Caryl Mathias Fuqua
Caryl Mathias is an Event Beverage Specialist and owner of Caryl’s Mobile Bar, bringing 10–11 years of experience in the bartending and hospitality industry and approaching three years of successfully operating her mobile bar business. Her passion for hospitality began at a young age, inspired by early experiences in restaurants where she was drawn to the energy of service, guest interaction, and the art of creating welcoming experiences. She progressed from hosting and serving into bartending because she enjoyed connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, learning their stories, and blending creativity with service through craft cocktails and personalized drink recommendations.
Through Caryl’s Mobile Bar, she manages both operations and client experience, serving as the primary point of contact for new inquiries while maintaining strong relationships with venues and vendors across the San Francisco Bay Area. Her service region includes the Bay Area, North Bay including Napa County, Sacramento expansion areas, and as far south as Monterey. She specializes in designing custom and seasonal beverage menus that mirror restaurant-quality craft cocktail experiences, helping clients bring elevated yet fun beverage options to corporate events, weddings, and private celebrations. Her team of licensed, insured, RBS-certified bartenders focuses on professionalism, guest engagement, and efficient service flow while maintaining a lively and celebratory atmosphere.
Outside of her professional work, Caryl is passionate about family life and creativity. She enjoys being a mom and a dog mom, and in her personal time she explores creative expression through mixed media art projects. She is especially passionate about being part of her clients’ milestone moments, particularly weddings, where she understands the emotional and financial investment people make in creating memorable celebrations. She founded her business to combine her love of people, creativity, and hospitality into a service that enhances special occasions. Today, she continues to build Caryl’s Mobile Bar around the principles of quality craftsmanship, operational excellence, and memorable guest experiences, ensuring every event feels seamless, enjoyable, and truly celebratory for hosts and guests alike.
• RBS licensing through ABC
• Food handler certificate(s)
• De Anza College - ABA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to consistency and perseverance. I focus on showing up every day, maintaining steady outreach, and staying committed to building relationships within my industry. I understand that success comes with hearing many “no’s,” but I treat each one as part of the process rather than a setback. By continuing to put in the work, refining my craft, and remaining dedicated to delivering high-quality service, I have been able to grow both professionally and within my business.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You have to show up every single day, and you have to be ready for the fact that it's a slow race, it's a long run. You're not going to be waking up the next day and having bookings throughout the whole year - the odds of that are very slim. So you really need to make sure that you have a goal in mind and just show up for that goal every single day, because there's something that you can do in the footwork, and any single conversation is always helpful. You have to be comfortable with the no's, that's for sure.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is building brand awareness and maintaining a consistent pipeline of bookings, which requires ongoing outreach, relationship building, and strong marketing presence. The mobile hospitality industry is competitive, so standing out requires not only high-quality service but also strong communication, professionalism, and visibility within the communities and venues we serve. At the same time, there are significant opportunities for growth, particularly through geographic expansion into new service areas and by continuing to build and develop a talented team that can deliver the same level of consistent, memorable, and high-quality guest experiences that define my brand.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are consistency, collaboration, and empowerment, particularly supporting and uplifting women in professional spaces. I believe professionalism should always be paired with a positive, fun, and welcoming service experience that allows guests and clients to feel comfortable and celebrated. At the same time, I place a strong emphasis on family and motherhood, prioritizing time with my family while maintaining balance and showing that it is possible to build a successful career while honoring personal responsibilities and relationships that matter most to me.
Locations
Caryl’s Mobile Bar
Mountain View, CA 94043