Meet Kelly Tolbert | Marketing professional and Mobile Bar Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Tolbert and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Where are you from and how did your background and upbringing impact who you are today?

Having spent the first half of my life growing up in Northeastern Alabama, among the foothills of the Appalachia Mountains, I will always be a southerner at heart. Some quintessential southern qualities include being passionate about entertaining and hospitality, cultivating a welcoming garden or landscape, and otherwise embracing a relaxed, slower paced way of life. I think my passion for hospitality stems from this upbringing and my early experiences spent in the food and beverage industry. My love affair with the service industry began at sixteen during a corporate store opening as a hostess! From there I basically worked my way around to the back of house, then became a server and eventually a bartender.

All along the way, it was impressed upon me the importance of acquiring a college education. My first attempt was right out of high school when I attended Auburn University where I was leaning toward a degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management. Life had other plans, as we all know how that goes, and I ended up relocating to Arizona. The quaint small town feel, complete with it’s own (southern seeming) hospitality drew me in and I’ve loved it ever since.

What was the thought process behind starting your own business?

Eventually, I did acquire the college degree and sought employment opportunities that provided health insurance, a more structured work schedule (with paid time off!), and the usual benefits package. It quickly became obvious to me that I missed many aspects of the service industry and operating my mobile bar service fulfilled that void.

Shake. Stir. Pour Started out as a sort of a “side hustle” after clients requested that I provide bar service, usually in their homes or businesses, for private parties. One thing about the Prescott community that remains true is word of mouth advertising is the most valuable asset a business can obtain. Thankfully, word started getting around and that is how I’ve been able to grow clientele. Somewhere along the way, probably on Instagram, I saw a horse trailer conversion so the idea for the Cold Pony, Mobile Drinkery got on my radar.

One day at my 8-5 job, a coworker mentioned that he was selling his horses and trailer. I asked for some pictures and determined it would be perfect for this project. That was in October of 2019. Soon, I started working with Likuid Creations in Chino Valley who helped me get it sandblasted; mitigate all the rust by fabricating, powder coating and painting; new tires; etc. and then the world found itself in a pandemic. This first year the Cold Pony basically sat in my yard where I would invite friends “to an new exclusive neighborhood spot” for happy hours. We made the best of it!

Excitingly, we’re adding a second rig to the fleet. It’s a 1969 Grumman Olson step van that will be completely renovated, and adding taps so that the client has an option to rent it as a stand alone rental, as a satellite bar, or staffed for bar service. If everything goes as planned the Olsonette, as they’re called, will be ready by fall.

Tell us about a book you’ve read and why you like it/what impact it had on you.

Recently, I read Unreasonable Hospitality, The Remarkable Power of Giving People More than They Expect by Will Guidara. Essentially, it highlights how a New York City restaurant climbs the ranks from the 50th best to number one in the world. They also managed to earn four stars from The New York Times and three coveted Michelin stars. These accolades were achieved “by offering hospitality that was so memorable, so over the top, it can only be described as unreasonable” . I enjoyed learning about the evolving processes they took to learn about service and leadership and how the concept of hospitality applies to any industry. It’s about the importance of how we influence how others feel and the fact that making others feel remarkable is inherently rewarding.

What value or principle matters most to you? Why?

At this point in my life, I think the quote from the late Maya Angelo sums it up best:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. Authenticity is a principle that is also in the forefront. Once you reach your forties, things that appear fake or inauthentic have no appeal. Its much easier to be your true self, and be true to yourself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Taking people to the Grand Canyon is always fulfilling. Being witness to their first impression never gets old as it is so magical! Prescott has so many beautiful features like the iconic Thumb Butte and the downtown business district shops are always a hit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Being successful with my mobile bar business would not be possible without the support of my awesome clients. There have been many over the years and sharing in their special occasions has been memorable.

Website: www.acoldpony.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shake.stir.pour/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-tolbert-73bb4330/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.tolbert/