Episode 35 : Spirited Ambition

This week, we recorded from the upstairs loft at The Depot (shoutout to Jeff and those $10 Sunday pizzas 🙌) and welcomed Kiah and Bella of Roaming Spirits Bar for a conversation about building a business with boldness, heart and just the right amount of controlled chaos.

From homemade syrups to espresso martinis with tequila (yes, tequila), this episode is about more than cocktails. It’s about showing up, taking risks and choosing ambition on purpose.

We’re sipping blueberry lavender lemonade and a cinnamon espresso martini while talking about:

• Starting a mobile bartending business on a literal TikTok sign
• Moving states to chase a dream
• Being women-owned in the hospitality industry
• The momentum shift from 5 events in a year… to 4 in one month
• Why cost-effective doesn’t mean cookie-cutter
• The real value of investing in experience

This one is fun, inspiring and just a little bit unhinged in the best way.

💡 How Roaming Spirits Started

A cruise.
 A conversation about hating their jobs.
 A TikTok that said “start a mobile bartending business.”
 A house that “just happened” to become available.

Bella packed up a U-Haul.
 Kiah leaned into marketing.
 They built their bar together.

And just like that… Roaming Spirits was born.

👯‍♀️ Women-Owned & Unapologetic

We talk about:

• What it’s like being women business owners in a male-dominated industry
• The difference between being the face of a bar… and owning it
• Community over competition
• Supporting other local women-owned businesses (Dress Gallery, Set Theory Marketing, Crumbs by Jaz, Vu Events and more)

Their approach is collaborative, transparent and rooted in lifting others up.

📈 The March Momentum
Last year: 5 total events.
This March alone: 4 bookings.

Including:

• A Vietnamese tea engagement ceremony
• A bridal event with Dress Gallery
• A branding re-launch with custom rose espresso martinis
• A storefront celebration for Set Theory Marketing

Momentum feels exciting… and a little overwhelming. But they’re embracing it.

🍹 What Makes Them Different
Roaming Spirits:

• Curates signature cocktails around the client
• Provides custom alcohol lists so clients aren’t overwhelmed
• Makes all syrups in-house
• Offers open bar packages with no hidden fees
• Allows clients to keep leftover alcohol

Their philosophy:

The cost of not investing in experience? A cookie-cutter event.And they are not here for cookie-cutter.

❤️ Real Talk Moments
We close with reflections on:

• Not apologizing for being loud
• Allowing yourself to ask questions instead of pretending to know everything
• Showing up for your business partner on hard days
• Building something that feels like alignment, not obligation

This episode is proof that ambition doesn’t have to be harsh. It can be spirited.

🎭 What’s Coming Up

• We’re seeing STOMP with Broadway in Wichita (March 4!)
• Tracy from Groover Labs joins us later this month
• And yes… we’re already planning a Roaming Spirits content day collab
  
  

📲 Connect with Roaming Spirits

Follow them on Instagram: @roaming.spiritsbar
Check out their website for bookings and upcoming merch.