How I transport everything

So I thought those of you mobile bartending business new comers might be interested in knowing how I transport my Flairco Portable Bar and everything that I need for my gigs.

I own a 2004 Toyota Matrix.  Base model. Manual transmission. It was purchased used and in pretty rough shape back in 2012.   The previous owner was a dog owner so the interior stunk like dog, had enough hair in it to make 3 more dogs, and was left outside with the windows down to "air" out.  Which also meant the elements could get in.   The front window was cracked, the only key that worked with the car was the ignition key, and lots of the pieces of the car needed repair or replacement.  Luckily I'm and automotive professional by trade so I took care of all the repairs myself.

Pictures at purchase.

Dog smell interior and lots of hair.

Dents and dings everywhere.  

Body damage

Missing pieces and non functional handles, locks, etc.

GROSS

Broken windshield, not good.

Car today-

Clean, shiny, tinted windows so no once sees my gear.

After steam cleaning, and complete disassembly for cleaning, I installed covers.

Much more enjoyable to drives.  Smells good too.

• Once I started my mobile bartender for hire business I used my awesome little car to transport everything.  Luckily, over the years I have gotten the packing down to a near science.    I can haul enough supplies to bartend for parties of 50 - 250 guests.

• I place my bar kit on the floor behind the passenger seat.  This is to stabilize the Folding Table 6ft  I place behind the seats next.

Bartender Tool kit placed on floor in back of drivers seat. 

• Next I place the Folding Table 6ft behind the passenger seat.   I know the picture shows drivers seat but I have since refined how I do it.  The passenger seat can be slide forward and tilted to allow more space.  The drivers seat can't because I don't like to be squished while driving.  I can place 2 Folding Table 6ft behind the seat.   Behind the drivers seat I put my trash can with my citrus juicer in it and trash bags.  (not pictured)

2 Folding Table 6ft behind the seat.

Folding Table 6ft behind passenger seat.

I then place my large Igloo Quick & Cool Cooler (150 qt) marine ice chest behind the front two seats, on top of the folded back seats.

Igloo Quick & Cool Cooler (150 qt).

I then pack in my Flairco Portable Bar, Igloo Polar Cooler (120-Quart, White) (for when I need extra ice storage for large parties).  In the picture there is a red bag I use to transport supplies like cups, napkins, straws, ginger ale, etc.  Now I use Clever Crates Collapsible 46 Liter to transport my supplies.  They stack on each other and then fold for easy storage.  To get everything to fit I put all gear in as shown in the picture when using the second Igloo Polar Cooler (120-Quart, White).

When I don't use the cooler, the Flairco Portable Bar is laid flat then the  Ice Buckets are stack on top of it.  the blue Clever Crates Collapsible 46 Liter are placed to the left like normal. 

Flairco Portable Bar

The Igloo Quick & Cool Cooler (150 qt) can be used to store supplies for transport. ( Juice pourers, wine ice buckets, condiments, etc.)

 On the passenger front seat I use to place Ice Buckets with my water dispenser stored inside.

Ice Bucket , Beverage Dispenser , Condiment Holder 6 pint .

What would you like me to post about?  Do you have any questions or requests, email me at vince@bartendervince.com

For inquiry on having Bartender Vince at your event, visit BARTENDERVINCE.COM or email me at vince@bartendervince.com

For other blogs with helpful information go to 
http://www.weddingsbybartendervince.com
http://www.portablebarreview.com

For reviews of my service visit http://www.bartendervinceonyelp.com

Improvements in action

I was finally able to implement some of the improvements and I've been wanting to do on my bartending business.  That post is here.

Recently I posted that I purchased a Perforated Bus Box insert for my ice bin.  This was to allow the water to drain from the melting ice out of the actual ice and prevent it from getting soggy and scooping water into cocktails.  I was finally able to implement it this weekend at a wedding in San Dimas at the hot tub resort.

 This Perforated Bus Box worked great.   I was able to keep about 10 - 20 pounds of ice in the perforated portion of the bin and it kept it dry all night long.   I never scooped out ice that had water in it and it never water down the drinks.    Throughout the night I only had to empty the water from the bin once.   I think normally this is used for collecting plates forks knives spoons and restaurants,  but for privates bartending it works great as an ice bin drain.

One thing I noticed was less moisture condensation on the underside of the bus bin tub.  With this insert I think since the ice is not directly touching the bus bin, the outside does not get as much condensation.  This is important because normaly, the condensation starts to drip off the bus bin and onto the floor.  Which means if the bar is inside the client's home, their floor will get wet if you haven put down an ABSORBENT FLOOR MAT protector.

I use the floor protector to keep my client property from any damage from the water and other liquids I work with.  These ABSORBENT FLOOR MAT are my favorite little things I add to show my professionalism.

Flairco portable bar with ABSORBENT FLOOR MAT protection

What would you like me to post about?  Do you have any questions or requests, email me at vince@bartendervince.com

For inquiry on having Bartender Vince at your event, visit BARTENDERVINCE.COM or email me at vince@bartendervince.com

Back of house. Printer

One of the essential pieces of running my business is a printer.  I prefer small compact and functional for my needs rather than something with lots of bells and whistles.

Epson Expression XP-410 Inkjet Printer - I chose this printer because of all the reviews stating the text pring quality was very good for a home printer.  It has good definition.  I don't print pictures very often so that wasnt important.  I use this to print my cocktail menues, and shopping lists for my clients.   The cocktail menus come out really great.  Even with my glasses on it is crisp and has great definition and solid ink filling the characters.  

One of my top 2 criteria was that the printer had to be able to print directly from my Ipad or Iphone.  This printer connects directly to my I-device, and can also be connected to my wireless network so any device also connected to the network can also print.  My kids print from their ipods.  The price is incredibly great for the functionality I get.  

 

 

                           

My tip for this or any printer, If you don't print daily, be sure to run an print head cleaning before your first print after it has sat a couple days.   I printed a menu once and it came out spotty.  After I ran a cleaning, it was perfect again.   Just something from my experience.

Just recently I found this printer on clearance at target for approximately $63.00.  The target is in Pasadena, Ca, on Colorado Blvd, on the east side near Rosemead blvd.

 

 

What would you like me to post about?  Do you have any questions or requests, email me at vince@bartendervince.com

For inquiry on having Bartender Vince at your event, visit BARTENDERVINCE.COM or email me at vince@bartendervince.com

Puddingstone hot tub resort review from last week

I posted an overview of my thoughts on the Puddinstone Hot Tub Resort as a venue for weddings over at http://www.weddingsbybartendervince.com

Click here to read that post. 

What would you like me to post about?  Do you have any questions or requests, email me at vince@bartendervince.com

For inquiry on having Bartender Vince at your event, visit BARTENDERVINCE.COM or email me at vince@bartendervince.com

Billing issues with a recent event.

I have a policy of only accepting checks when they are provided at least a week ahead of time so they will clear before the event.  

Recently a client wanted to receive and invoice for services performed once we were done.  The next day I sent an invoice by email for payment.  My mistake was that I didn't set up the invoice for online credit card payment.  I later went back in and activated this function and resent the invoice.

The client however decided to mail a check.  Since this was my mistake I decide that would be fine.  However after a week, the check hadn't arrived as expected.  

I later contacted the client for credit card payment which he did without issue.

Lessons from this experience.  

1. Do not provide services unless payment has been received in full.
2. Be extra careful that invoices sent are completely set up as expected. 

Waiting a week or more for payment can cause cashflow issues if you are a lean small business.  Luckily I keep a good margin to prevent issues of purchases.



What would you like me to blog about?  Do you have any requests?  
Email me at vince@bartendervince.com

Improving behind the bar.

In a previous blog post, I posted that my fiance and I made some observations to help improve the service we provide.   Today I made a few purchase to hopefully make those observationsinto reality.

You can read that post here  - http://www.businessofprivatebartending.com/2015/04/surprise-party-lessons.html

One major issue I have is the ice bin.  The #flairco portable bar uses the standard buss bin as the ice bin.   The problem is that the water from melting ice sits in there too.  Making all the ice watery.   Today I purchased a Perforated Bus Box insert that lifts the ice up about 1 inch, and allows the water to drain below into the bin.   I will test it out this weekend.  

Next I purchased a second large OVERSIZED SPILL MAT.  I will use this on both sides of the bar to allow both bartenders space to drain the tins and glasses. 

I also purchased a small Serving Tray .   I noticed that people tend to order shots several at a time.  Often they take them to their friends at a table.   The tray is to place all the shots on it to make transporting them easier.  Just a little something to make the party more enjoyable for all.  

Just a some little tips to make the business of private bartending more efficient.

What items do you use in your business?
Leave a comment and share how you do things.