Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Pretkus.
Hi Marissa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Dane and I were both in the industry. I guess you can say we had a “life-altering” experience. Dane’s appendix ruptured on a graveyard shift, and almost lost his life. From that moment on, he told me he wanted to do something where he could spend more time with me.
We got married after dating for seven years and found our inspiration on the island of Kauai. Shortly after we got back we bought our first Horse Trailer with our business partner Arturo and went to work. Dane spent countless hours creating and designing our first bar Penny. With a few lucky breaks and some incredible relationships, we ended up opening Horse Trailer Hideout in April of 2021.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth?? No. I don’t think any business ever has a smooth direction. That’s what makes great entrepreneurs. Learning how to pivot along the way.
One example I can share, when we opened we had exhausted all of our funds. We had NO furniture in the building. Dane made our table tops out of 50-gallon barrels, and we rented furniture for our grand opening. We MADE it work!
We’ve been impressed with Horse Trailer Hideout, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our business is the first of its kind. We offer country-style comfort, crossed with street chic. The one thing you should know about our bar is don’t expect anything traditional. We use a refabricated Horse Trailer to serve all our classic cocktails. There is local art all over the walls, games in the back, wild events, cornhole out back, panties hanging everywhere, and we can bring the party to you with our mobile services.
We specialize in some amazing specialty cocktails. My personal favorite is our Farmhouse Fashioned. We use our whiskey infusion with orange peel, cherries, cinnamon, apples, a smoked maple syrup, and hit it with a nice smoke of woodchips. You will never taste anything else quite like it.
We are most proud of our cocktails. Hands down some of the best in the city. I would love readers to know not only have we been able to embrace our Vegas culture, but we have been able to produce a warm environment for any customer. Not only are you going to receive excellent customer service, but you are gonna make a memory we are happy to be part of. Don’t forget, we also have a mobile bar service. Take us home with you!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The only advice I can give you is to surround yourself with people you want to be like.
Listen to everything, but make the best decisions for your company off what works best for you. I found that when I went seeking guidance, I was normally received very well.
Pricing:
- $15 Farmhouse Fashioned
Contact Info:
- Website: https://horsetrailerhideout.com
- Instagram: @horsetrailerhideout
- Facebook: @horsetrailerhideout
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/horse-trailer-hideout-las-vegas
Image Credits
Zena Negron, Peter Hernandez, and Dezavi Productions
