Daily Inspiration: Meet Amber Underwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Underwood. 

Hi Amber, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am from the city of Cleveland, Ohio raised in an overall large family. Most of my family has an education or sustained a long-term career, or have raised their own families. Me, things have been different. I learned early own that I was nontraditional. A background in marketing but the desire to bet on myself. 

It wasn’t until I was injured at my previous job and went through being off, that I reflected on what my life would be like. I knew I felt stagnant. I needed to keep busy but I also needed to generate income to sustain. So, in 2015, I sat and thought of what I am good at. 

I realized I loved creating drinks for family members and guests. 

I knew I needed to still make something happen for my family. I needed to keep pushing even though I was injured and feeling very much down, I refused to not use this time to make something happen. 

Knowing that my family backs me on my decision, I began to really learn my craft. But more importantly, I learned that I need to make my footprint in my family and in this world. So, I kept going. 

My business is a drink catering service (as I like to call it), with aims to grow into a storefront that specializes in making drinks mixed with wine. I started selling mixed drinks to local businesses for their clients and grew to drink setup and private bartending. 

I began this journey in 2015 and finally learned I cannot do everything alone, or I will get nowhere, fast. Currently, I staff 10-15 bartenders/mixologists at The Karamu House, as a way to still create drinks, generate income, and work on the things that will serve the overall purpose. 

I want to keep providing a quality beverage while enlightening others on all things drinks. I began this business with family in mind. The family I came from and the family I plan to have one day. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This journey has been a journey to say the least. From Learning what makes my company unique to finding opportunities to align myself with have been some of the more surface battles. But there has been the journey many entrepreneurs like myself, don’t often get to share. The journey of self. The journey of learning not to be afraid knowing how to take a hit. 

I suffered many losses during this journey. Friendships due to my schedule. Familial engagements. And of course, financial hiccups. One of which many across the country had to deal with. The pandemic itself. 

It’s been tough. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an event coordinator by day. Full-time journey of entrepreneurship in Cocktail Consulting and Bar experience. What this means is that during the day I get to connect with many organizations and patrons who also align with the clientele of my business. I work at an establishment that fully supports what I do and have allowed me the opportunity to shine and incorporate what I do best- COCKTAILS. 

I am known for creating signature cocktails on the fly. Give me two of your least favorite ingredients, a staple blend, and watch magic happen. Creating craft cocktails with just a little is what I’ve been known for. 

So, I bring that to my clients’ events and establishments, homes, and more. I started out selling mixed drinks to anyone who would get them. Making the best of a little. 

Years later and now, I’ve extended this service. Many love my signature sangrias, my variations of a whiskey sour, my twist on a mint Julep, but newly created Almond Ol’ Tini. 

Creating a signature style is now an art that I share. Through eBooks and even my virtual courses – I teach up-and-coming mixologists how to make a drink their own. 

I’m most proud of my growth and really stepping out of my comfort zone with the things that I don’t. 

With this growth comes responsibility also. I’ve learned more about the history of the black mixologist and I’ve now extended my coaching and course offerings to include this historical information. 

Of all the things that may set me apart- fresh cocktails, professional service and courses; I’m most proud of the educational journey I’ve been afforded. 

Through all the bumps and bruises I’ve begun to become an expert on all things cocktails. Mistakes have been resume builders and now I am able to share what I’ve learned through my African American cocktail series and cocktail consulting. 

Not many bartending companies offer these services and I am very proud to be among the pioneers of Black mixologists who not only create cocktails but instill knowledge. 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I’ve learned how to pivot and scale on a digital level. Although I was not too excited to have to create a virtual bartending course, I am glad that I did. I am better able to reach more people in a shorter time now that I’ve created virtual learning opportunities. During Covid this extremely important to stay afloat and safe. 

Pricing:

• $250 – virtual bartending course with tools
• $199 – group mixology course online with ebook
• Essential bartending packages beginning at $350

Contact Info:

• Email: welcome@theslamstand.com
• Website: www.theslamstand.com
• Instagram: @theslamstandllc
• Other: https://linktr.ee/theslamstand

Image Credits
Quanisha Gibson