Brown And Balanced Presents: Bottoms Up With MrMixologist
The Bottoms Up podcast aims to provide insight into the experiences of Black and Brown bartenders and creatives, from their struggles and grind to their humble beginnings and eventual success.
Episode 9 Featuring Aaron Sparks
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In this episode of the "Bottoms Up" podcast, Joshua Davis interviews Aaron Sparks, focusing on Aaron's journey from the music industry to becoming a prominent figure in the bartending world. They discuss the importance of black creatives telling their stories and Aaron's challenges in transitioning from a traditional job to bartending, emphasizing the significance of education and branding in establishing a successful mobile bartending service. Aaron shares his experiences with business planning, the impact of his unique marketing strategy involving his hairstyle, and the role of industry events like Camp Runamok and Portland...
Episode 8 featuring J'Nai Angelle
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 J’Nai Angelle, is a bartender and cocktail & spirits educator who is recognized as "NOLA’s favorite virtual bartender" by Where Y’at NOLA Magazine and “NOLA’s Finest Bartender by Essence magazine. A proud native of New Orleans, Louisiana, she holds a degree from LSU and brings over a decade of bartending expertise to the table. Her journey spans various bar settings, from college and dive bars to fine dining establishments and dessert bars. Along the way, she's competed in prestigious bartending events such as the NOLA Bourbon Fest Bourbon Brawl, Espolon Cocktail Fi...
Episode 7 featuring Turning Tables .....Toure Folkes and Ariel Neal
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Turning Tables is a nonprofit organization based in New Orleans. It is dedicated to transforming the hospitality industry by providing mentorship, cultivating leadership, and creating career pathways while advocating for equity. Their vision is to establish a hospitality sector in New Orleans and beyond that is a model of inclusivity, diversity, and equity.
Two-thirds of the leadership team at Turning Tables, Toure (@alovesupreme) and Ariel (@leiraknowscocktails), sat down with Josh for a lively conversation filled with laughter, valuable advice, and essential information about New Orleans!
This episode is brought...
Episode 6 Featuring Keyatta Mincey- Parker
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Keyatta Mincey Parker is a prominent figure in the spirits and cocktails industry, serving as the Chief Curating Officer at Pictures and Cocktails LLC. With over two decades of experience in hospitality, which includes hotels, fine dining, and clubs, she made a successful transition from modeling to mixology. Her creativity and ability to engage with guests have truly set her apart in the field. Keyatta has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Bartenders in the South by Thrillist and Tastemakers, and her expertise has been featured in notable publications such as Forbes...
Episode 5 featuring Lavell Miller
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Lavell (@thebartwinders) and Mr. Mixologist had a great conversation about building oneself up in the industry, Black fathers, Lavell's rap career, and even got a taste of African Agave . Tune in and enjoy this candid discussion.
This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist
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Episode 4 featuring Mark Coulter
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Mark Coulter is a Chicago-based industry professional and bartender who has worked in several award-winning bars. He is WSET Level 2 certified and has served as a Red Coat in the CAPS program for Tales of the Cocktail. Mark has generously offered his time for many years in leadership roles at Camp Runamok and currently serves on the board for the Chicago chapter of the USBG. Through his contributions and participation in competitions, Mark has had the opportunity to travel abroad to enhance his knowledge. He is passionate about sharing this knowledge and resources...
Episode 3 Featuring Jackie Summers
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We had the opportunity to sit down and talk with one of the most engaging figures in and out of the beverage industry, Jackie Summers. He is a James Beard Finalist, a seasoned public speaker, and a serial entrepreneur. Summers is the founder of JackFromBrooklyn Inc. and the creator of the award-winning Sorel Liqueur. In this episode, we're going to "church," as Jack shares valuable insights on a range of topics! From Black men's health to entrepreneurship, hip hop, and basketball, this is an episode you won't want to miss!<...
Episode 2 Featuring Tiffanie Barriere
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Tiffanie Barriere, known as "The Drinking Coach," is a prominent figure in the Black creative community and a staple in the bartending world. Originally from Louisiana and now based in Atlanta, Tiffanie has earned her place as a bar royalty in her own right as an independent bartender. She is recognized for her innovative cocktail menus and has worked with various bar consultancy clients, while also hosting mixology classes nationwide. Tiffanie skillfully connects culinary and farm culture with the world of spirits.
As a leader in the industry, she serves on...
Episode 1 Featuring Mia Love
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In this kickoff episode of the Bottoms Up Podcast with Mr. Mixologist, we speak with Oakland, California native Mia Love. Mia is one of the most interesting people in our industry, boasting a vast array of talents. She works full-time at Stanford University and is also a financial advisor, the owner of a mobile bar service, and a consultant for various brands. Mia has a compelling story that deserves to be shared. We will discuss all of her endeavors, including her experiences with neurodiversity, her TEDx talk, and much more.
This...