Today we’d like to introduce you to Kia Howard.
Hi Kia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story started just before COVID hit America. I got tired of the corporate life, left the IT field and joined the hospitality sector in Dallas. I wanted to showcase my personality through events, but then COVID hit. HARD. Lol. It was actually kind of depressing, but it kind of motivated me. It forced me to tap into my creative side. I bought myself a bike and started selling and delivering drinks on my bike. I also joined a Facebook group of Blerds, and started hosting virtual events, like karaoke and virtual mixers. It got crucial, but definitely helped with my work ethic. After “outside” opened back up, I applied to be a bartender in Uptown. I started working at the renown “Turkey DAM” and it was up from there. I met so many people that helped me along my journey to where I am today. I’ve bartended weddings, pool parties and other private events, that they have referred me to, since then. I have expanded from just hosting to creating events, and renting out venues, for the BLERD (Black Nerd) community in Dallas as well.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely was not a smooth road, but I remained steadfast. When I first decided to bartend, as I mentioned, COVID hit like a month later. Even after that, just applying to different bars in Dallas was a struggle. I didn’t really know too many people in the nightlife, and Dallas Nightlife is definitely a “who you know” industry, and very… “what you look like”, as compared to skill sometimes. I battled a lot with my worth, and for a while, I definitely wanted to quit. The Blerd community was more accepting, but I still faced obstacles being a new face amongst an already tight-knit group.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
So I bartend, oftentimes curate a special cocktail menu, for events. I am known for making specialized cocktails with twists, my favorites to make are Old Fashioneds, containing other liquors than whiskey, and flips of any well-known cocktails, like Gimlets or Margaritas. I also specialize in curating events for Blerds, in all facets, including more than anime and gaming. I like to host Magic: The Gathering events, that is my current focus right now.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would like to shout out Speed the Bartender, for sure. He was definitely a help towards the beginning of my bartending journey. He allowed me to bartend some events for him, as well as giving me tips on how to curate a drink menu. I would also like to give a shout out to any one who has ever booked me, DJ Duece, my family that isn’t my family, The McFarlands, my friends all across Dallas. Special shoutout to the DFW Blerd group, who allowed me to host some events for them. I would also give props to everyone who showed up to any event I planned, whether it had been a birthday or a random event I made up.
Pricing:
- Bartending – 75/HR (4 HR min) ($100 Deposit required)
- Drink Menu – Included with Booking
- Providing Garnish – Extra $50
- Travel Outside of DFW – $5/mile
Contact Info:
