A few weeks ago, at the Starlight Motel in North Charleston, I had the opportunity to partake in what will surely be the first of many Martini Streami pop-up events hosted by Caroline Woodruff of Dose The Party Stream and Megan Deschaine of Better Pour Cocktails. 

 

 Starlight set the perfect sultry scene for the Valentines Day event aptly named Martinis and Weenies. Dose was set up outside transforming the motel parking lot into a funky hangout that showcased vintage lingerie, a raw bar by Shucktown Oyster Boys, and V-day flashtats by Aimee. Inside the sultry lounge, Better Pour martinis flowed from the downstairs bar while trays of hot dogs passed through the crowd. The moment the event began, the front door gave way to couples and singles alike, eager for some heart-shaped fun. 

 

Guests entered to subtle notes of spice and redwood, hinting at the warm vibes awaiting them in the lounge. Wood paneling and dimly lit sconces -seemingly originals- set the perfect old school tone, encouraging attendees to slow down and stay for a drink(or five). Megan’s martinis likely persuaded people towards the latter considering she had a double line in front of her bar all night long. Despite the pressure to perform, Megan didn’t miss a beat, effortlessly handling the delicate balance between bartender and entertainer. You could catch her witty banter ricocheting off the sloshing of a cold shaker between 60’s pop songs.

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I sat down with the hostesses themselves to chat about their budding businesses and newfound partnership. What I discovered was an exciting story of friendship and support that transcended their current endeavors. 

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The choice to host their first pop-up at Starlight was obvious according to Megan who met Starlight general manager Hank while she was bartending a New Year’s Eve party. “We became fast friends and it was very organic,” she explained with a smile. She toured the motel soon after and immediately began envisioning ways to uplift the space. With the help of her fellow business owner, Caroline, the idea for Martinis and Weenies was born. Though the event was concocted rather quickly, the duo had been building their partnership atop the foundation of friendship for some time. 

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“I've known Megan almost as long as I've lived here. [We] met over mutual bartending friends.” Caroline explained, “I remember we were at this event and we were just laughing our asses off, and I was like ‘I hope I see her again.’ ” 

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Megan chimed in, “Well my side of it was like that girl is so cool! Her hair is so cool, outfits are so cool,  I hope she thinks I'm cool one day!  I'm gonna stand beside her at things and hopefully I'll wear her down-- and then I did!”.

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Their mutual admiration was palpable as they reminisced over the formation of what is now a decade-long friendship. However, it wasn’t until recently that they decided to turn that friendship into a business partnership. After creating an iconic cocktail for the Downtown Charleston Bar 492, Megan began to receive an influx of new opportunities. 

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“The community of women in the city is so tiny and so then it became this thing where like I kept peppering things out to the girls,” she shared. At that time her and Caroline’s paths remained parallel but separate. 

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“She says no a lot,” Megan teased. 

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“Yeah, but only in the name of  friendship,” Caroline joked back with a smile.

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“I guess the Martini Streami then became a thing when  we were like, ‘What are the ways to collaborate better?’ ” noted Megan. 

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“Yeah, we were like, hey we can do bigger events together.” Caroline added. 

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“Caroline has incredible taste. She has so many talents and one of them is buying used stuff and redoing it well. [Caroline] is a very thrifty designer, but it’s also functional. [With Dose] there's just so much intention behind it, and I really think it should be booked every weekend. It needs the exposure!  All it needs is for people to see it and be like ohh I need that shit!” Megan mentioned enthusiastically. 

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Intentionality is a foundation of both of these women’s business models. At the Martinis and Weenies event, fresh rose petals scattered across tables and flickering tea candles showcased their thoughtful touch. Just outside of Dose, Caroline set up a secondary lounge area with 70’s style chairs and a faux grass rug that perfectly matched her indoor color scheme despite being almost entirely thrifted. With their extensive knowledge of the food and beverage industry and a keen eye for detail, these two have curated an entirely unique experience. On top of that, their commitment to the Charleston creative community shines through every event they put on. 

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“The other reason why collaborating with Caroline is so good is because it just is an extra expert at the table and her connection to this community of people that I'm not tapped into like artists and musicians. I'm really loving  the trajectory and all of the potential to tap into communities and elevate these different voices that might not get platforms.” Megan prided over her partnership with Caroline.

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 Their dedication to interpersonal relationships will undoubtedly provide the support they need to continue thriving. It’s clear this duo is on an inspiring path exhibiting all of the markers of great entrepreneurs. However, starting and maintaining a business is never without its challenges.  When asked about the hardest part of their journey, both women shared similar perspectives.

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 “These days to run your business effectively you have to be a wiz at graphic design and social media and website design and also taxes and finances and organization and also liability laws,” Megan stated with exasperation, “We deserve to have the same opportunities that these other larger businesses with bigger budgets and an entire arsenal of staff have.” 

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Caroline echoed that sentiment toward the administrative part of the work, adding, “I’d rather build another airstream tomorrow.” 

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Despite the roadblocks, these two remain unwavering in the face of hard work.

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“I'm focused on what I'm doing and how I can do it better and acknowledging that I can only really control those things within my sphere and it doesn't really matter what else is happening out there.” Megan stated confidently.

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 “With Dose in its own situation I'm trying to show people that I'm the only one that's doing something like this you know? Selling an idea of this is kind of a struggle for me so I'm trying to put myself out on socials much stronger than ever before.” Caroline added, highlighting how she withstands the challenges that come with marketing something entirely new to the scene. 

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Their solution oriented mindset is sure to propel their operation to new heights. 

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Starting a business with a friend can be tricky, but these two seemed to have found the secret sauce. “There's always jokes, you know? We just stay laughing.  Neither of us are perfect and we both need to calm down and take a breath quite often.” Caroline advised on how to navigate a dual business and personal relationship. 

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There’s no doubt these two are creating a buzz that is sure to reverberate throughout the Charleston community and further. By combining an incredible friendship with the strong local support they’ve earned, it is obvious we are witnessing the inception of something truly special. 

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Keep an eye out for this duo around Charleston’s event scene. If you’d like to get in touch, you can find their socials and contact information below. 

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Instagram: @meganmakesdrinks ; @thebetterpour ; @sheshakesandstirs ; @dosethepartystream 

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Email: meganmakesdrinks@gmail.com; dosethepartystream@gmail.com