Today we’d like to introduce you to Karehn Katz.
Hi Karehn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a fascination with history each era has a story to tell and learn about, but the one that really spoke to me was the 1920’s, when famous gangsters and bootlegging alcohol was at its highest. One of the many times in history where citizens rebelled against the laws of having fun by having that sip of alcohol. The Prohibition era showed how many breweries stayed a float by being creative. Many of the beers you drink today are examples of small business surviving. The Emerald Vine Room was like many speakeasy’s back then, helping the community, having a fun time and supporting each other. I wanted to support all creativity at my venue. I was so excited to bring drag shows, Burlesque, local bands, artists, and comedy shows to Murray Hill. I took a chance leaving my full time job to fulfill my dreams. I can’t tell you how scary but wonderful the mystery of chance can be in your life. I loved that I jumped in head first and took the chance, I’m glad to bring good drinks (a wonderful Mocktail Menu) and a place for people to book the venue to celebrate life’s milestones. Being able to be part of the many Latin Women Business owners is such an honor. I hope to bring more to Jacksonville in the future.
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?
Starting a small business is never easy, but for me I had my own hurdles. At times I had to push myself out of my comfort zone, and realized a business plan never will be 100% what you wanted. Sometimes it grows to something better and a little more of you shines through, my suggestion when this happens is Go With It! you never know where it will take you. Yes being a woman owned business is hard at times, but that never fazed me. I think my favorite is seeing people shocked I wear many hats and hope to show them that yes we can do it too! It was challenging for me to understand certain things with my learning disability and had a “I can’t do this” mind set. How can a person who is slow in Certain things going to survive and will people be patient with me? To my surprise I got this far and yes people have been so kind and understanding.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It still amazes me how a sketch of how I wanted the venue to look became a reality. Setting a budget and keeping to it was hard, but lucky me my creativity and design knowledge kicked in. I wanted to give it that pop of surprise when walking in, having that wizard of oz type effect. Where you enter through an Axe throwing venue filled with mute colors and wooden beams and boards, then when you receive the password and come in you immediately have bright colors and lights filling every corner, some people call it the Emerald City affect. Which is fitting since everything is gold and velvet green. I have every wall covered in antiques and artifacts from 1800’s to 1940’s decor. I was able to bring most of my collection to the venue to show off. They finally found a place where people can appreciate art and history. My idea was while customers enjoyed drinks they learned about the past and got to see items up close that they might have never seen before, even the strange and unusual ones.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
This whole dream was a risk, after working the same job for 3 years and wondering “Is this how I want my life to be?” my answer was no. I’m not getting any younger and I look at it as, if I succeed i have done something that others haven’t yet, if I fail I still took a risk and did something that others haven’t. “Who needs a retirement fund ?” I’ve said to myself, at least I gave it a try and can brag in the nursing home how I once owned a speakeasy and helped a community find joy and bring them new experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theemeraldvineroom.weebly.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575032852258
