Helen Lowry, 35, from Childwall, is celebrating a decade of running her own mobile bar business, Opulence Mobile Bar, after a cheeky email to a former vice mayor kickstarted her career in events.
From a Single Email to a Thriving Business
More than 10 years ago, while studying at university, Helen spotted that former Vice Mayor of Liverpool Gary Millar was regularly attending events across the city. She decided to take a chance and sent him an email.
Helen told the ECHO: "I decided to be a bit cheeky and sent him an email. I went in to see him and he introduced me to loads of people in the city. Capital of Culture was going on then, and that's how I got my first job. I was events and hospitality manager for Liverpool Yacht Club."
That opportunity led to involvement in major events across Liverpool, including at St George's Hall, Sefton Park Palm House, and the Liverpool Giants.
Building Opulence Mobile Bar
Helen's business, Opulence Mobile Bar, "brings the bar" to events, offering mobile bar hire for parties, weddings, children's bars, and more. What started small has grown significantly over the years.
Helen said: "It just started small like every other business. It started off as friends-of-friends' parties. You end up doing loads for free, don't you? You're just trying to build a business, and get your name out there really. One of my friends had her wedding, and she wanted a bar. It started from there."
She added: "My mum has always been the family host, and you see how much effort goes into a party, you're just running around the whole time, you're not sitting down with your guests. So I thought, you know what I'm gonna put it out there. I just started up on social media and just put the feelers out. It took a while to grow into what it is now, it's been 10 years. I started off with just one bar and now I have at least 15 bars. It's just all came from that."
Celebrity Clientele and Milestones
Over the years, Helen has worked with numerous celebrities, including Coleen Rooney for her 40th birthday, a Liverpool FC star for his wife's party, Charlotte Dawson, Jennifer Ellison, and even appeared on The Real Housewives of Cheshire twice. Sir Kenny Dalglish and Freddie Flintoff have also been served at her bars.
Helen reflected: "When I look back at myself then, I think I would never, ever expect for it to have blown up this much. I think it's come from such a small idea, and lots of people say to me, 'Helen, you're like the go to in the city'. That just feels amazing for people to say that to me."
She added: "Some people come up to me who I don't even know, and they're like, 'Oh, you're Opulence, you were at my cousin's baby shower' or, 'My friend hired you the other week' and it's just so overwhelming because you think it's only me. You, sort of, think little old me has done this, so I feel quite proud of myself. It's only really when you stop and you reflect and you think wow, I have come quite far really."
