Today we’d like to introduce you to Cyndora Gauthreaux And Jordon Miller.
Hi Cyndora Gauthreaux and, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Like any great cocktail, our story starts with a bar.
Hi, I’m Cyndora, and it’s June 2022, right in the middle of what we call sauna season and my daughter, Jordon, is about to walk down the aisle. We’d planned plenty of events together, but this one was personal. Every centerpiece was fluffed, every timeline locked, until Jordon walked in and announced she wanted the bar of her dreams: full spirits lineup, two signature cocktails, plus boozy and booze-free slushies to keep guests from melting.
On paper it sounded simple; after all, Jordon already had a knack for mixology. Then reality hit: calculating alcohol ratios, sourcing garnishes that wouldn’t wilt, figuring out how to haul 20-pound ice bags across town, and decorating a bar that looked as gorgeous as the floral arch. We over-bought liquor, under-planned ice (a desperate friend made a mid-reception ice run), and poor Jordon was batching cocktails the morning of her own wedding. The hired bartenders? Great at pouring, but they brought zero equipment, décor, or know-how to the table beyond the shaker. That’s when the lightbulb flickered: Why isn’t there a service that handles all of this…beautifully?
After the wedding, we joked about filling that gap ourselves. Eighteen months later the business was literally dreamed into existence, I woke up, called Jordon, and blurted, “Let’s start our own beverage catering company.” She didn’t even say hello, just, “When do we start?” There’s nothing better than your ride or die being your own daughter!
Today Polished Pour is a mother-daughter passion project gaining momentum, one beautifully garnished cocktail at a time. We craft bars that double as décor pieces, calculate every ounce so clients never have to, and deliver experiences that feel effortless for the host and unforgettable for the guests. The chaos of that first wedding taught us the hard lessons; now we turn them into polished perfection for every couple who want their bar to be as stunning as their first dance.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, the roughest patch is one we’re still driving through: visibility. Mom and I can design a bar layout in our sleep but point a camera at us and we’d rather hide behind the garnish picks. In 2025, though, people meet you through Reels before they ever taste your cocktails, so our private personalities bump straight into the public-facing world of algorithms, hashtags, and “You should really post that to Stories!
We haven’t solved it yet, some days the cursor blinks back accusingly, other days a caption pours out like good bourbon. What keeps us going is the goal: helping couples feel seen, informed, and excited long before the drinks start pouring at their reception. If showing our own faces (and occasional awkward giggles) gets us there, we’ll keep inching forward, shaker in one hand, selfie stick in the other, learning as we go.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We start with a story, not a shopping list.
The first thing Jordon and I ask is: “Tell us how you want the night to feel.” That sparks everything. If a couple says “sun-drenched Italian villa,” we’re already picturing limoncello spritzes, terra-cotta bar tiles, and citrus garlands. If they say “’90s glam-rock cocktail party,” cue disco-ball wine chillers and an espresso martini that hits just right.
The detail detective work
• Style survey & mood board. Clients drop photos of florals, invitation suites, even a favorite vacation snap into their client portal. We translate colors, textures, and fonts straight onto the bar façade and drink menu.
• Flavor interview. We dig for the quirky stuff, Grandpa’s love of blackberry brandy, the bride’s obsession with basil, the groom’s “zero-proof for life” pledge, then weave it into syrups, bitters, mocktail riffs, and artisan garnishes.
• Practical intel. Guest count, indoor event vs outdoor, walk-up flow, power outlets, ice logistics…the unglamorous bits ensure the pretty bits work.
Designing the bar as décor
Once we have the storyboards, we treat the bar like a mini set design:
1. Structure. Does the venue have a bar onsite? If so, how can we design it to seamlessly reflect your vision. If not, which rental… pillar bar, satellite, or tap wall fits the floor plan and guest flow best?
2. Visual layers. Back-bar shelving, framed or acrylic menus, florals and garnishes that photograph like art instead of afterthought.
3. Lighting. We tuck cordless lamps or fairy-lit bud vases onto the counter when we can so every cocktail glows at golden hour.
Why it matters
Guests end up saying, “That bar is so beautiful,” and the couple feels seen in the details. That’s the heart of Polished Pour: translating someone’s love story (or brand story, birthday-bash story, or engagement story) into a physical space where every sip and sightline sparks connection.
So yes, we sling fantastic cocktails. But first, we collect clues, because the most memorable drinks are the ones that taste like you wrote the recipe.
What sets us apart
• Aesthetic obsession. Our bars are photographed almost as much as the cake. We design them to be focal points that greet guests with a wow.
• Mother-daughter chemistry. I’m the logistics brain; Jordon is the flavor artist. Clients get the calm of experience plus the spark of fresh ideas in one package.
• Transparency & teaching. We provide fully transparent cost estimates, break down alcohol quantities, and happily nerd out about why 1.5-oz pours save your budget. Couples leave smarter than when they arrived.
• Luxury feel, Midwest heart. We chase high-end detail like standing chillers and artisan garnishes, without the luxury price tag.
What we’re proud of brand-wise
We’re proud that we’re nudging Kansas City’s private-bar and beverage catering world out of the “fold-up table and black linen” era and into something worthy of the photos your guests and photographers take. We bring that level of intention to every client no matter what the budget.
What I’d love Voyage KC readers to know
If you’re planning a wedding or corporate bash and the bar feels like “just another checklist item,” call us. We’ll turn it into a centerpiece that tells your story in cocktails and garnishes, keeps the drinks flowing smoothly, and leaves you free to sip back and enjoy the celebration.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Though it definitely didn’t feel “favorite-memory” worthy at the time, the line I heard on loop throughout my teens was: “I’m your mother, not your friend.” Mom deployed it whenever I tried to bargain for a later curfew or questionable outfit. Back then it sounded like a slammed door; now, with a daughter of my own, I hear it as the biggest gift she could’ve given me.
Those boundaries carved out a safe lane where I could grow, and crash, without wrecking the whole car. Because she stayed firmly “Mom,” I never had to guess whether her yeses and noes were for my good or for popularity points. Fast-forward to adulthood: that clear foundation let us shift gears into the friendship we have today, one built on trust instead of blurred lines. I know a lot of people couldn’t co-own a business with a parent but we’ve firmly solidified our relationship as not only mother and daughter but also as great friends and business partners.
Pricing:
- Bar Staff- $50 per hour
- Mixer Package- $8.00 per person
- Signature Cocktails- $3.00 per person
- Client Provided Alcohol Options Available
- Full Bar Service Options Available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.polishedpourbartending.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polishedpourbartending
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559074637768
