Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Powe.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I LOVE to have a good time. I’m from New Orleans, that’s in my blood. I would always go places and have a good time and spend way more then what I tended to spend while there. My friends would always ask me to order the drinks because I would always order stuff that would get you right the first time. Just randomly, I was thinking about instead of going out and spending money why not still have a good time while making money. It was hard at first because I wouldn’t turn down the drinks that were brought for me. But as I got older and seen how much more I could get, I started to just stay focused and not pressured.
As I started building my name as a bartender, I was trying to see other ways to build a brand of my own. I partnered with Hookah on Heels and now I’m a C0-partner with that business. Booking private parties and making my way into popular clubs. When attending some of these events, I would always get asked do I know of any bartenders for this or know of any company that has an all in one. And that my friend is where I said I’m just going to start my own business and bring my hookah company along with me. I had so much backlash. “You’re not going to get anywhere in this world being gay.” “All bartenders are hoes, so you should fit right in.” “No one is going to feel sorry for you just because you’re a single mom.” “You’re not the only one in this business so don’t expect a huge outcome.” I would go to other events and would talk to the promoter myself to even think that they would give me any type of advice on where to start the right way. That definitely didn’t happen. I was told Good Luck, I was never going to get anywhere with this attitude, this is a man’s world stop trying to do so much. I took it all in and sat back one day and was like I’m not built for this. A man says: You will never see me at my worst because I am built for this. I have done way more than I EVER expected to do in this business. I bettered myself and the people around me. I’ve learned how to correctly talk to others about business plans. I can say it was hard for me to take a lot of rejection but all that did was push to keep going because someone is going to say yes to me. Every day, I challenge myself. I thank my partner, friends, and family for their support. Even my kids want to help me at home when I’m prepping for an event. I’m just very thankful and blessed.
Has it been a smooth road?
Trying to fit in with the other bartenders is hard. Like you’re boring. have fun with your guest. Don’t just make drinks and complain about how drunk they are. Build conversation with them, make them want to come back.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Powe’s Passion story. Tell us more about the business.
I have my own bartending business call Powe’s Passion. I make all types of different concoctions. I do company parties, birthdays, weddings, baby showers (yes, baby showers, just because she’s pregnant doesn’t mean WE can’t celebrate the welcoming of a new life), dance classes, and many many more. I love whenever I make a drink for someone, they always say it tastes like juice, but by the end of the drink, they tell me they fell tipsy.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I really want to open up my own nightlife spot. And by the look of things, it’s starting to come real to me that it’s going to happen. I have taken so may lose to get to what and where I am now and I deserve it. Just be on the lookout for me coming up soon.
Contact Info:
- Email: hookahonheels@aol.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powespassion/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.shanta.1
Image Credit:
Ryan White
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