Today we’d like to introduce you to Ka’Nita Glover.
Ka’Nita, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Ever since I learned what the word Entrepreneur meant when I was in grade school I knew it was something I wanted to accomplish. I have always been in love with the dictionary. I am in love with words and their true definition. This word genuinely resonated with me the moment it crossed my path when I was 10 or 11.
In result, I have attempted many business ventures prior to The Bar Bank. I created “Your Student Angel” right after high school while starting Junior College at Grossmont. I ran small errands for the elderly who could not move around much for extra cash. I started a juicing business while working in corporate America for an extremely popular clothing company in my twenties. I had just finished studying for my Product Development degree at the Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.
I had a glamorous career in the fashion industry, booked a few film credits for wardrobe styling, and was being paid to travel the country introducing new clothing to current and potential retail buyers. We were all let go of 2009. My rent went up the same month. I decided to move home to San Diego. I loved it here in SD but Los Angeles grew on me. On a whim, I accepted an opportunity to move to South Beach Miami. I worked at a famous Steakhouse and took my time to figure out my next move. I was hired to be a host. I had no idea they were all bikini models and insanely gorgeous. There was no skill required and I am not the “shut up and look pretty type”.
I noticed the bartenders and servers were all making six figures. It blew my mind. They were rockstars. I wondered, “How can someone look down on someone in the service industry when they are making this kind of money!?’ I decided to learn the trade. I figured… “I can do this for a year…. maybe a summer, then get back to being creative and making moves in fashion and or film. I dreamed of traveling the Carribean while I was there and of course reverted back into a work a holic at the steakhouse.
After moving back to San Diego to look after my mother with a failing heart, I began working on my home organic kitchen pantry with infused spirits, housemade simples, and elaborate dinner parties. I accepted a seasonal bartending job at the Fairgrounds and Racetrack for the summer. We are not allowed to make fresh margaritas there. I made a lovely lady a fresh margarita may be back in 2013-14. She immediately asked if I needed extra money or work. I told her I was slammed with work but was curious about the opportunity. Her name was Jessica Crissey. She worked for a chef name Andrew Spurgin. She got me connected to all the top catering companies. I worked for them all for years. It came a time where I wanted to combine my sales skills with my private event skills. I placed an ad in Coronado Happenings to avoid any conflicts with the catering companies I was working for. I never wanted to get my clients through the companies that were hiring me.
I just have better tact and respect than to do that. I was hired to bartend the first annual Coronado Film Festival, then the Coronado Flower Show. After that, I booked a VIP client who I still communicate with today and The Bar Bank was born. My sales skills combined with my eye for aesthetics from the fashion world helped me feel like the designer behind the glass. We are currently booking the holiday season! Please send an email to introduce yourself!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My road has not been smooth, to say the least. I always called it the “Incompetent until proven competent” approach when it came to the workplace personally. Regardless of my resume, references, and experience, I seem to always be looked at with initial doubt in my ability to do or understand my job. I always wanted the work to speak for itself but learned quickly in the workplace, this is not enough.
I also got to the point where my sales skills created a need for strong trustworthy team members. It is just a lot to manage alone. I have encountered some turbulence there in regards to a finding trustworthy help. So competition and sabotage can be nasty if you are not careful. Everyone is not looking out for my or our best interest as I guarantee to do for ALL my clients at ALL times. All of my challenges ensure me that I am on to something great and people are paying attention. I, unfortunately, have grown accustomed to being initially dismissed or not taken seriously until the job is done and I have moved on to the next project.
Even then, I at times am still not respected or acknowledged in traditional workplaces. I just keep doing the work and focusing on the prize. I attempt to stay blameless and treat everyone with love and respect. It goes a long way when people attempt to sabotage you in this industry. Even people who do not care for me will stand up for me due to my integrity and work ethic.
The smooth part is being in a zone and or flow of doing something you love. In result, by the time you look up, the people who matter the most know your worth. They also value your work ethic and passion. It spreads like wildfire and business is naturally booming!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Bar Bank – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Bar Bank is a Full-Service Beverage Catering and Event Supply Company. We specialize in Bar Services, Waitstaff, and Rentals (mainly glassware) for private gatherings. We also offer bar training in a fun environment, Mixology Parties, Specialty Cocktail Packages, and coffee service. I am a self-funded, woman-owned, small business owner. I am the Lead Bartender and Operational Manager for the company.
My main objective is to legally obtain a full liquor license, have a full-time residency with a credible event space, and I would love to retail my creations one day. I train all staff to meet my standards and surpass the expectation of my clients. We definitely take it up a notch. I help train single mothers and fathers, hard-working people of all ages and backgrounds struggling to make it in this expensive time and city. People really need extra money and this industry has made me a lot over the years. When you bartend correctly people show their appreciation. I want to show people who are willing to learn another route to being self-sufficient. They just must have hospitality and our banquet experience.
I am most proud of manifesting a thought into action. And then maintaining a service that is growing and thriving. As a company, I am proud of the constant positive feedback from clients. I am most proud that we honestly kick ass! I am also proud of all the wide variety of different cultures and backgrounds who have allowed us in their home and personal space. We utilize and respect all cultures and backgrounds in our creativity and hiring process.
What sets us apart from the other wonderful companies doing something similar are my transferable skills from the fashion industry and from being a successful Account Executive for nine years prior to getting into bartending. I took the untraditional route as I often do and went from corporate America to hospitality and actually enjoyed the switch. We are not just college students trying to make extra money while earning degrees. We are true industry professional and aspiring industry, professionals. The fact that we make and create delicious and balanced cocktails are just the icing on the cake. We can create and make amazing cocktails in an extremely high-end environment and very relaxed and casual.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have a great deal of good times and fun memories growing up in Southeast San Diego and attending school in Point Loma area since kindergarten. Again what stands out is the diversity I experienced that shaped me to be the well-rounded person I am today. I literally grew up with ALL walks of life. From attending grade school at Silvergate near Sunset Cliffs to living on a street full of Laotians, Latinos, and African Americans in Southeast San Diego. I was a latch key kid so I had a great deal of independence.
I always seemed to stay out of trouble however for the most part. I didn’t have much supervision so my house was a constant revolving door of friends, strangers, and family. Everyone was welcome and we would feed everyone and have a good time just about any day of the week. I engaged with everyone and built solid relationships and maintained a good reputation. I treated everyone who crossed my path well. My high school days reminded me of that show Laguna Beach. My high school years were like, most people’s college years. By the time I got to college, I had been there done that and wasn’t impressed with partying. I was focused on my future and my health.
Pricing:
- Mixology Party $300 minimum
- Specialty Cocktail Package $250 minimum
- Beer and Wine Only $200 minimum
- Dbl Old Fashion Cocktail Glass Rental $1.10 per glass
- Espresso/ Coffee Service $250 minimum
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebarbank.com
- Email: Barbankers@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/the_bar_bank
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/thebarbank
Image Credit:
Kanita Glover @the_bar_bank IG
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