Meet Minel Acevedo of Cocktails Miami 305, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Minel Acevedo

Minel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Cocktails Miami, 305!

Lol! We surely didn’t start out with the success we have today. Gradually, over time it has built up into something we hope will last a lifetime.

I got into hospitality after 10 years in the corporate world. Not knowing anything about service, it was a huge adjustment for me. But I felt like I had no choice. Hospitality seemed like the one career that did not require additional schooling. I had planned to “get in” and “get out” as quickly as possible and resume my career in Management and Supervision, per my degree. I had gotten into trouble with law enforcement and could not find my way back into the Office. I was 27 years old, single, with no kids, and a mortgage. I had to do something.

I decided to take a bartender course thinking I could make money immediately. I had no real experience once I got into the real world, and it showed! My first bartending job was working dayshift at a local neighborhood strip club. I quickly learned that speed is essential in this business and needed to work on that if I wanted to put food in the refrigerator at home. But, mastering a speedy technique can be difficult and frustrating when you lack confidence to start with.

Over the years I remember having 3-5 bar jobs at once. I remember working at different Sports & Concert Arenas, Amphitheaters, and Night Clubs to make ends meet. My tax guy reported 11 W-2s one year. Can you imagine?!
So, it was safe to say that anytime there was a show or an event, I was there. I must have applied to 20 venues and event staffing agencies, just looking for anyone who would allow me to work. Some days I would cover a Day Party and head straight over to a Night concert once we’re done.

Over time I would post pictures on my socials to talk about where I was today. I had a chance to meet so many people who would see me over and over at different venues. As I started to make friends along the way, I would gain 1 or 2 followers. I did not realize how social media can make a huge impact on the impressions people have of your work. People would start to ask if I was interested in bartending their private event at their home or residence. As that started to become more normalized, I started pulling away from the Arenas and Shows.

I named my first Bar & Beverage service company as ‘Top’em Off Bartenders’. To me, it had a catchy ring to it, but it seemed to give off the wrong impression to other people. So, I renamed the business Cocktails Miami, 305! Registered the name with the state and decided to make it official! WooHoo!!

From here we started to invest more in Marketing. I started promoting the business at trade shows and convention center events to meet more people. I currently pick up work through several apps online that have resulted in a higher conversion rate. These days, I am posting more content on my socials as often as possible and we invested in things like a portable bar, equipment and supplies.

What seemed like an overnight process has taken years to build and we are not finished yet. I am learning new things every day and trying to incorporate them into my day-to-day routine. Today, I wear more hats than I did 5 years ago and I am proud to say that I am in control of all aspects of the business. It means something to me to have something of my own.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It depends on how you look at it.
To me, the struggles are opportunities to reinvent. You are pushed out of your comfort zone and into a place where you are forced to try something new. I was struggling with how to meet and connect with new people.

I was introduced to a side of marketing I knew existed, but never knew how it worked. For example, the promotional emails we all get and think it’s spam, – there’s someone behind those campaign emails creating the content with hopes that it catches someone’s attention. Sounds easy, but it’s challenging. Especially, with no experience in marketing. It took me weeks to create an email campaign that the recipient would delete anyway. As a result of the challenge, I could not drive enough traffic to my website. CocktailsMiami305.com

Let’s be honest when we are considering the competition, it can be a struggle. Pricing and add-ons can get intimidating to people and scare them off. Some people cannot see the value in having the service at their event. So, it’s my responsibility to convince the client how having a bartender at their party will change the overall guest experience.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Cocktails Miami 305, LLC?
We are a Mobile Bar & Beverage Service providing high-level cocktail experiences for over a decade. Our experience in the hospitality industry has allowed us to perfect an aged long craft while leaving lasting impressions on our clients. We are passionate about the business and dedicated to ensuring that every event is a success. It is the attention to detail and commitment to excellence we bring to all of our events that show in our work.

We specialize in Craft Cocktails and Signature Drinks. With a strong knowledge of cocktail recipes, our mixologists are trained in the fine art of balance and infused flavors. We have a deep understanding of proper mixing and serving styles. We ensure that each drink is prepared and presented perfectly with fresh ingredients and bright colors. As a mobile bar, we can provide a wide range of drinks to suit any taste pallet.

Brand-wise, we are providing a cocktail experience for your guests. Something that leaves them talking about your event long after it’s over.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
No. All has been told 🙂

Pricing:

• No set pricing. Each event is different

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cocktailsmiami305.com
• Instagram: cocktails_miami305
• Facebook: Minel Acevedo
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cocktails-miami305-coral-springs
• Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=cocktails+miami+305&sca_esv

Image Credits
Nicholas Baylis