Community Highlights: Meet Erin Cook of Erin Cook Personal Bartending Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Cook.

Hi Erin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began bartending over 20 years ago at a chain restaurant that opened a new franchise in Independence, MO. It was a great starting point to learn glassware, drink recipes, running a bar, and engaging with guests. Bartending was a great outlet while working through college; it had flexible hours and allowed me to work weekends when I wasn’t studying. Through the years, I worked high-volume dance clubs, dive bars, running bars, and beverage carts at a local golf course- wherever I could find that would fit my schedule (often working 2 to 3 jobs at a time!) After college and years at a steady 9-5 job, my husband and I became pregnant! It was always in our plan for me to stay home with our baby (ies), so I quit the 9-5 and started setting up our house for all things baby. In 2008, while still wanting to help contribute to our income, I randomly threw out Craig’s List ad as a bartender for private events. I got a few bites for home parties and weddings and slowly built a regular client base. In the spring of 2016, I focused on starting a company and building a brand. Erin Cook Personal Bartending Services was born! I expanded my team, formed my LLC, and started the grind of establishing a place for ourselves in the Kansas City wedding and events market.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No one who has started a business from the ground up will tell you it’s a smooth road. I am constantly learning, adapting, and coming across new challenges; they ultimately make our services better, but it has been challenging! One of the early struggles along the way included weeding through all the red tape for proper insurance, training certificates, and business licensing. There certainly needed to be a handbook for starting a mobile bartending service, and when we began, it was a relatively new concept to government agency representatives! Another area for improvement was time management. In the early years of the business, I often worked through the wee hours to get to inquiries, respond to emails, write up contracts, etc., after tending to the kids and household needs during the daytime. I’ve since learned that it’s okay to ask for help, say no when needed, and invest in the right tools that make our daily lives easier!

As you know, we’re big fans of Erin Cook Personal Bartending Services. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
We are a “dry-hire” mobile bartending service exclusively serving private events in Kansas City and surrounding areas. “Dry-Hire” means we do not sell or provide alcohol but allow our clients to provide their own! We guide our clients through the entire bar planning process- including customizing alcohol shopping lists, creating fun drink ideas, narrowing down bar offerings to stay within a budget, and collaborating to find unique and flavorful signature drinks that are perfect for each event!

We are known for our expertise in wedding receptions. Still, we also work with many corporate clients for their events, including fundraisers, networking/happy hours, appreciation nights, awards shows, and any other event where we can bring life to their celebration! We also partner with several other local Kansas City vendors and venues as guest bartenders; this year’s highlights were bartending the NFL Draft and the Chiefs Super Bowl Ring Ceremony! We have won several online awards since 2016 through the Knot, Wedding Wire, and Thumbtack. Still, our little company had a massive moment in 2022 when we won the Kansas City Vendor Choice Award for Best Beverage Company, a peer-nominated award that other Wedding Industry Professionals voted on.

As amazing as the awards are, our proudest moments are in everyday reminders. We love it when our clients write a satisfied review, send a “thank you” text the following day or jot down a quick email about how happy their guests were with our service. Being hired for an annual event year after year means we are doing something right, which always feels nice, too!

Pricing:

• Our services begin at $400 for non-peak days; every event is fully customized, so inquiring is the best way to get a proposal!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ErinCookBartending.com
• Instagram: @ecookbartending
• Facebook: facebook.com/erincookbartending

Image Credits
Juliana Noelle, Jumper Photography, West Rose Photo & Film, EGolden Moments, Espy Photography, Cassidy Drury Photography, Peter Yankowsky, Louise Wirick KC.Photography