Meet Mary Ortiz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Ortiz.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Back in 2010, I started out wanting to pick up some bartending jobs to earn extra income and quickly discovered there was a niche in the Kansas City area for mobile bartending, I went on to incorporate then in 2013 purchased a bar (known as Rhinestone Cowgirls located at 11703 E 23rd Street in Independence, Mo), so we would be able to offer liquor sales/packages along with our bartending service. When I began, there were only about three services in the Greater Kansas City area. Now that number tops 100, however, to my knowledge, only three including (including Diamond Girls) has full liquor licensing to be able to deliver/sell and host liquor as well as bartending services. Starting out, I served at every job myself. After the first couple of years, I have added additional staff. We staff any size, any type of event – from a ten guest residential party to staffing 150 bartenders for the American Royal Barbecue.

We credit our success to many things – first and foremost, we put our community in the forefront and offer complementary services and products for many charity events. Examples of some of the many events we have donated services to include The Dream Factory’s annual event, the Susan G Komen Foundation Think Pink Happy Hour, the Ronald McDonald house Pull a Plane Event, and the many events Leigh Phillips produces to “Stop Child Trafficking” Each of our employees commit to serving at two charity events each year…

Marketing yourself and perseverance pays off. Early on the Fox 4 morning show had a segment called “Wedding Wednesdays”. I had contacted the producer many times bugging her to be included in this segment. Sadly all segments had been booked but she said she was willing to give me a shot to make cocktails related to the Oscars. I created cocktails matching the theme of every picture nominated for best picture. After that segment, we went on to be invited back 18 times for everything from St Patrick’s Day to the Super Bowl.

Being exposed to a vast variety of events has also enabled us to be in the public eye in the Kansas City entertainment scene. We have served at over 75 games at both Arrowhead Stadium and Sporting Kansas City Children’s Mercy Park, Popular events include Run Beer Fit at Arrowhead, Gladstone’s annual Whiskey Fest, The Bare Naked Ladies Concert, The Noe Palma concert, Brew fest, KC Brew and Chew and the American Royal BBQ to name a few… We also have provided services at several popular Kansas City entertainment venues such as Worlds of Fun (Oktoberfest), Oceans of Fun and Schlitterbahm Water Park. Retail happy hours include both Kate Spade and Moosejaw on the plaza.

COVID has drastically affected our business. We went from over 400 events in 2019 to only 60 in 2020 (the majority of those being held in January and February), however things are starting to pick back up. We do have several clients that have rescheduled for 2022 so we are very optimistic about our future.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every business has its ups and downs. Overall we have been very blessed for our business to have gained momentum in the early stages and maintained the volume.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my previous life, I was an accounting major – worked in corporate accounting for Fortune 500 companies for 24 years. I also was very fortunate to have been selected by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce for an entrepreneurial training program held at UMKC Business School., My accounting background coupled with the formal business training was instrumental in my success.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is not all monetary. Success is being able to employ people that might be down on their luck and need someone to give them a chance despite possessing skills or formal training – success is being able to provide services to charity events and being able to experience firsthand how you have affected the lives of others.

Pricing:

• We offer all you can drink packages for as little as $9.00 per guest for unlimited alcohol
• We offer cash bar setup for only a flat fee of $250
• Wanting to have a party in your residence, but would like a bartender so you aren’t stuck behind the bar all night – no problem – we will send a bartender for $30 per hour plus gratuity

Contact Info:

• Email: mary.ortiz@diamondgirlsbartenders.com
• Website: www.diamondgirlsbartenders.com