Today we’d like to introduce you to Sahar Kohandel Robin Ogg.
Hi Sahar Kohandel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always believed the best businesses are built on genuine friendships, and that’s exactly how Smoked Velvet came to life.
Robin and I had already been working together on events like Nitty Gritty Chopper City. Robin owns Filthy Gringos, and I own Helluva Party Productions, so collaborating just came naturally. We realized pretty quickly that we make a great team. We both share the same passion for creativity, hospitality, and creating unforgettable experiences. Even though we each bring our own strengths to the table, we always seem to have the same vision. We can spend hours bouncing ideas off each other, and somehow they always grow into something bigger and more creative than we originally imagined. Looking back, I think that’s what made starting Smoked Velvet feel like such a natural next step.
One night we were sitting around a campfire on Robin’s property, doing what we do best—throwing around ideas and dreaming up our next adventure. We started talking about how much we both love hospitality, traveling, and creating experiences that people actually remember. At some point one of us said, “Why don’t we do something together?” Before the night was over, we had come up with the name Smoked Velvet, and from there everything just started falling into place.
From the very beginning, we knew we didn’t want to create just another mobile bar. We wanted something people could truly make their own. Yes, we can roll up and serve handcrafted cocktails and mocktails, but that’s really just the beginning. Smoked Velvet can transform into a coffee bar, dessert trailer, champagne station, cigar lounge, welcome station, merchandise booth, or just about anything our clients can dream up. We love taking someone’s vision and finding fun, creative ways to make it even better.
One of our favorite things about Smoked Velvet is that it’s built to travel. We both love exploring new places, meeting new people, and being part of unforgettable celebrations, so creating a business that lets us hit the road just felt right. Our goal has always been Texas and Beyond. We want to bring Smoked Velvet anywhere people are looking for something unique, memorable, and a little outside the box.
We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built together, and this is only the beginning. We can’t wait to see where the road takes Smoked Velvet next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think building anything worthwhile is ever completely smooth. When you have big dreams, there are always going to be challenges along the way. We’ve definitely had moments where we looked at each other and thought, “Okay… maybe we put a little too much on our plates!” But that’s also part of who we are. We both have big ideas, and we’re not afraid to chase them.
Like any new business, there will be long days, late nights, unexpected expenses, and plenty of trial and error. We have learned with our other businesses that not everything has to be perfect right away. Sometimes the best lessons come from figuring things out as you go.
The biggest thing that’s helped us is that we genuinely trust each other. We know each other’s strengths, we support one another, and we always find a way to keep moving forward. At the end of the day, we’re both determined, hardworking women who believe in what we’re building. We know Smoked Velvet is something special, and we’re excited to keep growing it—one event at a time.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We’re not in the business of serving drinks—we’re in the business of creating experiences.
Smoked Velvet is a traveling mobile bar and event trailer based in Texas, but we’re so much more than a bar. We specialize in creating one-of-a-kind experiences that are completely customized to each event. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, private party, festival, or community gathering, our goal is to create something people will remember long after the last drink is served.
What really sets us apart is our versatility. Yes, we love crafting cocktails and mocktails, but Smoked Velvet can transform into so much more. We’ve designed it to become whatever our clients envision—a coffee bar, dessert trailer, champagne station, cigar lounge, welcome station, merchandise booth, or something completely unique. We love taking an idea and putting our own creative spin on it.
One thing we’re especially proud of is building Smoked Velvet from the ground up and watching it grow from a simple campfire conversation into a business that’s already bringing people together. Every event pushes us to think bigger, get more creative, and continue finding new ways to surprise our clients.
At the end of the day, we want people to walk away saying, “That was so cool—I haven’t seen anything like that before.” That’s what drives us. Creating unforgettable moments, bringing people together, and showing that with a little creativity, a vintage trailer can become just about anything.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is simple: just go for it. Nobody is going to build your dream for you.
If we had waited until everything was perfect, Smoked Velvet probably wouldn’t exist. We’ve learned that sometimes you just have to take the leap, trust yourself, and figure things out along the way.
Life is too short to keep wondering “what if?” We’d rather take the chance, learn from the experience, and keep moving forward than look back wishing we’d never tried.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smokedvelvet.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokedvelvettx?igsh=MTJiMG1mN2V6amxteg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@smokedvelvettx?_r=1&_t=ZT-97cQ4W4d006
