Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakerria Davis.
Hi Lakerria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Early Spark & The First Opportunity
My journey into mixology started about ten years ago purely as a personal hobby. I loved experimenting with flavors, crafting drinks for friends and family, and sharing my creative recipes on social media just for fun. Things really started shifting when I played bartender for a girls’ weekend and it was an absolute hit!
A few months later, a good friend asked if I would bartend a surprise birthday party for her sister. At the time, I hadn’t taken bartending seriously enough to consider doing formal events, but I wanted to support my friend and her sister, so I decided to test the waters and do it for free as a trial run.
Building the Foundation & The Lightbulb Moment
Having a few months to prepare gave me the runway I needed to do things the right way. I plunged into research on how to run a legitimate mobile bartending operation. I took courses to elevate my craft, completed formal bartending training to get licensed, and secured insurance for both the business and our events.
When I shared these plans with my fiancé, Gregg, he backed me 100%. He gave me the encouragement I needed, but most importantly, he added immense value right off the bat by suggesting we get custom-coordinated t-shirts made for that first party. It sounds simple, but those shirts made everything feel official—it was the exact lightbulb moment that pushed me to invest in professional bar tables, equipment, and top-tier supplies.
The Name & Meaning
Because Gregg wanted this business to truly be something for me, we decided on the name She is Kei Mobile Bartending. “Kei” is part of my middle name, and our thought was simple: when people ask, “Who is she?”, everyone will know that She is Kei.
A Village of Support
That first party was a massive success, and the outpouring of love and support was overwhelming. My close friends saw the vision early on and wanted to be part of something they truly believed would blossom.
I’m especially grateful for my close friend Yolanda Graham, who worked tirelessly alongside Gregg and me at almost every event without pay in the beginning just to help the business grow. Recognizing her dedication, I named her our Bar Manager—a title and position she takes very seriously. I also owe so much gratitude to our incredible crew of friends who have generously volunteered their time whenever needed: Deanna, Salena, Sherita, Tyisha, Jade, Jakylah, and Latonya.
Where We Are Today
Since officially launching in November 2024, we’ve experienced incredible momentum. Gregg is from Atlanta and I’m from a small town called Quincy, Fl just right outside of Tallahassee, Fl so most of our business comes from our home towns. Even though we limit our operations exclusively to weekends, we’ve already hosted over 20 events! With the most recent event being one of biggest events – a retirement party with over 150 guest.
Gregg and I operate as co-owners, with me serving as CEO and Gregg as COO. We specialize in bringing elevated bar service to weddings, retirement parties, birthdays, sporting events, brunches, and private gatherings. Every celebration is unique, so we tailor custom packages to fit each client’s specific vision, striving to deliver top-tier service and an unforgettable experience with every pour.
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?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road! Like any business owner, I had to learn a few tough lessons through trial and error early on.
One of my biggest eye-opening moments happened when I spent hours preparing and purchasing fresh inventory for a party, only for the client to cancel six hours before the event. Losing that time, effort, and money was a real wake-up call. It quickly taught me the legal and operational side of running a business: I immediately put formal contracts and strict cancellation policies in place to safeguard our time and investment.
Another ongoing challenge comes with the nature of being a 100% mobile business. When you take your bar on the road, you are constantly managing variables out of your control—traffic delays, unpredictable weather, and tight setup windows. Trying to gauge arrival times perfectly and make sure everything is flawless before guests arrive can definitely give me butterflies!
However, those nerves just drive me to be extra prepared. I’ve learned to always build in extra buffer time and keep solid contingency plans in place for bad weather or unexpected road delays.
Every struggle has ultimately been a blessing in disguise. Those early hurdles forced us to tighten our operations, protect our business, and ensure that no matter what happens behind the scenes, our clients always receive a seamless, top-tier experience.
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?
What I Do & My Background
Beyond crafting custom cocktails, my foundation is built on high-level leadership, customer care, and business operations. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Health Services Administration, and I spent over 20 years in practice management within the cardiology division of healthcare in Tallahassee. When life shifted my gears in 2021, I transitioned my career into corporate management for an international company in the pallet industry working out of Jacksonville, Fl
Running She is Kei Mobile Bartending allows me to take all those years of organizational leadership, logistics, and executive management and pour them directly into the hospitality industry.
What We Specialize In & What We’re Known For
We specialize in creating fully tailored mobile bar experiences for weddings, milestone birthdays, retirement parties, brunches, sporting events, and private celebrations. We are best known for our creative craft mixology, sleek visual setups, high energy, and delivering top-tier, stress-free hospitality from the first consultation to the final pour of the evening.
What Sets Us Apart
What truly sets us apart is the combination of medical-grade attention to detail and corporate management precision paired with genuine heart.
Having spent two decades managing cardiology practices, patient care, safety, strict compliance, and impeccable organization are second nature to me. Paired with my corporate background in supply chain and management, our clients get a mobile bar service that runs with clockwork precision—seamless contracts, transparent communication, punctual setups, and rock-solid reliability. We don’t just show up and pour drinks; we curate an elevated, professional experience.
What I Am Most Proud Of
I am most proud of building a legitimate, thriving business alongside my fiancé, Gregg, built on a foundation of family, true friendship, and pure passion.
Watching our close friends step up to support our vision—and seeing “She is Kei” grow from a lightbulb moment with custom t-shirts into a highly requested mobile bartending brand—is deeply fulfilling. Every event we do is a testament to what happens when professional excellence meets genuine love for the craft. When people ask “Who is she?”, I’m proud to show them that She is Kei.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If I could sit down with someone who is just starting their entrepreneurial journey, here are the most important lessons I’d share—and the things I wish I had fully embraced from day one:
Charge What You’re Worth & Don’t Undersell Yourself: When you’re new, it’s so tempting to lower your prices just to land a gig or build a portfolio. But remember: your time, your craft, your inventory, and your expertise have real value. Price yourself fairly from the start, and don’t be afraid to stand firm on your numbers. The right clients will respect and appreciate the quality you bring to the table.
Establish Contracts and Clear Policies Immediately: Do not wait for a bad experience to protect your business. Have rock-solid contracts, clear deposit rules, and firm cancellation policies in place before you take your first official booking. Professional boundaries aren’t mean—they are necessary to protect your time, your investment, and your sanity.
Set Firm Boundaries Early: As a business owner, it’s easy to feel like you have to say “yes” to every request at all hours of the day. Setting boundaries with your time and schedule allows you to operate at your best without burning out. Protecting your energy is what enables you to pour 100% into the events you do take on.
My golden takeaway: Believe in the value of what you offer before anyone else does. When you carry yourself like a professional, protect your business with clear boundaries, and know your worth, the right doors will always open!
Pricing:
- All events pricing or customized to the clients need.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GdDq24PHS/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerri.kerri6?_r=1&_t=ZT-98AmyhAnG8c
