We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Duke and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauren, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I honestly found something I really enjoyed doing and ran with it. I am a full time School Teacher that enjoys many hobbies, explores new experiences, and loves sharing good energy with my inner circle of people. I never imagined “With Good Spirits”- Mobile Drinkery being a full time gig at all. Just something to run on the side during my summers off, and maybe the occasional weekend party to keep myself busy. It was more of a hobby than a business opportunity when I pinned the very first picture on my “mobile bar” dream board. I have been TABC certified since my early twenties and have helped bartend random events for family and friends-maybe two or three times year? I enjoyed providing the good spirits and entertaining the crowd… the hard work &the love I have for people kept me going back way more than the tips did! One day I thought to myself “I could totally open a mobile bar service and provide an unique experience that attracts any customer’s party needs, AND we can serve from anywhere!!” Serving others is something I’m passionate about. I find affirmations in it and love the feeling of charming a good crowd. After my first wedding event, I got a taste of using my own creativity, on my own time, and was able to have my family join me on my journey to growing my small business. When officially opening With Good Spirits in 2022, I secured all my licensing, insurance, permits and decided to GO BIG and get busy turning this into something real. My father opened a business when he was in his early twenties, and our family has benefited from it tremendously. Giving my family something with our name behind it would be a true goal and something I take great pride in doing already. Since then, I’ve been hired for corporate events, kids parties, adult surprise birthdays, wedding receptions, charities, and many local community events. Anything you can imagine… We have most likely received an inquiry to do it! The possibilities have been endless- long travels at times- but, that was the mindset going into this adventure all along. I would say meeting other business owners and working together to support one another lights my fire when the weeks get long and I feel the “imposter syndrome” setting in! There’s nothing like the love from others… it keeps me believing I have something people really enjoy. I intend on learning and growing with everyone I meet along the way!
What should our readers know about your business?
I am still learning ALOT! I have a looonnnggg way to go. My trailer is not built exactly how I would like it, so that’s still a work in progress for me personally. I am also working on how to keep communication between past, reoccurring, and current customers. I love you guys and want to keep in contact and show my appreciation as much as possible!! I have so many little and big things I would like to change and implement into my business. I am doing it with grace and I feel really proud about what we have accomplished in just one year- all while growing my family and still teaching full time. I keep imagining where we could be with more time dedicated into the business and utilizing the ideas we share. Nothing is easy, but we are having fun! I want our customers to know how much fun we have working with them! It’s why we keep booking events and taking on new challenges. We are a work in progress and we are learning from every event we serve! Our customer needs always come first! We prioritize them and they feel that when they work with us. Our customer reviews have been so positive!! That’s what makes me happy! 🙂
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would absolutely get a hotel or B&B in Houston. I love Saras Inn in the Heights. Quaint, cute, and has lots of charm! I love siting outside and enjoying the weather. So maybe a pit stop at Cedar Creek for some snacks and drinks and hop around the shops in the Heights! Oh & Heights Mercantile Market is so much fun to attend. (I fostered a couple puppies on my last visit there) I’d do it again! lol. Dinner in Houston.. my brain goes to sushi every time! I love the chef special menu at Uchi. My husband and I go on special weekends and its a treat!!! I would look up a good concert or some music locally. The Mucky Duck has some intimate concerts and good bands that come to Houston. Its BYOB and just an overall unique experience. Love Emmits in Houston for Jazz music and a New Orleans style dive bar. If my friend was coming into town this week… we would try to bother my father for some Astro tickets, FOR SURE! I love a good brewery or sports bar before an Astros game! We tend to find little hole in the wall after to end the night! On a Sunday, I do try to make it to church! That’s my first and fore most. Maybe catch an online service over some yummy coffee in Rice Village at Sweet Pairs or Croissant- Brioche. Sunday are usually my days to get organized & prepared for the week. I always feel better after deep cleaning the house & setting myself up for another successful week ahead for my family & customers.
Hungary’s in Houston is also such a cool spot!! Following that, would love to take our fur babies to Hermann Park to do some walking and people watching. Maybe catch some lunch to-go at Rice Box or for a sit down experience go to Max’s Wine Dive for chicken and frozen sangria!! Just depends how we feel. Sunday nights are for recouping and long baths for me! But I do love a good drive thru movie date at the Showboat in Hockley! or Star Cinema Grill for the comfy seats, popcorn, and coke!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
HUGE shout out to my family who continue to be a phone call away. Since day one, they have committed themselves to long selfless days of building the bar from the ground up with me, while my small ideas turned into grand ones! They show up even after experiencing all of the un-glamorous parts of owning and operating a mobile bar business. Shout out to my hubby for spending his weekends helping me prep and using his man power to get us set up for events. He never complains, and I sincerely couldn’t do alot without him! We work as partners & I love having my little family around! My success is owed to many, and it began with them believing in me from the start! I am blessed with the best. 100%
Shoutout to Owner & Operator of Willie B Local & Co, Adalee Embessi! We began our business’s together and spent countless all-nighter’s eating pizza in a empty building working through the challenges of combining a perfect venue space and a mobile bar concept. Since then, we have decided to be separate entities, but still support one another strength as small business owners. This girl bleeds determination, grace, and love for her community. She has helped me build my business and never runs out of fresh ideas! Thank you for always including With Good Spirits in your big events, and for being a friend.
Aimme & Cody Frederick, Owners of Blockhouse Coffee & Kitchen. This dynamic duo has kindly welcomed me back into the Richmond community. I have had my best moments with all the faces and visitors of Jax & 7th. The Farmstand Market Days behind Blockhouse is my favorite place to be on a Sunday afternoon! I’ve met the best people through these events. Thank you to Blockhouse Coffee, Family Style Design CO, and Vintage Hope Boutique for always letting me be a part of your success. I appreciate all of you!
Shoutout to the Fort Bend Museum for always supporting local business’s! The community events that have been hosted by this historical site have been beautiful. They do so much for so many people in the Richmond community.
Imperial Wines in Sugarland Tx. AWESOME wine! Awesome owners! The knowledge and service they provide is top notch!
Thank you Chad for always hooking us up with the best natural wines for our customers.
MCR Construction! Thank you to the Rio’s family for helping design and build out the mobile bar thus far! I’m striving for MUCH more, but the bar wouldn’t be where it is today without your craft. Cant wait to continue working with you.
Rhett Dickerson, Owner of Pixel Media! Creates the best websites! He is personable. timely, and truly helped build a site that best fits the mantra behind WGS. Thank you for your continuous hard work!
Veronica Evanicky! The marketing guru and branch coach behind the camera… she captures our best work! I appreciate your fresh ideas and willingness to work with me as I try to break away from my full time career and turn this into a real opportunity for all of us. Your knowledge is so vast! I cant wait to work with you more! Check her out >>> everoots Marketing & Social Media Management.
Shoutout to my hardworking bartenders and TABC certified friends that step in to help host and serve at events. Id be nothing without the ones that show up to work with a smile on their face. I love working alongside you ladies & gents! I really couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for your dedication to me and our team!
Website: https://withgoodspirits.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withgoodspirits.drinkery/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/withgoodspirits.drinkery
Image Credits
Erin Cumming Photography, Veronica Evanicky- @everoots_marketing