Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebonie Elijah and Kendra Washington.
Rare Essentials was established in 2015 after we saw the need for these services in the DFW area. We both have a combination of over ten years of bartending experience. Ebonie started bartending/waitressing while in college and new to Texas. She enjoyed the customer service piece of the restaurant and bar industry. When her customer’s departed, her number one goal was for them to walk away happy and satisfied. She enjoys doing for others.
Kendra has always enjoyed entertaining. There were many evenings her friends would get together and she would mix up new cocktails for them to try. Each gathering her friends would convince her that this was something she should pursue on a professional level. After committing to officially taking a class to be a TABC certified bartender, she realized, like Ebonie, that she thoroughly enjoyed serving people.
One night, at a Japanese restaurant, we decided to go forward with starting the company, a business we could pass down to our children to create generational wealth. We began researching what services we could offer within the stipulations of TABC and making connections with other entrepreneurs within the event world. We have been through many obstacles. We are where we are today because of those lessons.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the most part, it has been a pretty amazing journey. We have had some times where we were understaffed and overwhelmed. We had to overcome financial obstacles and turn down opportunities. We have definitely grown during this partnership. We learned that communication is important in order to be successful. Being women and women of color has required us to work hard and really stand out above the rest of our competitors.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Rare Essentials Mixologists – what should we know?
We are a mobile bartending company that staffs events and special occasions. We specialize in ‘Bringing the Party to the Cocktails!’ What that means is we craft and create specialty cocktails all while ensuring that our clients have a great experience. Our Mixologists are fun, energetic, outgoing, and full of personality!
We are known for our PictureMe cocktails. They are the client’s favorite drink topped with a picture of their choice. It is always the topic of conversation at any gathering! We at Rare Essentials Mixologists promise to serve our clients and their guests with extraordinary customer service. We are all different and rare in our own way. We provide the essentials that a bar needs for any and all events.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Our family is VERY supportive. They have been there from the beginning. They are there to fill in, help unload before an event and load after an event is complete. They have been our bar- backs and even our secretaries. Not to mention that they are ALWAYS referring us to potential clients. We owe a large part of our success to them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rareessentialsmixologists.com
- Phone: 972-349-0276
- Email: info@rareessentialsmixologists.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rare_essentials?igshid=ub9r7k6zc6kc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RareEssentials/
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