4 months later...

Has it only been 4 months since I last wrote a blog?

The last 4 months have been awesome!!  Who would have thought that during the pandemic we would be in such a good place.  The last 4 months have given me the opportunity to learn new things, grow the business and diversify with what we offer.

In the last blog I wrote about our online Gin Tasting events, these have been fantastic.  I've met so many new customers/friends through offering this, its been great not only for the business but for me working at home most of the time.  The Gin Tasting has led to more business opportunities, learning more about the Gin industry and having great fun at the same time.  Why did I wait so long to start my own business?

So here's what's been happening..

Ive got myself a market stall.  I absolutely love it.  Every weekend my stall is open at The Corporation Yard selling this years award winning Welsh Gins and Rums.  I am working amongst some really super talented people.  The other stall holders are all independent traders who bring something different to our customers.  The market runs from 10-3 Saturday and Sunday, then in the evening it's over to the 'food traders'.  I have met the most amazing people, some that have been in business for years, some that have just graduated and have taken the leap of independence straight away.  The atmosphere is great, everyone loves being outdoors.  The environment is super safe and enjoyed by all that attend.  If you want to meet my fellow traders just pop along to the market.  For the latest info on opening ....(only writing this as there's a chance of another lockdown) look on my social media or @indiesuperstore to check if its open.  Follow the socials and you will get to see who my amazing 'market mates' are.  I am determined that every Christmas gift I buy this year will be bought from my 'market mates'.

This leads me on to Christmas.
 For Christmas I am offering lots of 'boxes' for people to enjoy at home.  The boxes can be pre-ordered online or at the market.  The boxes can then be collected/delivered/posted out before Christmas.  

Our market has been so popular we are on the move.  From October 30th the market will be in 'Ponty' every Friday.  We are hoping the success from Canton continues in RCT.  Come along and say hello if you are in the area.

So the market has kept me busy, the online Gin Tastings have continued and the development of new cocktails and drinks for our Christmas Boxes have been finalised.  So, what else do we do?  We continue to develop the brand.  

You may be wondering what I am talking, read on.....

New Branding

When I first started the business the idea was to own and run a mobile Gin bar, introducing Gins to the masses at various events.  It soon became obvious to me that yes I had a great looking Gin Bar but what was glaringly obvious was that I had was an amazing bar that worked at lots of styles of events. 

During the first year I found that the majority of our bookings were actually for a full bar service and not just gin.  Whilst for the larger events we were a designated Gin Bar for many private's events we were a full bar service offering all drinks.  Following some research I found out that having Gin in the title really was a double edged sword.  We won lots of business because we were Gin specialists but also people felt that they couldn't book the bar because we only offered Gin.  We had to change this to reflect all that we offered.  Having built both our extensive knowledge and coveted award as a gin bar it was very important that we maintained The Gin Tin Bar.

In February I collected a new bar - The Drinks Tin, the name was used to reflect the situation written above.  Our new bar really could offer almost any drinks.  By having The Drinks Tin we were now able to offer a cocktail bar, a mixed service for any occasion.  It also allowed us to offer a dry hire bar.  I could rent out a bar for someone else to use.  This offered another stream of income for the business.

In March, just before lockdown I attended an amazing network event where I was able to talk to many event organisers and it became apparent the idea of a pop up bar at their places of work was a popular option.  Again another new area of the business to develop.

The next few months look really exciting, we have amazing imaged of the photoshoot to release soon, we have a few 'irons in the fire' with some new bar set ups, possibly having a resident bar next year, watch this space!

With so many potential avenues for the business I need a name to reflect all that we offer:

Event Bars
Wedding Bars
Corporate Bars
Private Hire Bars
Community Bars
Gin Tasting Events
Alcohol Gifts
Corporate Gifts 
Cocktail Service
Dry Hire
Indoor Bars

No longer did I feel The Gin Tin Bar was the name for it.

Massive thank you to my friends who were drawn in at this point, we spent hours contemplating names and what they signify.  Over the last couple of months I have spent hours, researching branding, logos, brand identity, naming a brand, brand longevity.... I've consulted and worked with brand professionals, illustrators, graphic designers to get my head straight.  A huge thank you for your input too.  It came down to every bar is distinctive, therefore the name Bars of Distinction.  That is what we are.  

Believe me this is the shortened version of 8 months work...

So moving forward we will still have The Gin Tin Bar, it is a Bar of Distinction.  The same will apply to our other bars, they are all Bars of Distinction.  There are some changes afoot with regards to documentation and website, these will all happen shortly.  All of our wonderful clients that have booked the bars for the next two years have all been made aware of these changes.

On Monday we finally were able to have our 'new' bar in a photoshoot, the new brand name needed to be linked to that shoot.  Over the next few months you will see more of the branding coming through with the new website and logos etc.  For now, please continue to support the business and follow both the new and existing social media accounts:
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@thegintinbar and @barsof distinction

Phew, you've read it all.  Thanks for sticking with it!!

It's been a crazy few months but again I write, who would have though that 7 months into a pandemic the business is flourishing, its moving forward in new areas but most of all its being driven by someone that wakes up every morning smiling with excitement about the future.

Stay Safe Everyone

Helen x