This was written as a news release, then repurposed as a blog article.

Sugar Rim Bar – Taking a Leap of Faith

Three years ago, Cory Brim could barely talk himself into going to his bartending job. He had become disillusioned and frustrated. Working too many hours for not enough money and working for heavy-handed employers was depressing him.

A friend had a simple solution – quit this job and start your own business.

Three years later, Cory’s Sugar Rim Bar is at five to 10 parties a week. And he’s loving every minute of it. Starting out, his service, which he refers to as a “party in a box,” he had 20 years of experience in the bartending industry. He had two pieces of equipment – a bottle opener and a wine key — and the opportunity to bartend a party for his mother–in–law.  After that first party, he was hooked. He could work for himself and make more money working fewer hours. Today, Sugar Rim Bar has a complete inventory of bartending equipment that allows it to host six parties at a time. He aims to bring a bar/lounge atmosphere to his clients’ homes, including everything they need – the bar, the equipment, the DJ, etc.

His love for what he does sets him apart in the market. Not only does he keep his service affordable, but he believes in doing what needs to be done, down to the last detail. “You can’t fake taking care of people,” he says. He loves his customers, and it shows.

“So many people sit on a business idea for 10-15 years and don’t trust the vision they have,” he says, thinking back to the day he took the leap of faith and quit his job to open Sugar Rim Bar. His key to success now is to keep up the momentum. “I want to see where I can take this, but even if the phone doesn’t ring tomorrow, I can feel like I accomplished something. And I don’t have to be chained down to a job.”

Cory has faced the challenge all entrepreneurs have of managing employees. As his business has grown from just himself to sending others out to clients’ parties, he has learned the importance of being a good leader. Instilling the same values in his employees is essential, but not everyone gets it. “They represent me, but not everyone is on the same path,” he says.

While Cory works in private parties, he is ready to take his business to the next level by getting corporate sponsors and building a team. His relationships with celebrities like musician Marcus Johnson are key to growing Sugar Rim Bar. Born and raised in the Washington, DC-area, Cory has many friends who own businesses and are some of his best marketing resources. He also uses technology, specifically social media, to spread the word about Sugar Rim Bar. “Leveraging social media is the way to go,” he says. It’s free, and the cliché is true – word of mouth is the best advertising tool.