that the idea was not as good as I thought it would be. I paid for ads, contacted influencers, and did everything I could to be well-known or to get noticed. I wrote to event planners offering the services and even offered some discounts, and a whole month went by. At that time, I decided to create a smaller bar that would be rented for less. On June 4th, we had the second event with this new bar. It was a “collaboration” which meant no payment. However, I was more interested in being noticed and getting clients. Due to the new size and lower price, we were getting more requests, and on June 11th, we had 2 events that same day. Then, on June 12th, another one, and so on. Without even noticing, everything started to take shape. I even got booked for 7 different events in June, I couldn’t believe it.
It’s been 11 months since I started this project which has allowed me to meet amazing people and feel so supported, even by people I haven’t met but have put their bit into my project.
I’m totally passionate about everything related to the bar business. I’m studying every day so I can offer a top service. I believe that being a bartender is not just serving drinks, it’s an art. It’s a world bigger than you think.
Today, I’m 19 years old. I have my own company in the USA. This beautiful country full of opportunities. In seven months, I’ve been part of over 25 events. I hope that my story inspires all of those who are still doubting or “waiting for the perfect time” to start. This road has a lot of ups and downs, but with hard work, dedication, and discipline, you will see results. I can tell you that the feeling of achieving our own goals is the most rewarding feeling ever. I wish you all the best. Keep in mind that it does not matter how old you are or your status, where you come from, or where you are at the moment. We have to be brave, take action and work for our dreams.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The language I can speak in English but fear when I have to talk with the client. Is a lil hard Also, the part of been book
To be known in the area
A Lil fear enter to this industry because majority of bartenders are +30 years old
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Concentrate in yourself, take care of domain your mind, that is import to do whatever you want in your life, discipline is your best friend for start a project. The colleague are your friends, you are your only competition. Look for someone you admire to get inspired
Contact Info:
- Website: https://charamobilebar.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/chara.mobilebar?igshid=NjZiMGI4OTY=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Charamobilebar
Image Credits
@joannamoorephoto
@johannaoakesphotography
