Today we’d like to introduce you to Mykele Hughes.
Hi Mykele, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My entrepreneurial journey began in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana, where I took my first bartending class and learned the fundamentals of mixology. What initially started as an interest quickly developed into a genuine passion. I knew early on that I wanted to create something bigger than simply working behind a bar. I envisioned building something of my own, so I began putting my ideas on paper, creating a binder filled with business plans, goals, and inspiration for what I hoped would one day become my own bartending brand.
After landing my first bartending job, I realized just how much I loved the industry. From crafting cocktails and interacting with customers to being part of people’s celebrations, I discovered that bartending allowed me to combine my creativity, personality, and love for bringing people together.
When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, bringing uncertainty and unexpected challenges, I saw an opportunity to turn my passion into something more. I began creating and selling premade cocktails throughout Indianapolis. What started as a way to generate additional income quickly became an opportunity to introduce others to my creativity and build the foundation of my business. Through word of mouth, customer support, and my determination to keep growing, Kocktails with Kelez began transforming from an idea in my binder into a brand with real potential.
As my journey continued, I relocated to Houston, Texas, bringing my entrepreneurial dreams and ambitions with me. Moving to a new city meant starting fresh, building relationships, understanding a different market, and finding ways to reintroduce my business. Rather than viewing those challenges as setbacks, I saw them as opportunities to elevate my vision. I began shifting my focus from simply selling premade cocktails to developing Kocktails with Kelez into a premium mobile bartending service that delivers memorable experiences.
For me, bartending has always been about more than pouring drinks. It’s about creating an atmosphere, connecting with people, and bringing something special to their celebrations. I want every client to remember not only the cocktails but also the energy, professionalism, creativity, and overall experience that Kocktails with Kelez provides.
Outside of entrepreneurship, I am a proud mother, a healthcare professional in a leadership role, and a nursing student pursuing my goal of becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Balancing motherhood, my professional career, nursing school, and entrepreneurship has required discipline, sacrifice, and determination. Although the journey hasn’t always been easy, each responsibility has helped shape my work ethic, leadership skills, and perspective on success.
Today, I am focused on continuing to build and expand Kocktails with Kelez throughout Houston and the surrounding areas. My vision is to establish a recognizable premium mobile bartending brand known for exceptional customer service, signature cocktails, creativity, and unforgettable experiences. Eventually, I hope to expand throughout Texas and beyond, creating opportunities for growth while remaining true to the passion that started it all.
Looking back, one of the most meaningful parts of my journey is realizing that the binder I created years ago was more than a collection of business ideas. It represented a dream that I was willing to believe in before I had all the resources, connections, or answers. Today, I am still building that dream, one opportunity at a time.
If there’s one thing I hope my story inspires others to understand, it’s that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. Sometimes, you have to start with what you have, believe in your vision, and remain committed to the process. As a mother, a professional, a student, and an entrepreneur, I want to show other women that it’s possible to pursue multiple dreams without limiting themselves to just one identity.
What began with a bartending class in Indianapolis has grown into a vision much bigger than I ever imagined. I’m not just building a bartending business. I’m building a brand, creating a legacy, and working toward something that my daughter can one day look at with pride.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would be doing myself a disservice if I said this journey has been a smooth road. Entrepreneurship comes with its own set of challenges, and I’ve learned that having a passion for something and building a successful business around that passion are two completely different things.
One of my biggest challenges has been balancing the many responsibilities I carry. I’m a mother, a healthcare professional in a leadership position, a nursing student, and an entrepreneur. Each role requires time, energy, dedication, and sacrifice. There have been moments when I’ve had to put certain business goals on hold to prioritize my family, career, or education. Learning how to manage everything while still making time for myself has been an ongoing process.
Another challenge has been transitioning my business from Indianapolis to Houston. When I first started, I had the familiarity of my hometown and the support of people who already knew me. Relocating meant entering a completely different market, establishing new connections, rebuilding my clientele, and learning how to position my brand in a city with so many talented entrepreneurs. Houston is full of opportunities, but it also requires consistency, creativity, and the willingness to put yourself out there.
Financially, I’ve also learned that building a business requires more than having a great idea. There are investments, unexpected expenses, marketing efforts, equipment needs, and operational costs that come with turning a vision into reality. I’ve had to learn to be strategic with my resources, exercise patience, and understand that every part of my business doesn’t have to happen overnight.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that progress doesn’t always happen on the timeline we create for ourselves. I’m naturally ambitious, and when I envision something, I want to see it come to life. However, entrepreneurship has taught me the importance of trusting the process, remaining flexible, and understanding that sometimes growth requires you to slow down, reevaluate, and adjust your approach.
Despite the challenges, I’ve never lost sight of why I started. Every obstacle has taught me something about business, leadership, resilience, and myself. I am still learning, growing, and developing Kocktails with Kelez into the brand I envision.
I’ve learned that success isn’t always about how quickly you reach your destination. Sometimes, it’s about having the discipline and determination to keep going, even when the journey looks different from what you originally planned.
And if there’s one thing I want my daughter and other aspiring entrepreneurs to take from my journey, it’s that obstacles don’t mean your dreams are impossible. Sometimes, they’re simply part of the foundation you’re building for something greater.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Kocktails with Kelez is a mobile bartending brand built on creativity, passion, exceptional hospitality, and the belief that every celebration deserves a memorable experience. What originally began in Indianapolis, Indiana, with creating and selling premade cocktails has evolved into a vision of bringing an elevated, personalized bartending experience to Houston, Texas, and eventually beyond.
My brand focuses on providing professional bartending services, handcrafted cocktails, and personalized experiences for special occasions, private celebrations, and social events. I enjoy experimenting with different flavors, creating signature cocktails, and finding unique ways to bring a client’s vision to life. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a larger celebration, my goal is to make the bar experience one of the highlights of the event.
What sets Kocktails with Kelez apart is the personal touch I bring to everything I do. I don’t believe bartending is simply about mixing ingredients and serving drinks. It’s about hospitality, presentation, atmosphere, and creating genuine connections with people. I want clients and their guests to feel welcomed, entertained, and appreciated. My personality is naturally outgoing, and I genuinely enjoy interacting with people from all walks of life. I believe that energy, combined with professionalism and attention to detail, helps create an experience that extends beyond the cocktail itself.
Another important part of my brand is creativity. I don’t want Kocktails with Kelez to be limited to traditional bartending services. My long-term vision includes customized cocktail menus, signature drink experiences, premium mobile bar setups, private events, and opportunities to educate others about mixology. I also want to incorporate more educational content through cocktail demonstrations, bartending tips, and creative ways people can elevate their own entertaining experiences.
What I’m most proud of is the foundation behind the brand. Kocktails with Kelez wasn’t something I created overnight. It began with a bartending class, a binder full of handwritten business ideas, countless hours of learning, and the courage to put myself out there during the pandemic. Even as my personal and professional responsibilities have evolved, I’ve continued to believe in the potential of what I started.
I’m also proud that my brand reflects who I am as a person. I’m ambitious, creative, personable, and passionate about providing quality service. My background in healthcare leadership has also reinforced the importance of professionalism, communication, organization, and understanding people’s needs. Those are qualities I want reflected in every interaction someone has with Kocktails with Kelez.
As I continue building my presence in Houston, my focus is on brand recognition, establishing meaningful relationships, expanding my services, and positioning Kocktails with Kelez as a premium mobile bartending experience. I want to create a business that clients trust, recommend, and remember.
Ultimately, I want readers to know that Kocktails with Kelez is about more than what’s in your glass. It’s about the experience, the memories, and the person behind the bar who genuinely loves what she does.
My goal is simple: Create the cocktails, elevate the experience, and leave a lasting impression.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice to anyone starting out is to believe in your vision, start with what you have, and don’t be afraid to take risks. One thing I wish I understood earlier is that everything doesn’t have to be perfect before you begin. Entrepreneurship requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s because everyone’s path looks different. Most importantly, stay committed to your goals, even when progress feels slow. Your dreams don’t have an expiration date, and sometimes the smallest beginnings lead to the greatest opportunities.
Pricing:
- Bartender Only -$250
- Blue Package starting at $350
- Black Package starting at $450
- Gold Package starting at $550
- Large Events- Custom Quote
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kocktailswithkelez
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19Z19utz1Q/
