Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylia Wartchow
Kaylia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Like many high school students, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do with my life. My family didn’t have the financial means to send me to college, and honestly, I wasn’t sure if college was even the right path for me. That’s when I discovered a program that would allow me to attend cosmetology school while still in high school—and the best part? It would be free. This opportunity sparked a new direction for me.
During my junior year, I took on double the classes and even attended summer school to make sure I could fit in hair school during my senior year. It was intense, but I was determined. Senior year came, and I dove into the world of cosmetology, eventually earning my license before I even graduated high school. But then, the pandemic hit, and I realized that a career in the service industry might not be as stable as I once thought.
While in hair school, I discovered a passion for business. I started asking my instructors about the business side of the hair industry, but many of them didn’t have the answers. They encouraged me to pursue business school if I wanted to dive deeper into those topics, and that’s exactly what I decided to do.
Two days after graduating from hair school, I enrolled in the BYU business school. Now, I’m in my final semester of the Entrepreneurial Management program at the Marriott School of Business. Along the way, I started a business called SoberSipz, a mobile non-alcoholic bar, combining my love for business and my desire to create a positive impact.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When COVID hit, I found myself without a job and struggling to make ends meet. Rather than giving up, I decided to improvise and go to college. The transition from hair school to a full-time college student was a huge adjustment, and after just one semester, I found myself on the phone with my dad, ready to quit. His words of encouragement pushed me to keep going, reminding me that I was capable of more than I thought. So, I stuck with it—and now, I’m graduating with a business degree, reflecting on how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe how much I’ve accomplished. Not only did I finish my degree, but I also built and ran a successful business, SoberSipz, all while navigating some of life’s toughest challenges. Through it all, I’ve learned the value of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of taking risks when the opportunity arises.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Turning Tragedy into Triumph: My Journey to Creating a Non-Alcoholic Mobile Bar
The idea of a bar without alcohol may seem unconventional to some, but for me, it’s a mission that was born from a deeply personal experience. When my mom was just 20 years old, she nearly lost her life to alcohol poisoning. Thankfully, she survived, and this wake-up call sparked a powerful transformation in her life. She made the decision to turn things around, and from that moment, I grew up understanding that alcohol doesn’t have to be part of life’s celebrations.
Inspired by my mom’s journey, I knew I wanted to make sure I never faced the same fate. I also wanted to do everything in my power to help others avoid it. That’s when I decided to start my mobile non-alcoholic bar. My goal was clear: to create a space where sobriety isn’t just accepted but celebrated. I wanted to make sober living not only possible but cool.
Today, my bar caters to parties and events, offering a vibrant, alcohol-free alternative that allows people to have fun without the pressure of drinking. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how many people embrace this new way of celebrating. Through my business, I’m working to make a cultural shift—showing that you can have an unforgettable time without the need for alcohol. What began as a deeply personal mission has grown into something much bigger: a movement that encourages healthier, more mindful choices in social settings.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The road hasn’t always been easy, but it’s undoubtedly been rewarding. A year ago, I took a leap of faith and made a bold presentation to my dad, convincing him to fund what seemed like a risky idea: a mocktail bar. Fast forward to today, and I’m a successful business owner who has just sold her business. Over the course of this journey, I’ve been fortunate to hear from hundreds—if not thousands—of people who’ve shared how alcohol has negatively impacted their lives. Many have expressed gratitude for what I’m doing, and their stories have only deepened my commitment to this mission. It’s humbling to know that, in some small way, I’ve been part of a positive change by providing an alternative to alcohol.
Of course, the journey has come with its setbacks. At one point, I decided to sell the business due to personal and time constraints. But after facing unexpected financial complications with the buyer, I ended up repossessing the business. For a while, I was uncertain about the next step, especially since my husband’s medical school journey was taking us to a new city in just a year. After much thought, we decided to sell the business again, and more recently, I passed it on to someone local who has the ability and vision to grow it even further.
Though it’s bittersweet to let go of something so close to my heart, I’m proud of the risks I’ve taken along the way. I’m confident that the business is now in the hands of someone who will continue to make a difference and take it to new heights.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SoberSipz.net
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/KayliaWartchow
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/KayliaWartchow
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylialundgren
