Today we’d like to introduce you to Hali Sablatura
Hi Hali, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story starts as a college drop out not knowing what to do in life. My sister was working at the only bar in Columbus tx at the time and said we need extra help, she told her boss I was coming in to work. In 2019 that started my bartending career. I instantly fell in love with the service industry. The drinks came natural for me to make so that made it easy. I have always been into crafting and art, as a child painting was my way out of reality. I would lock myself in my room, listen to music and just paint my pain away. With that being said as the years went on I became invested in the cocktails I was serving. How to make them better, what ingredients went properly with the other, I was fascinated in making pretty cocktails that actually taste amazing too. This past year I grew my skills and knowledge (teaching myself) at a new restaurant/bar I began working at. The work I do now is none other art in my mind. Crafting every drink down to a T, I light up when I see people’s faces after taking the first sip and they love it. I’m the bartender for a private lounge in the restaurant so my customers typically drink the same thing every time they come in. Within the past year I have made cocktails based off of there flavor palette trying to get them to branch out on other drinks and spirits. It worked and I feel as if I accomplished a goal.
The other part of my life is fashion, as a small child playing dress up at my grandmas was a must with my sister everyday after school. The patterns, the colors, styling an outfit was another distraction in my life that make me ultimately happy. I would put outfits together in high school weeks in advance for the following weeks. If I had 30$ which would take me forever to collect, I would beg mom to take me shopping to by a new shirt or skirt. Just like making cocktails it was a thrill to have someone say this tastes amazing, I love your outfit. I have been over the moon on helping my sister launch her boutique in our hometown called LOLA&CO. I am the manager/ influencer / media of LOLA and I’m beyond blessed to help my sister bring her fashion dream as well come to life. She’s the brains and I’ll bring the show.
My third and upcoming journey that is a secret but it’s okay if we let the cat out of the bag. I’m starting my own custom denim line called, “Birdies Denim”. As much as I love shopping and helping with the boutique I still didn’t fulfill my fashion calling. I needed to create, I needed to design, it had to be mine. I’m taking vintage pieces and creating new. These denim jackets are spunky and fun, very different! I love to make statements with my outfits and that’s what Birdies Denim is!
I have never considered myself much of anything, especially when people say, “what do you do for work, what’s your job title, career?”
I honestly feel like I can confidently say, I’m an artist. And that makes me happy. That was my end goal all along.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been smooth. The late nights at the bars, the mean customers that make you go home and cry, living off of someone’s tips isn’t always pleasant. That’s the hard part. The money can be good but it can be very bad as well. Being a single individual living in this economy, I struggle everyday but I also have to live my life as well. I have worked for everything I have and living in a small town people like to degrade others work in return for gossip. Sometimes I’d rather go to the beach than buy groceries. Some may say my priorities are wrong and to that I say yeah, they may be but mental sanity is better haha!
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?
My private bartending is called B A R – by: Hali Sablatura and it has taken off greatly this past year and I hope to only gain more clients! While working my current full time job at Magnolia Society I hope to only grow in my creativity for drinks and continue to wow our customers in my work.
Along side bartending I only hope to continue to grow LOLA&CO with my sister. I know big things are to come with the boutique and who knows what can happen in the future. Only up from here! With that being said I can’t wait for everyone to get a little piece of Birdies Denim here in the next month. I have nervous yet great feelings about what this line can bring to my table.
I’m know for my fabulous and tasty drinks around my town. Also, my outfits. People love to see what I’m going to wear next. My creative side comes out in those two things, and my sass! Haha.
I have never really emotionally been proud of myself for anything throughout the years. I always feel as if I don’t do anything right or I could do better, and I’m working on it. To not be so hard on myself and just create and do what makes me happy. That’s an accomplishment as a whole, being good at what I do. And the ultimate goal which is being happy.
What sets me apart from other I think physically is the fact that I have an autoimmune disorder called vitiligo. I have white spots of no pigment all over my body. If you are wondering, of course it was tough growing up. I wish I had the mindset then as I do know about my skin. I like to say wow my body is a walking piece of art, a master piece shall I say, in a laughing manor to lighten up the mood. Also how I differ from anyone else is my personality, I’m pretty out there but with a heart of gold. I like to think I get that heart of gold from my mom, I would do anything for anyone. Life is to short these days.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Taking a sip of my mom’s miller lite and continuing to drink it! There is that bartender in me! Haha. Also Playing dress up or library at my grandmas house almost everyday after school with my sister and cousin.
Now those are the good ole days.
Pricing:
- Private bartending prices start at 300$ -plus
- Our boutique is a wide range from 8$-80$ nothing higher than that
- Birdies Denim starts from 60$ a jacket -200$ a jacket
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @halisablatura (Personal) @lolacoboutique(store) @birdiesdenim24 (my denim brand)
