TIPSY TUESDAY - Wedding Trends for 2018 with BottomZ Up Bartending & Events
1. Welcome drinks at the reception have been gravitating towards champagne service. Most weddings are moving away from self serve and want butler service.
09-Girl With Tray
1. Welcome drinks at the reception have been gravitating towards champagne service. Most weddings are moving away from self serve and want butler service.
2. Craft beers are in right now, especially getting a keg from a local supplier.
3. Signature drinks are all the rage, with couples wanting a drink that defines them, a signature Groom drink and a signature Bride drink.
4. Most Weddings are only serving shots after the music and party have begun to cause less disruptions during speeches.
5. A trend that was huge this Summer was a slushie machine for blended beverages. The cost is minimal and the feedback from guests is great. They are generally non alcoholic with alcohol being added afterwards for those who wish it.
6. Events are also moving away from having Wine on their tables to a ticketed or butler service to avoid over pouring or wasted half bottles of Wine.
7. White Rum is out and people are moving towards Spiced or dark Rum.
01-Neon
Shelley Francisco
Owner
BottomZ Up Bartending & Events
BottomZ Up is a Bartending & Events company locally owned and operated in Edmonton, Alberta. Serving Alberta for over 9 years, BottomZ Up goes above and beyond to make their client's dreams happen. They have a large staff and are able to service events of any size. They are professional, certified, and insured. Having a team like BottomZ Up behind you on your Wedding day takes the stress of throwing a great event off your shoulders.
For more information, please visit
MAD LOVE MONDAY - Katie Dooley | Katie Dooley Designs
Hi! My name is Katie Dooley and I’m a graphic designer. A lot of people ask me what a graphic designer does, and there’s a huge range from designer to designer.
Hi! My name is Katie Dooley and I’m a graphic designer. A lot of people ask me what a graphic designer does, and there’s a huge range from designer to designer. Me, specifically, I’m a print and brand designer. That means any pamphlet, poster, business card, label, invitation, banner, etc I can design. That’s the print side of things. Brand design is developing a logo and all the supporting pieces for a business that gives them their unique identity and place in the market.
I got into graphic design pretty naturally. I didn’t realize it was graphic design at the time, but when I was in junior high school and we were assigned a fun project like a poster or magazine I would always make sure mine looked the best and most accurate. As I got older and was looking into post-secondary school, I realized that it was actually a career I could pursue!
I love being an entrepreneur because it really allows me to do the work that I want to be doing. I love the freedom of freelance. Good designers are also life-long learners and I love getting to learn about different people in different industries. When I become part of a client’s team, I know I’ve done a good job.
If you’ve never worked with a designer before, finding one can be intimidating. There are so many options to choose from. You can hire a large marketing agency, a smaller boutique studio or a freelancer. All of these deal with different clientele and price points. A great first step is to look through their portfolio see the quality of the work they produce. Absolutely, loving their style is important, but many designers can adapt to fit your needs. Make sure you can work with whomever you pick on a deeper level. You want to know that you can collaborate with them and freely express your ideas. You also want someone that you’re okay being challenged by. So much of graphic design is education – why a certain colour, font or symbol works for the design – and it’s important that you are open to that education from your designer, even if it’s something you might not have originally picked for your brand. I am always emphasizing that design, and the communication around it, is a two-way street. I love hearing my client’s feedback, because at the end of the day, I want them to be happy.
I think having a designer in your corner when you are starting up, or growing your business is so important. Designers can be that outside set of eyes looking into your business and find different and unique ways to reach out to your target audience. There are so many little things we can help you refine that add to the customer experience. One item I actually love to design is forms! Intake forms, receipt books, invoices, proposals, etc, because I believe that even those little elements that someone might overlook, can add to or detract from the brand experience. Reinforcing your brand as often as possible is so important for visibility and differentiating yourself from your competitors.
My biggest piece of advice to someone trying to figure out their brand, or even their business is to go ahead and take the plunge! If it doesn’t work, shift it. Small shifts can make a huge difference, and will allow you to figure out what’s working and what’s not working. Maybe a postcard campaign is perfect for your business - you won’t know if you don’t try - and, if it isn’t successful? Take the opportunity to learn and adjust accordingly.
That’s me and my business in a nutshell! I’m so passionate about helping businesses reach their potential. Just like a great outfit, having a great brand can give a business the confidence it needs to go out there and kill it.
www.facebook.com/katiedooleydesigns
Interested in being featured? Contact us at yegbossbabes@gmail.com
MAD LOVE MONDAY - SOBER SATURDAYZ
The business I have created is called Sober Saturdayz. I work hard to plan really rad, alcohol-free events around YEG! I’ve teamed up with some of Edmonton’s
The business I have created is called Sober Saturdayz. I work hard to plan really rad, alcohol-free events around YEG! I’ve teamed up with some of Edmonton’s most amazing restaurants and bars to build community and implement non-alcoholic options into their establishments. Although this business is on the up-rise now, the brainstorming started at a very young age. I grew up in an abusive home this includes physical, verbal and substance abuse. I saw first hand how alcohol altered my family and I felt first hand how it started to deteriorate my own personality. I became obsessed with the idea of how to help my family, reading numerous self-help books, researching resources online and reaching out to advocates. Even though I put in so much time and energy, I felt like I had hit a dead end. I became frustrated with the fact that I was unable to save or cure some of my family members and that lead to my own binge drinking. Things were dark and felt helpless for a little while but eventually when I began to help myself, my passion project arose! Its amazing how things line up when you start taking care of yourself, and that was the birth of Sober Saturdayz.
Growing up I always knew I would own my own business and that I would help people rekindle the fire within themselves. I just didn’t know how, I tried a few different things but nothing ever came to full fruition. It always felt like I was forcing things, until Sober Saturdayz came around. Initially it was me and another friend who brainstormed ideas, but slowly the project became too big of an idea and I was alone. I knew I was relatable because of what I had been through and I knew I needed this project just as much as this project needed me.
“The goal is to become a little more awake and aware each day. You have come too far to fall back asleep dear sister. Weave your wisdom. Search for ways to wake up”.
Besides the Sober Saturdayz project I am also in school to become an Acupuncturist. I Will finish my Degree by march 2020, this is my toughest goal and will take the most dedication!
I was lucky enough to have a meeting with some of the crew at Start Up Edmonton, they are really good at breaking things down into easy(er) steps. The ability to hold (sold out) events every month is goal one. Finding the most delicious non-alcoholic products is goal two. Collecting resources for addictions and other support in the city and adding it to my website is goal 3. Integrate DELICIOUS non-alcoholic beverages into local establishments is goal 4 and creating my own non-alcoholic product is goal 5. Man that feels good to write down!
There have been more than many times where I wanted to end things. My own mental and physical health played a big part, lack of support from friends added to that and then dealing with my own family was the icing on the cake. Dealing with it all was gross, I’m not going to lie about that. I lost some friends, had to spend a lot of time alone and take risks that I didn’t feel brave or capable enough to take. But here we are, and seriously if I can do it, so can you.
I knew things were going to be okay when I started getting attention from the press. When CBC radio messaged me, followed by an interview on CityTV news and then a 15 min convo with Ryan Jesperson. This showed me that importance of my project and that I wasn’t the only person hungry for change!
I definitely get the best responses from people/community on Instagram. But facebook has been really great for media to get in contact, I think they’re both important platforms to use. I don’t mess with Twitter, I think that will lead to me spreading myself thin. Also I have to say WIX has been THE BEST for creating a webpage. It the only site that was easy enough for me to use and with the layouts I needed!
Finding balance with work and school and Sober Saturdayz has been a ride for sure. Not drinking DEFINITELY helped with that. For me it was really important for me to do things slowly and on my own time. Staying in on weekends, getting enough sleep and long walks (without my phone) with my dog were seriously therapeutic. Not to mention baths with candles, essential oils and face masks. Because for some reason face masks always make me feel like I have my shit together!
The support within the YEGBOSSBABES community is what i'm most stoked about! The fact that we are encouraging one another and helping out with advice when we can (without judgment) is incredible. It’s a seriously amazing feeling seeing woman around you following their passion and glowing because of it!
Interested in being featured? Contact us at yegbossbabes@gmail.com