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Conversations with Stacey Carr

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Carr.

Hi Stacey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our story began in a fun and unexpected way — two passionate friends, brought together by our daughters’ cheerleading adventures. During a cheer competition, surrounded by all the energy and excitement, we discovered a shared love for bartending and a vision for creating a mobile bartending service that could truly elevate any event.

What started as a simple idea quickly grew into something more. We began experimenting with cocktails, mocktails, and even fun twists like dirty sodas and cold brews — and people loved it. From that spark, Gingerly Spirits was born: a business built on creativity, attention to detail, and the belief that drinks can be more than beverages — they can be an experience.

Today, Gingerly Spirits has grown from that cheerleading spark into a full mobile bar service that serves weddings, private parties, pop-ups, and community events across North Florida. We’ve expanded our offerings with themed cocktail menus, charcuterie cups and boxes, and customized non-alcoholic options so there’s something for everyone. Every event is a chance for us to do what we love most — bring people together and make celebrations memorable, one drink at a time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting is never completely smooth — and our journey was no exception. In the beginning, one of the biggest challenges we faced was simply getting noticed. We had this great vision and passion for what we wanted Gingerly Spirits to be, but breaking through in a crowded market was harder than we expected.

To overcome that, we made the decision to put ourselves out there in new ways. We began participating in vendor markets all around North Florida, which not only gave us visibility but also let us connect face-to-face with our community. We also invested in paid advertising to reach a wider audience and get our name out there.

Looking back, those struggles were also turning points — they pushed us to be creative, show up consistently, and really build relationships in the community. Each challenge made us stronger and more intentional about how we grow Gingerly Spirits.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Gingerly Spirits, we specialize in mobile bartending that goes far beyond just serving drinks — we create experiences. Whether it’s a wedding, private party, corporate event, or community pop-up, our goal is to elevate celebrations with customized cocktails, creative mocktails, dirty sodas, cold brews, and even charcuterie add-ons.

We’re known for tailoring every menu to fit the event theme or guest preferences — from spooky Halloween cocktails and champagne brunch flights to refreshing seasonal mocktails that stand out at local markets. That ability to adapt and create something truly unique for each event is something we’re very proud of.

What sets us apart is the personal touch. We don’t just show up with a bar — we bring energy, creativity, and flair that makes people remember the experience long after the event is over. From fun garnishes and glittery touches to our detail-oriented setups and custom branding, we make sure every detail feels special.

What we’re most proud of is the community we’ve built along the way. We’ve gone from being a new vendor in a saturated market to a recognizable name across North Florida, all while staying true to our vision: to make gatherings more memorable, one drink at a time.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think risk-taking is at the heart of entrepreneurship. For us, one of the biggest risks we’ve taken has been the financial investment in building Gingerly Spirits from the ground up — literally. We’ve built all of our bars ourselves and even redid a trailer from start to finish to create the right setup for our events. That took time, resources, and a lot of belief that it would pay off.

The truth is, it takes money to make money, and right now we’re still in the growing stages. That means profit margins are small, but we don’t let that discourage us. Instead, we see it as an investment in our future — every dollar we put in now is building the foundation for something bigger down the road.

To me, risk is less about gambling and more about believing in yourself enough to invest in your vision, even when the payoff isn’t immediate. That mindset keeps us moving forward and dreaming bigger.

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