Getting started in mobile bartending isn’t just about mixing great cocktails. There are a bunch of legal boxes to tick, too. Federal and state governments have their hand in the game, which means knowing who’s in charge of what is crucial. This can save your business from bumps along the way.
A business license is often step one on the ladder. It’s the stamp that says you’re legit in the eyes of the law. Securing this not only keeps you on the right side of regulations but also gives your business a bit of credibility. Kind of like when a cocktail’s got that perfect garnish, you know it’s the real deal.
Steps to Successfully Obtain Your Mobile Bartending License if You Live in The United States
Anybody slinging drinks needs to know about Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) licenses. These are your golden tickets in the bartending world. Without them, you might as well be shaking up mocktails at a kid’s party. Each state has its own way of handling these, so it’s vital to understand the rules where you’re serving.
Next up, health and safety permits ensure that the drinks aren’t just tasty, but safe to consume. Imagine the fallout if you ignore these and something goes awry. Municipalities usually have different requirements, so staying informed is key.
But here’s the kicker: licensing requirements aren’t uniform across states. California might think differently than Texas about what you need in hand to serve that mojito. Do your homework on the rules of each state to keep things smooth wherever your bartending gigs take you.
Steps to Successfully Obtain Your Mobile Bartending License if You Live in Canada
As a fellow Canadian, I’ve learned that liquor laws vary depending on the province or territory in which you reside. For example, when starting my mobile bar business, The Travelling Tavern, I had to abide by the liquor laws of Ontario. Firstly, there are laws in Ontario that state alcohol cannot be sold from anything mobile, which means that clients would have to purchase their own alcohol for events. Additionally, you will have to secure the correct insurance for your mobile bar business. This insurance can include general liability and liquor liability insurance depending on your area so do your research to make sure you have the necessary coverage for your business.
As stated above, if you are trying to start your own mobile bar business do your own due diligence to ensure you are abiding by the liquor laws according to where you live. Information regarding the sale of alcohol in Ontario can be found online on the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario website.
In Ontario specifically, anyone wishing to serve alcohol must be at least 18 years of age and have their Smart Serve Certification. Your Smart Serve Certification is easily attainable and can be completed online.
From a business standpoint, there are a few things you will want to have to get started:
- You will want to register your business with the government. There are different business structures to choose from, so you will want to do your research to decide which business model will work best for you. If you’re interested in learning about the different kinds of business structures available, visit the following website to get started! If reading isn’t your thing, you can also learn more about this topic on YouTube, which helped me understand some of the basic concepts when I was starting out as well.
- You will want to open up a separate business bank account with your institution of choice. This is beneficial for all aspects of the business. You will always want to keep your business financials separate from your personal accounts.
- You will want to learn how to bookkeep properly, there are some apps and programs available to you to do so that are fairly easy to navigate. If you’re not the bookkeeping type that’s okay! You can always look in your area for a local accountant.
- Budgeting is a must since licensing doesn’t come free. Fees vary widely, and it’s easy to get caught by surprise if you haven’t planned carefully. It might be tempting to cut corners—don’t. Treat these fees as vital investments in your business’s legitimacy and longevity. I will likely write a future post breaking down the initial start-up costs of my mobile bar business in Ontario, Canada! Stay tuned if you’re interested in that.
Remember, licensing is only one chapter of your story as a mobile bartender. Building trust and honing your craft go hand in hand with staying legal. Every license you secure is like putting another sturdy plank in the deck that’s the foundation of your business. The stronger your foundation, the more you can focus on mixing that perfect drink and, of course, satisfying your clients.
What Comes After Licensing?
So, you’ve wrapped your head around the types of licenses you need. Now it’s all about getting them in hand. First, breaking it down into manageable chunks makes the process less overwhelming. Do some digging on who regulates what in your area, and get those applications rolling.
- You will want to learn how to build your own website, start your social media pages and focus on creating content that captures your audience. Building a website definitely has a learning curve, it’s not something you can learn overnight. I’m the type of person who likes to do everything myself without depending on the help of others, therefore I was dedicated to learning how to build a website myself. I was fortunate enough to stumble upon the Wealthy Affiliate platform, and let me tell you, it’s been an amazing journey! In just a few short months, I learned so much about affiliate marketing and building my own website. This journey has been an incredible catalyst for self-transformation and the start of my own business. I highly recommend this platform to anyone interested in personal growth. Whether you’re building a website for a new business venture or exploring affiliate marketing to start an online business, Wealthy Affiliate can expand your horizons and impart valuable knowledge.
- Once you get your website up and running, you will want to learn how to advertise in your area. Wealthy Affiliate will help guide you through the advertisement process to expand your business, whether it be a physical business in your city or as stated above, an online business or entrepreneurial journey! Utilizing step-by-step guides, I’ve established all my social media pages to engage my target audience and promote my mobile bar business. With each passing day, I witness further growth and success, and I am deeply thankful for the continued prosperity.
- Training isn’t just for the pour over crowd. Workshops and mandatory courses often pepper the path to getting licensed. Not only do they keep you compliant, but they also up your game behind the bar. Think of it as a sneak peek into leveling up your expertise. There are many online courses available, just do your research! I’ve been bartending for a little over a decade now so I didn’t need to take a course on mixology when starting my business, however, I did mention previously that I joined the Wealthy Affiliate platform to learn how to build my own website.
Everyone makes mistakes, but you’d prefer to skip the avoidable ones, especially when they could halt your plans. Listening to those who’ve been in the trenches can save you tons of trouble. Explore forums, join bartending groups, and lean into the wisdom of those who’ve been around the block. One essential piece of advice is to connect with similar businesses in your area! This allows you to learn from their success and opens up opportunities to collaborate.
Obviously, there is a lot that goes into starting your own business! These are just a few of the steps that I had to take along the way when I was first starting my journey with my mobile bar business. If you want a more in-depth article about starting your own business in Ontario, leave a comment on this post and I will be happy to share more about what I’ve learned along the way. After all, I really did start from square one, not knowing anything at all about what it would take to start your own business.