Exploring Life & Business with Shanice Sample of Bottles UP Bartending

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanice Sample.

Hi Shanice, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Oh My! Where do I begin? This whole idea of mine of creating Bottles UP Bartending started in 2014! In 2011, My first experience with drinks was a shot girl at a popular bar in my Hometown Toledo at the time. Soon After I got a job at the Casino as a server and that opened a new world for me. I had no idea of anything about liquor. I didn’t even know there were different categories like Tequilas, whiskies, or vodkas but I knew that I was ready to learn much more.

I think the actual turning point to move forward in this field was the first large tip I received which was $1600 from one customer at the casino and I was like ” ok I can get used to this”! Fast forward I moved to Charlotte, NC around 2014 and went for what I knew at the time. Bars, clubs, restaurants, etc. Any establishment that had a bar I was applying, to and every place that I applied to loved me. There was this particular sports bar I worked at in Charlotte. I built a great rapport with a significant amount of people and the next thing you know I was booked for private parties.

My first one was in the new Year 2015, I made maybe $500-600 (at a private party!!) By myself, for only about 2 to 3 hours, I was there. After completing a few events I started to think bigger. I went out & got myself a binder and some paper and I started to brainstorm. I wrote down many ideas, my goals, and drink recipes and that is how I came up with the name Bottles UP” and called myself “The Bar-Bae”!

Shortly after that, I came across unforeseen issues at that time which caused me to move back to my hometown Toledo, OH. I put proceeding toward this goal off for a long time but I always kept that green binder with me. Moving on to 2021 I remember looking at the binder in a bin I had it in. There was something in me saying “pick it up”. I started looking at all of the things written in it and there was like this voice to me saying “it’s now or never Shanice”.

After everything so far that is written in that book I have acted upon it, and finally introduced Bottles UP Bartending to the world in December of 2021. Since then, I have gotten straight to work. Created all my social media platforms, and my website and have had bookings ever since. I am so proud that I believed in my idea and pushed through to see it all come to life. In this case, the timing was everything.

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?
I would say the obstacles that I have faced so far is that me being a Virgo for one, I want everything to happen all at once but as an entrepreneur, I know realistically that things don’t happen like that. Bottles UP Bartending is not just a mobile bartending service to me, but it is a business that wears many hats.

I have come out of pocket for lots of necessities to get the business rolling and this is another challenge I’ve faced as a business owner. Last but not least Ohio has very strict laws for some of the avenues I would like to explore and expand in to continue to take my business to the next level and keep setting myself apart from other businesses.

Unfortunately, until these particular laws change I would have to take these ideas to another state that would allow me to fully soar. I would love to work with someone that knows a bit about Ohio legislation and the beginning processes to at least start to shift some things that would benefit not only myself but others that have their hands in any businesses involving liquor.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Bottles UP Bartending?
Got a Birthday? Girls Night? Guys Night? even corporate events? I know just what you need to spice up your event! I’m Shanice Sample Owner of Bottles UP Bartending “Where we bring the fun to you”, and send out experienced professionals to make it a night to remember! This is one of our official pitches. I find pure laughter in the difficult process to come up with such simple lines. All That truly matters is that it works!

Bottles UP Bartending is an umbrella over multiple services. Overall we provide professional bartenders for any and every event you can name, with bar equipment, set up & clean up included. On top of event bookings, you can rent party supplies, purchase exclusive bar products, and recipes, apply to become a “Barbabe” and book one on one sessions all via our website.

Do you have any advice for those just starting?
My advice is to anyone in general. “You can do anything you want in life as long as you put in the work. I have found that people get held back by fear, the would’ve, should’ve, could’ve narratives and i’ve learned to say screw that way of thinking. Trust me you don’t want to look back 5 to 10 years from now knowing that you never even gave yourself a chance to be great! Be careful of the thoughts you feed your mind because if you feel negatively, that is how things will go for you. It is all about perception. If you take a chance on anything in this world BET ON YOURSELF AND YOUR IDEAS! Don’t let Anyone alter how you see yourself and your business, you don’t need anyone to help you get moving. JUST DO and the rest will follow I promise!

Pricing:

• Bottles UP Baskets & Products: Varies
• Event Bookings: Varies
• Party Rentals: Varies

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/bottlesup419
• Instagram: @bottlesup419
• Facebook: @Bottles UP Bartending