Today we’d like to introduce you to Ernest Gantz.
Ernest, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I come from a restaurant background. Started serving in my 20’s bartended shortly followed which I fell in love with. The different adventures that came with every new day of work hooked me. I bartended in various restaurants in Texas, Greenville and Raleigh for the next 12 years. I never wanted to get into restaurant/bar management; I just loved Bartending. I was happy doing that for the rest of my work life. As I started getting into the mixology side and creating recipes, I learned in the restaurant business if you’re not management your ideas didn’t get respected. So with that frustration, I did like the movies and walked in one day and quit(not professional). The start of On My Way Bartending was born. I wanted to share my passion of Bartending and Mixology with everyone. So I created Mix&Sip Mixology Classes that is an interactive Bartending experience.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We are a COVID company meaning one month after we launched our businesses and had our first class COVID hit. But one of my favorite quotes is from Albert Einstein “You can measure a man intelligence by his ability to adapt” That’s what I did I started making homemade natural no preservatives cocktail mixers and paired them with essential bar tools, recipes and we started selling Mix&Sip Mixology Kits which were literally the class being delivered to your doorstep. We wanted to be able to still provide you with restaurant-style craft cocktails in the comfort of your home. So it was definitely rough but at the same time, it helped tremendously. Being that all the Bartending services was at a halt, we were the only Bartending company that was still able to provide a service. So being a brand new company, it was nice to have a lane to ourselves for a little bit, lol.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Mixologist but a Bartender first. Meaning I love creating beautiful looking cocktails with abstract colors. But my specialty and passion is the Bartending part. It’s the conversation you have with your guests. It’s the new things you learn from engaging with strangers. I am most proud of our customer service. I believe that’s what sets us apart from other Bartending Services you don’t have to question if we love what we do. It glows off us.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love my city Raleigh. We are a supportive community that wants to see locals and small businesses win. We’re steadily growing in entrepreneurship in the area lots of businesses are being open. With that, the price of a retail location in the city is outrageous the only downside.
Pricing:
- Mix&Sip Mixology Classes $60-$70 per person
- Mix&Sip Mixology Kits $25-$50
Contact Info:
- Email: onmywaybar@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.onmywaybartending.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onmywaybartending/
