Jess Blakley & Willow Sprague

Shaken and served. 🍸 Ok, so that’s not how the saying goes, but besties-turned-business partners Jess Blakley (she/her) and Willow Sprague (she/her) are gonna show us how to do just that for our very own cocktail class. Before they were the co-founders of BarBees—a bartending brand that offers IRL or online mobile cocktail classes—the duo met through mutual connections at college who insisted they’d be a match made in friend heaven: “During our second year of undergrad, we had people all over campus asking us how it was possible that we didn’t know each other yet. So, when a group dinner was finally planned, we knew they were all right! We instantly clicked and immediately started doing everyday life together.”

Below, the two share how exactly BarBees was born, what the aftermath of being on Shark Tank was like for their biz, and their tips for throwing a summer soirée. (Plus, their go-to cocktail!)

Tell us about BarBees! How did it come to be?
In our first year of best friendship, we decided to attend bartending school on a total whim. We wanted to learn a new skill and shake things up a bit. While there, we recognized the need for reputable and personable mobile bartending in the event-heavy city of Nashville. While coming home from bartending school one evening, we landed on the name “BarBees” together and officially launched in 2019. What started as a mobile bartending company pivoted into offering virtual cocktail classes through the pandemic. We found that the class model created so much more connection and conversation compared to slinging drinks behind a bar. This scratched the itch of our original mission for BarBees—to build connection and community through cocktails.

What was it like being on Shark Tank? Is it as nerve-wracking as it seems?
Prepping for and walking into the Tank is even more nerve-wracking than you can even imagine! We like to call it the “Olympics of Entrepreneurship” because of how high the pressure is. You’re not only pitching to a panel of brilliant business builders who are prepared to challenge you in every possible way, you’re doing it on national television. But, once we were in there, we really got into a groove and (truly!) had the best time. It stretched us like nothing else in this world and made us better and more confident business owners and communicators. We also just had a great time meeting and chatting with the Sharks, including negotiating a deal with guest Shark Daniel Lubetzky.

How did being on the show affect your business?
Since airing on Shark Tank, we’ve had over 40k people engage with us on our site and socials, which is over a 220% increase from this time last year! Shark Tank is largely responsible for the increase, and the HoneyBook sales funnel has helped us turn a record number of inquiries into new business over the last three months. We are so grateful for the experience and the exposure, and we know that it shaped us for the rest of our lives.

How exciting! Now, what’s the best way to throw our own cocktail class at home?
When you hire BarBees, we come prepared with everything you need to make two or three delicious cocktails. The only things you have to provide are the liquor and the ice. However, here are some little extras that you can bring to the party to create the most celebratory and fun environment possible:

1. Choose at least one cocktail that can be made with a variety of liquors. This way, you please all flavor preferences in your group. One of our personal favorites on the menu is our Cucumber Lime Bite which is delicious with any clear liquor—from tequila to gin to vodka to rum, each is going to give you a completely different experience in this cocktail.

2. Set the mood with music. We tell all of our instructors that if the groups they’re with don’t already have a speaker and a playlist, they should encourage them to set one up. It’s always extra entertaining when you have something to bop to!

3. Have something to snack on. We offer a cheese pairing for a variety of our classes, but we encourage you to have your own snacks, too. Besides the fact that it’s wise to snack while drinking, it really just makes the whole experience more fun.

Last but not least: We’d love to know your guys’ fave cocktail recipe!
We are both massive Aperol Spritz fans because 1) it’s quick and easy and 2) who doesn’t want to feel like they’re sitting in an Italian plaza every time they drink? It’s for sure our go-to order and a make-at-home-for-friends kinda bev. We like to put a little spin on it, though. Introducing: our Pomegranate Aperol Spritz.