My Portfolio

After Brainstorming for 6 months I came up with my idea to convert a horse trailer. I then did some research on what people convert them into. I saw they were selling all sorts out of them like coffee, burgers, pizzas, cakes, ice cream, pastries, meat and alcohol. After seeing all the possibilities I had no idea which one I wanted to choose I knew I couldn't do cakes or ice creams because I would eat them all before I sold them!

Seeing as I didn't have any experience in any of these industries I got a job opportunity at a local cafe which I really enjoyed but unfortunately, they had to shut down due to financial reasons. So I managed to gather some experience in hospitality and a bit of pocket money but I was still unsure if a cafe was what I wanted to do. I then got asked by my cousin if I could help out at a pub as a barman. I was a bit nervous at first as I didn't know anyone except my cousin but I used the confidence I had gained at the cafe and used it at the pub. I got to the stage where all the locals loved seeing me behind the bar and wanted me to serve them, I made lots of new friends. However, I was still working my 9-5 and it exhausted me due to not having much time to myself and seeing friends and family.

That gave me a vision of running my own bar but so I brought myself a horse trailer with the plan to covert it. I knew it would need a lot of work so I made a start straight away by stripping it all down. Then I noticed that a lot of the frame would need replacing as it had rotted away so I would have to weld some new pieces on. As I had never welded before I asked my dad to show me how to do it so he showed me one and I tried it, it looked awful but I grinded it off and tried again and it looked a bit better but I still wasn't happy, after practising a bit I did the last weld on the trailer and it looked like a professional had done it!

After finishing work in the week I started to research what licencing I need and how other people had converted their horse boxes into a bar. I found out what licences I need and made that the aim in the evenings to acquire them. I passed my test and then had to fill in loads of paperwork but I did and sent it off. As I was looking at other people I was seeing the disadvantages of some but the advantages of others so I had a plan to make mine the best.

Every weekday I was progressing on my project and every weekend I was gaining experience by working I was asking lots of questions. All the time I had I was working either at my main job, at the pub or working on my trailer. I decided I had gained enough confidence and experience at the pub I could leave so I could use the time to start marketing.

I then left my pub job with the intention of putting all my time into my project however I went into the post office one day and was speaking about it and I somehow got another bartending job but this one was better pay and closer more manageable time so I couldn’t say no.

After spending lots of more time in the rain and wind working I finally got it to a stage I could hand it to my mate to paint it for me and I had planned a week of work for when it would return. While it was being painted I spend lots of time planning and buying everything I would need to go inside!
When it returned I worked super hard on it Monday and Tuesday, getting the floor and walls in but on Wednesday when I woke up and it was snowing after spending an hour outside I realised it wasn't going to stop as there was about half an inch on the floor already and the plywood was starting to absorb the water. As much as I didn't want to I unfortunately had to leave it and watch the snow fall.

Hoping that Thursday it would have stopped snowing I woke up and there were about 5 or 6 inches outside, instead of getting annoyed with it I just tried to enjoy the snow with friends and family.

After 7 months of working every weekend on it and as many evenings I could on it I finally put all the spirits and till inside and set everything up! Honestly, I couldn't be prouder it was one of those moments I just stood back and smiled thinking all the hard work I have done had finally paid off and I can finally see what I saw when I was scrolling through the internet at other people's horse boxes.

Obvesily the first thing I did was show my family, neighbours and friends what I have achieved, I loved seeing everyone's faces cause they looked so surprised and they all gave me amazing feedback and congratulations.

So at the minute, I am just trying to get my name out there and get some bookings so I can achieve my dream!