Lauren Daniels
“I definitely knew I wanted to do my own thing.”
Lauren Daniels, wife, mother, entrepreneur, and all around boss babe, grew up knowing she was going to have her own business. She admired movies like Richie Rich which was based upon the richest kid in the world. Starting a latch hook bracelet business, figuring out ways to make money and creating clubs she wanted her friends and family to be a part of was the norm for Daniels.
Born in Missouri but raised in Detroit Daniels attended Cass Technical High School for dance and performing arts. Right after graduation she packed her bags for Miles College, a Historical Black College University (HBCU) in Alabama to study Business and Accounting. Daniels says, “the HBCU culture is so different. It's like the movie Drumline or Stomp The Yard and no one comes from the same background.”
Daniels joined a sorority, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKAs) and quickly became the jungle juice go-to girl. Whenever there was a party, kickback, tailgate in the greek world they would call on Daniels to mix up that special mix that she did so well. After college it continued, her friends would call her and say “I know you're good with drinks. I need a bartender for this and that, can you do it?” It was then she says she realized, “outside of bars, clubs and restaurants when people are gathering, they want the people who can give them that experience like they are at their fave restaurant getting food and drinks.”
Sumptuous Spirits the mobile bartending company launched in May 2016. “I really love a good cocktail. You don't have to have a shot to have a good time, it can be really tasty and flavorful,” She goes on, “I am into the cocktail culture. I like the reaction, it makes me feel good.” Daniels feels good cocktails tie the memory of the night with a nice bow.
While launching her mobile bartending company she was also attending Wayne State's Graduate program full time. She wanted to make sure that she wasn’t the one tending the bar at events. Although she took her own bartending class, she hired a team of expert bartenders so she could hone in on the administrative work. “I say their skills are better than mine, which is great because you want your team to carry out the vision you have for your business”
“As a black woman in business you just wanna make sure everything you are doing is right.”
Over the past 4 years Sumptuous Spirits has worked with Google, WeWork, Bumble, Foot Locker and more. “People stereotype or have an idea of what a black owned business will be. But black people in Detroit do business great. Some of the best businesses I have worked with are owned by people of color,” says Daniels.
Daniels builds and cultivates relationships wherever she goes. Sumptuous Spirits has successfully scaled into the Chicago market. She does this by researching the market while getting to know the city and people by spending time there.
When COVID hit the scene it forced a lot of small businesses to pivot their plans for 2020. For someone like Daniels who was in the business of events and social gatherings, she found herself at a stand still. That was until the same friends who asked her to mix up that special drink for them were now asking her for drinking recipes since they were stuck at home. They would call and say, “I only have Titos, what can I make with this?” After a few days of this they came back to her and said, “if you put a recipe book together people will buy it.” That's exactly what Daniels did. She created her first book titled Girls Guide to Quarantine Cocktails. The original recipe cocktail guide is filled with tips and tricks and sectioned off by things girls like to do like, brunch, binge watching, girls night and more. When she launched the book she thought to herself if ten of her closest friends buy it she will be happy. Daniels sold 100 copies of her book in 2 days.
It's not easy being a full time mom, wife and entrepreneur but Daniels makes it look easy. “I am very type A, no time can be wasted.” Daniels has opened a venue in Chicago called Opulence Gallery an experience based space. The space will have different color, themes, decorations and ambience. The only thing the guests have to do is show up. In the future Daniels will continue to expand Sumptuous Spirits until she franchise it around the United States, she is hosting virtual bartending classes, continuing to host events at the Opulence Gallery, and more. It's clear that this boss babe isn't slowing down her path to Richie Riches anytime soon.
