Today we’d like to introduce you to Damean & Kira Lyon.
Hi Damean & Kira, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The Willow started as a passion project between the two of us, blending a love for craft cocktails/mocktails, thoughtful design, and bringing people together. With Kira’s background in curated salon experiences and Damean’s work in media and entertainment, our combined skill sets naturally led to building an experience-focused bar that felt intentional and elevated.
After years of hosting gatherings and experimenting with drink menus, we built The Willow as a fully mobile bar to meet people where clients want to celebrate—from backyard weddings to mountain venues and corporate events. Alongside craft cocktails, The Willow brings a passion for health, wellness, and a holistic approach, offering thoughtfully made options that feel as good as they taste. Today, the focus remains on high-quality ingredients, customization, and genuine hospitality.
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?
For the most part, it’s been smooth—at least compared to what we understand about how challenging starting a business can be. We moved quickly, building the bar and becoming fully insured, licensed, and operational within our first month. One of our biggest early challenges was learning how to market ourselves. Neither of us had experience on the marketing side of our previous careers, so figuring out what works (and what doesn’t) has definitely been an adventure.
Another challenge is that we genuinely love what we do, which can make it hard to slow down or step away. We’re also incredibly excited about growing and expanding what we offer our clients, and learning to pace that growth—rather than trying to do everything at once—has been an important lesson along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The Willow is a boutique mobile bar experience rooted in connection, beauty, and intention. We don’t just pour drinks—we curate moments. From epic house parties to clean, professional product launches, as well as weddings and private celebrations, we create bar experiences that feel elevated, personal, and deeply welcoming.
We’re known for our attention to detail, from custom cocktail and mocktail menus to seasonal, handcrafted ingredients and a bar aesthetic that blends natural elements with modern elegance. Every event is treated as its own story, designed to reflect the people being celebrated rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
What we’re most proud of is the feeling we create. Guests often tell us how amazing our drinks are, but more they tell us how fun we are to have there. Guests very often just hang by the bar to talk and goof around which we think is better feedback than any google review.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
One thing that often surprises people is our personal life. We’re a recently engaged couple with a LARGE blended family—Damean has three boys (19, 15, and 10) and Kira has three girls (13, 11, and 7). We’re often referred to as “the Brady Bunch bartenders,” and honestly, that sense of family shows up in how we run our business.
People are also often surprised by how varied our backgrounds are. Damean is a Marine Corps veteran and works as the Director of VFX at a video game studio, while also teaching part-time at the University of Utah. Kira has had a long and successful career as a hairstylist and is continuing to grow her work in energy work and holistic spiritual healing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://TheWillowSLC.com
- Instagram: @thewillowslc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578093436294
