Were you looking at how to start a mobile bar business in your city or local area? If you were in that deep hole of thought then let me assure you that you are thinking of the right business you can fly with and make money from it.
A great opportunity for this business is that it’s a flexible business that allows you to interact with so many people and harvest cash from them. Meaning you become your boss while making others happy. But, on the other side, it can feel challenging how you can start this business settle all the things down and start to make money from it.
Most people become overwhelmed by how they can set it up and make sure they grow their customer base also, deciding what equipment they should have, how to obtain legal permits and even building a great shield if relationships with big liquor suppliers.
There is a proverb that says “What a man can conceive and believe, can achieve” We believe you can achieve your motive if you are looking for how you can start a mobile bar business whether focusing in your home city or thinking it as a wide business like KFC.
This post deeply explains how to start a mobile bar business in your city without investing more time and effort. It outlines steps to follow to make sure that you achieve your business goal. I believe that after reading this post you will understand what is a a mobile bar. Also, the steps of setting up your first mobile bar, and step by step how to manage it and grow your income from it.
What is a Mobile Bar Business
A mobile bar business is a kind of business that involves taking a bar or liquor store to different indoor and outdoor venues and events and serving alcohol and other drinks. With a different design, a mobile bar is sometimes called a movable bar. A bar that gives the option to sell alcohol and other drinks to different places easily and softly. With a mobile bar, you can sell your drinks to events, parties, and places of enjoyment like beaches.
How Much Do You Need To Start a Mobile Bar?
The amount of capital needed to start a mobile bar differs due to several factors. Those factors are the nature of the market, customer preferences, goals and targets, marketing strategies, and the design of your bar. Some people believe that with an amount that ranges between $2000 to $50,000, you can start a mobile bar. A bar that will satisfy your customers, make money and enjoy your business. You know the amount of capital sometimes determines how your business will operate and what amount of capital you should expect.
How to Start a Mobile Bar
Now, After you have come across a short introduction, now, here are the steps and things to consider if you were looking at how to start a mobile bar business.
1. Conduct market research and market planning
Before all, know the industry in which you are going to be. Research to understand how other mobile bars in your area are performing. This helps to understand a market gap, and competitor’s weaknesses and even obtain strengths which might help you to dominate a market.
Another thing which you should look for is the demand. It is very difficult to understand to what extent people demand the products you are going to offer until you undergo deep market research. Research to understand the demand. Sometimes the nature of the demand can help you come up with some opportunity which can safeguard your business. For example knowing the area you want your business to cover, the priorities of customers and at what time, and events customers prefer buying alcohol and other drinks.
Remember, You won’t be alone, other sellers and brands will also be competing to make sure they obtain the customers you are focusing on. and even you will find yourself with them at the same event. Then, an important thing here is you should create a way to differentiate your brand from other brands. make your brand unique, while saving the best service.
2. Define your services
There are different kinds of mobile bars out there, therefore before doing to buying anything you are required to define your niche. This means defining what you are going to offer to your customers and being prepared to offer it to a maximum extent.
For example, you can decide to set up a coffee bar, alcohol mobile bar or alcohol and soft drinks and other beverage bars. Following defining your niche you can also define the structure of your operation in case of events or outdoor service. Set and prepare your team, make sure they well skilled and ready to provide authentic service to your customers.
It is also worthwhile and effective to set boundaries for your business by deciding what type of events you will focus on. I believe is not worth attending every event, because remember you want to build a customer base, popularity and cash as well. Therefore, focusing on a certain type of event and leaving out other events can be healthier for your business survival, customer building and keeping yourself out of unnecessary competition.
3. Obtain necessary licenses and permits
Now, after clearly knowing what you are going to do, then obtain the necessary permits and licenses. Obtaining business permits and licenses is not uniform and does not have the same procedure but differs depending on the country and state. Every country and state has unique ways to provide licences for business and permits as well.
But, something to keep in mind is that defining your business’s niche, and location simplifies the process of obtaining licenses and permits. Most states and government entities which deal with the provision of permits and licences provide it according to what business is going to be done, and at what location or operation structure.
Therefore, you can go to government entities that have give authority to provide licences to businesses on behalf of the government to obtain licenses and permits. Also, in some countries, there are boards which deal with, and control some products like alcohol and cosmetics. make sure you have a permit from them when starting your new mobile bar business.
4. Acquire necessary equipment
If you are starting a new mobile bar, it may cost you some amount of money to secure the necessary equipment for your mobile bar business. Some of the necessary equipment for this business are; refrigeration tools, for example, a nice heavy-duty refrigerator. Also, serving tools, and some equipment might differentiate your business from other businesses.
Keep in mind that, the niche of your business determines what equipment you would buy. For example, a coffee bar may greatly differ from an alcohol bar in equipment. Other factors which contribute to determining what equipment you should secure are the nature of the events you will be focusing on, the number of event guests, and the duration of the event.
5. Build a menu
After all, now is a time to list down what you will be saving depending on the price. You can create a menu with various drink options touching a market demand.
At this step creativity is key. The level of creativity determines how your menus will impact your business. Setting up a menu can be seen as an easy process but it’s the heart of a business. So I can say it is so complex. You will be required to create a menu that fulfills your customer’s desires while competing with other sellers in the market.
Be keen, in events, some event managers like to create a menu for their guests. Therefore act as they want but make sure their menu makes a profit and satisfies your customers at the same time.
6. Develop a marketing strategy
After setting up your business, now you might want your business to get known by your people, attracting them and starting to build a customer base. For a business to succeed, it should be known by many people. Therefore, that step of promoting your business to reach people can now follow. But, you can not just promote a business, you need to choose what strategy you will use you reach and attract customers.
For example, you can choose a strategy that you think can work fine and provide you everlasting impact. You can choose to promote your business through various social media platforms like Instagram, Local events, Radio and TV shows, or even having a partnership with event planners. All in all, choose a way that can fly up your business, making it known and driving profit from it.
7. Establish relationships with product distributors
I believe a mobile bar business can not push you to directly do business with product manufacturers but instead, you will do business with distributors and liquor stores. Therefore, consider building a strong relationship with them, negotiating a price then doing business with them. Business goes like waves, have crest and trough. Having a strong relationship with suppliers and distributors can help to ensure that your business receives products whether it is at the crest or trough.
8. Consider networking and collaboration
Do you know that business depends on other businesses to succeed? If you ever know now know it and keep it in your mind. Your mobile bar business also needs to join this business strategy to succeed. Therefore, consider connecting with other businesses and professionals in your business niche. You can consider connecting with event planners, wedding coordinators, and other businesses with can seem with to your business sustainability.
A good business collaboration is that goes in two two-way effects. Consider promoting their business wherever required this increases the chance for them to promote or allow you to make money. This also helps people to trust your business and grow your business’s customer base.
9. Focus on exceptional service
A good business is one that make profits while satisfying its customers. Focus on proving authentic service. a service that create memorirs in customers head and leaver a scar to their mind. If you get nice reviews from customers is a nice starting point to attraction more and more customers. Some people usually research before getting in touch with your business. They love hearing what people say about a business before making any buying decision.
Therefore, to capture customer attention and grow your customer base, train yourself and your team to provide exceptional service and keep on improving it daily. Make your clients amazed by your service. update and make it exceptional daily to attract them and keep them in touch with it.
10. Continuously improve your services and adapt to trends and technology
At this step, I believe you will be running your mobile bar business and making money from it. Also, enjoying its rewards. Now, it’s also the right time to keep widening its business steam and making it more strong and impactful. Therefore, you will required to keep updating your business depending on your niche and industry trends. Update your business daily suiting and match it with trends and customer preferences.
Listen to your customers, seek their feedback and improve it according to what they prefer or say. Remember customer reviews have a great impact on your business success. Seek to know what customer what customers experience and conduct some improvements. Make sure customers enjoy choosing your business and hold them effectively.