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About Me-

My name is Austin, and I have over 20 years of experience working in the bar and restaurant industry. I was raised on a farm in Streator, Illinois, where I learned the values of sustainability, efficiency, respect for ingredients, and the artistry of handcrafted work. The lessons I gained from working alongside my parents and neighbors are ones I carry with me every day, and I’m grateful for the community that shaped my approach to hospitality.

I began bartending and managing restaurants during my undergraduate years and continued this work as a means to support myself after moving to Southern California for graduate school. Although I completed the coursework and qualifying exams for my PhD, I realized that my true passion lay in the bar and restaurant world. The genuine interactions and tangible impact I was able to make on a daily basis were far more fulfilling than the academic path I had set out on. As a result, I put my dissertation on hold and transitioned to bartending and management full-time.

In 2020, I founded Gentleman and a Baller Enterprises in response to the challenges faced by many restaurants and bars during the COVID-19 pandemic. As businesses sought to reduce costs and navigate an increasingly unpredictable landscape, I saw an opportunity to support my peers. While I was fortunate to be part of a resilient bar community that shared resources and advice, I noticed that many owners and operators struggled to realize their full potential in the hospitality industry.

Ideally, consultants like myself wouldn't be needed, and everyone would be able to thrive in their work, surrounded by the people they enjoy serving and working with. However, the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown us that we can always learn from one another, and sometimes external guidance is invaluable.

I’m here to help.

The Right Spirits for Every Occasion

What is your dream? Is it a perfect day? A stellar season? A lasting legacy?

"The Right Spirits for Every Occasion" is more than just a cute phrase, it's an overarching philosophy to cocktail culture. There are thousands of great products on the market, and millions of venues and styles of decor. But what do you want? What sort of day, or week, or bar, are you looking to create? Cocktail philosophy is about more than brand recognition and putting out "good" alcohol for your guests - it's about creating a moment in time and space that sends a message, creates a feeling, and wraps a place and date in a memory that hangs together with no jagged edges.

There's nothing wrong with doing tequila shots at a baby shower, or drinking sparkling non-alcoholic fruit drinks at a bachelor party. Each venue, each host, and each service is different in its own way. We do more than create menus and look at costs - we create memories. By putting together a menu or an event attuned to your needs, within your budget, and with everyone's safety in mind, Gentleman and a Baller Enterprises is here to help you express yourself creatively in an efficient and sensible way.

Whether it's speakeasy scaffas or beers on the beach, molecular mixography or roadhouse shooters, my focus is on helping you share your vision with your guests in the most reasonable and sustainable way. The budget, the staff, the menu, the ingredients...I'm here to help with every aspect of your vision. My goal is to always present the best possible experience in the most responsible way, and to ensure that everyone (including you) walks away from your venue satisfied.

"...there's no wrong way to have a good time."

Although there's no wrong way to have a good time, there are plenty of ways to have a really bad time. Let experience help ensure that everyone involved has the best time possible.

Make it your bar...

What does your perfect bar look like? Is it wood and stained glass or chrome and leather? High-top tables or cozy booths? Loud music or murmured conversations?

No matter what your answer is, we can help you realize your dream bar. We've helped design and rework bars for over 10 years, and whether you're looking to open up a brand new concept or make some tweaks to a well-established location, we can help you every step of the way. From the people in the seats to the bottles on the shelves, our attention to detail will make sure that everyone who walks in your door will walk out already planning their next trip back.

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