Exploring Life & Business with Candace Duncan of Candy Bar Personal Bartending Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Duncan.

Hi Candace, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2007 is when I discovered the passion I had for being in the Hospitality industry. Growing up, I wanted to major in Criminal Justice in hopes of one day becoming a detective and I just knew that would be my career path. I was a teen mom and knew I had to make the best life possible for my daughter Kyla and me at the time. I have enrolled in different colleges for Business Management, Respiratory Therapist, Hospitality, and Tourism Management, but never stopped working in the service industry as a bartender and server.

I was working at Red Lobster for almost 11 years and I loved my job, but I knew that it was time for me to step out and start a business but just didn’t know where to start. My Godmothers Beverly Macklin and Christine Watson were dining at Red Lobster one day and I explained to them that I wanted to do something new. They suggested that I start my own mobile bartending service, well the rest was history!!! In 2015, my friends and I got together and came up with the unique name Candy Bar Personal Bartending Services, created my logo, my mother maxed out her Amazon credit card for me and I got work!!!

Today, I have been blessed with 5 wonderful bartenders Denise, Bryan, Jerrica, Kayla, and Miya, who have been the most hard-working, loyal employees that anyone could ever ask for! We have multiple bars running on the weekend and my team always shows up and shows out. So many other bartenders in the city have always been willing to work with me and help me on this journey as well and I am forever grateful for them as well.

I have had the honor to bartend events for Mayor Strickland, Moneybagg Yo, Southern Heritage Classic just to name a few and it has been the most amazing experience. We have serviced over 300 events in this 6-year journey and counting!

I continued to work full-time while building my brand because I knew one day, I would be a full-time entrepreneur. Like so many others, we are scared to take that leap of faith but in July 2021 I knew it was time and it has been the best decision I ever made. I’m able to focus on my brand more, spend more time with my two children Kyla and Cameron, and do what I truly love.

Candy Bar Personal Bartending Services aims to be the most upscale, professional mobile bartending service in the city and we want everyone to experience “The Candy Bar Experience!!”

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This road has amazing. My clients, family, and friends have been so supportive in my journey.

I sometimes wish there were 2 of me because people want me in multiple locations at once lol. I gave my team the blueprint but they all give you their own unique style behind the bar and my clients always fall in love in the end.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Candy Bar Personal Bartending Services is a luxury mobile bartending service that specializes in hand-crafted cocktails and amazing guest experiences. We are known for our fresh in-house purees, simple syrups, liqueurs, and Mixology KIts.

Our services set us apart from others because everything is made with love, fresh fruit, and herbs, We rarely use store mixers, we love for our cocktails to be refreshing and enjoyable.

Our Mixology Kits have put us on the map at the start of the pandemic. These kits include our fresh in-house mixer, cocktail glass, jigger, custom recipe card with liquor recommendations, and garnishes. You can create and enjoy one of our hand-crafted cocktails in your own home.

We offer:

• Mixology Classes (Perfect for Team Building, Girl’s Night, Date Night, Birthday Parties)
  Servers.
• Bartenders and Mixologist for any Event.
• 1 on 1 Bartending Courses.
• Mimosa Bars.
• Sangria Bars.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Spending time with grandparents during the summertime.

Contact Info:

• Email: Candybarbartending@gmail.com
• Website: www.candybartending.com
• Instagram: @Candybar_bartender
• Facebook: Candythebartender

Image Credits
Sedrick Askew and Impact Lyfe Smash Studios Photo