Conversations with Sean and Sonja O’Keefe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean and Sonja O’Keefe.

Hi Sean and Sonja, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, tell our readers some of your backstories.
We have both been in the restaurant industry for over ten years. There is something about the restaurant and hospitality industry that we both love and admire. We were sitting at home one night and talking about our life goals together. We both knew we wanted to own our own business one day. We would brainstorm about what we would like to do and what direction we would go if we were to start our own business. Then, we both had an “Ah-ha” moment almost simultaneously. We thought, why not incorporate something that we are passionate and knowledgeable about and create that into our own little business? We sat down and brainstormed all the little details we could think of to make this business a reality. That is when Next Event Bartending was created.

It is crazy to look back at how we started. We had an idea, dedication, and faith that it could become something great. We told ourselves that even if no one books with us, at least we tried something new and exciting and created something that was ours. We launched our website on October 16, 2022. We had yet to decide what to expect. If we were to be honest, we didn’t have anything. I mean nothing. We didn’t have cups, straws, napkins, coolers, bars, or anything else. By the end of October, someone reached out to us, and we were like, “OMG! It’s happening!” We looked at each other with happiness and nervousness, and then we realized we better get some supplies! The day before our first event, we bought a cooler and some supplies we needed for that one event. Confidence is key; we acted like we’ve had this business for years. Little did they know we were winging it! Seeing how far we have come from our first event to now is amazing. We have learned and grown so much as a business and as people. We cannot wait to look back another year and see how much further we have come. It is truly such a beautiful and rewarding experience.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We knew it wouldn’t be easy when we started Next Event Bartending. We truly didn’t know what to expect, to be honest. We just knew we needed to start. Our road has been an enjoyable one. With any business, people can expect some bumps along the way. It wouldn’t be a fun ride if it were perfect. We think that in the customer service industry, the biggest blessings and challenges come from people being so incredibly different. One client has specific demands and wishes, while another has opposite demands and wishes. It is truly the absolute best thing about our industry and also one of the most challenging aspects of our industry. It forces you to challenge yourself and strive to be even better than the last time. We always leave with such a fantastic learning opportunity with every single event we do. That is what makes Next Event Bartending so much fun and challenging. Each event is going to be completely different from one another. There is not going to be one party alike.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Next Event Bartending is a mobile bartending service. We go all around the valley to make your event a truly memorable experience. We specialize in any event. We have done birthday parties, corporate events, open houses, brokers open, holiday parties, weddings, etc. We have done it all. We are so incredibly proud of Next Event Bartending. We truly pride ourselves on the highest level of customer service. We love this industry. When we attend an event, we always give 100% to our clients. We aim for you to sit back, relax, and let us handle the rest. We truly are here to make your event go to the next level. What sets us apart from others is that we are truly a mom-and-pop shop. We both started this company for the love of being around people and having a good time. We want us as people to reflect that in our company. We are high energy, kind, and attentive. Next Event Bartending is all of those things. When people hire us, they are getting all of those things. We are passionate about our company, and we want your event to be the most perfect one that it can be.

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?
Next Event Bartending was founded after COVID-19. It is still essential to us to make sure everyone’s comfort level is being met. We are very respectful regarding our client’s health and wellness. Our clients are our top priority.

Pricing:

• No event is the same. Therefore, we like to customize pricing to a client’s specific event.
• We will send over invoices to our clients so they can see all the price breakdowns. They can add or take away things to make their event exactly what they need.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.nexteventbartending.com
• Instagram: Nexteventbartending