Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Kuzmak.
Hi Valerie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been in the service industry for over a decade and fell in love with it pretty early on. A huge part of my background is in wine, having worked in a wine bar for many years. That experience gave me the opportunity to learn about pairings, wine, spirits and what really good hospitality looks like.
Today, I also bartend at a high-end restaurant while continuing my sommelier journey. Mixology is a full-time passion for me, and I’m always looking for ways to keep learning and growing.
The idea for The Vault came after I bartended a friend’s wedding. There was something completely different about being part of someone’s intimate celebration. I loved seeing everyone so happy and getting to play a small part in such an important day. I left knowing I wanted to do more of it.
In 2023, I started The Vault Mobile Bar with the idea of taking the kind of bar program and experience you would expect from a highly regarded bar and bringing it on the road.
The personality behind The Vault is also very much me. I’ve spent years working in higher-end establishments and love great wine, cocktails and radical hospitality, but I also love a small, dark dive bar where you know the bartender and always end up in a good conversation. I wanted to bring those two worlds together. Something elevated without losing the personality and connection that makes sitting at a great bar so much fun. That’s where my little traveling speakeasy was born.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to bring The Vault to weddings and celebrations all over Michigan.
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?
For the most part, I would say the road has been pretty smooth, but owning a business definitely comes with its challenges. One of my biggest has probably been myself. I’m a huge overthinker and stress about the smallest details because I want everything to be perfect. When you’re trusted with such an important celebration, there’s a lot of pressure that comes with that, and I take that responsibility very seriously.
I’m also naturally a very black-and-white thinker, and owning a business has challenged me to think outside of that. Not everything has one right answer, especially in the event industry. Plans change, every client is different and sometimes you just have to trust yourself and figure it out as you go. That has been a big area of growth for me.
Another challenge has been learning the value of what I offer. There is so much work behind the scenes that people never see. The emails, planning, shopping, juicing, making syrups, prepping garnishes, packing and loading, then cleaning and sanitizing everything afterward. The hours spent actually bartending are only a small part of what goes into each event. I’ve had to become more confident in what my time, experience and level of service are worth.
Something I didn’t expect was how challenging it can be to maintain originality in an industry that has become increasingly saturated. I put a lot of time and creativity into The Vault, so it can be frustrating to see my original work, content and ideas show up elsewhere in ways that are a little too familiar. If anything, it pushes me to keep evolving and finding new ways to stay original.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Vault Mobile Bar?
The Vault Mobile Bar specializes in bringing an elevated bar experience to weddings and private events throughout Michigan. Our speakeasy-inspired mobile bars were designed to be neutral, so they fit beautifully into just about any event or aesthetic while bringing that warm, intimate and exclusive feeling of a hidden cocktail bar.
We build each bar menu around what our clients actually like. We freshly squeeze our juices, make our syrups in-house and use fresh garnishes, with signature cocktails created specifically for each event. I love learning about my clients, from their favorite flavors and drinks to the little details of their lives, and finding ways to tell a piece of their story through what I create for them.
I’m especially proud of the rapport I’ve built with my clients, the reputation and reviews The Vault has earned, and the growing team behind it. Seeing our calendar fill up so far in advance and having so much of our business come from referrals and people who have experienced The Vault firsthand is incredibly rewarding.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most is our food and bar scene. I’m always excited to try a new restaurant or bar, and I think we have so many incredible places that don’t always get the recognition they deserve. I also love the pride that comes with being from the Detroit area. You really see it with our sports teams and how much we love representing the city.
If I had to pick something I like least, it would probably be how spread out everything is. There are so many great areas and things to do, but you definitely have to be willing to drive to experience all of it. The unpredictable Michigan weather would be a close second!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thevaultmobilebar.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thevaultmobilebar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1b4NArCYNq/
