Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Muir.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hospitality has always been a part of my DNA—from the early age of seven, I would help out at my grandma’s Mexican restaurant, greeting and seating guests as they walked in. I worked in restaurants throughout college, with gigs at Momofuku Ssam Bar and Mission Chinese Food in New York City. During this time, I became very interested in the world of wine and was so fortunate to study under some of the industry’s top wine professionals.
When I moved to Austin, I started working at June’s All Day with the hopes of getting to learn about wine from female Master Sommelier, June Rodil. It was here that I originally had the idea for Bonita Bachelorettes—we had so many bachelorette groups coming into the restaurant and I always tried to make their experiences as special as possible. It seemed to me that many of these groups were wandering down South Congress without a plan in place, hoping they would stumble upon somewhere that could accommodate them. I knew I could help them do it better.
For the next five years, I put the bachelorette party idea on the back-burner and continued to pursue a path in wine. I became a Certified Sommelier, I managed beverages programs for Elizabeth Street Café and Clark’s Oyster Bar, and also worked in wine distribution, selling natural wines to restaurants and shops across town. Throughout my different roles, I continued to notice opportunities for bachelorette groups that weren’t being met. I decided it was time to do something about it—I finally took the leap and founded my company, Bonita Bachelorettes.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The pandemic has been so challenging for the hospitality industry and wine world in particular. From supply chain issues to tariffs to restaurant shutdowns, it’s difficult to make long-term plans when you can’t predict what the next month is going to look like. This is part of what inspired me to shift in a new direction—after a lengthy pause in large-scale events, the wedding industry is back and booming.
While entrepreneurship has its own set of challenges, I’ve been grateful to be able to tap into Austin’s creative community to help when I hit a roadblock or am uncertain about a path forward. I know I won’t be immune from dealing with COVID uncertainty when it comes to planning travel for large groups during this time, but I’m doing my best to put systems in place that will protect the business in advance.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Bonita Bachelorettes is an Austin-based party planning service for brides who want more than just another boozy weekend. I’m on a mission to redefine the “bachelorette party” and offer more holistic experiences that aren’t totally centered around drinking. My goal is to curate weekends worth remembering through customized itineraries that feature sultry and exciting activities, like private yoga classes, lingerie shopping, and dinner reservations at hidden gems.
Bonita was born out of a love for love—and celebrating that love in style. We design and deliver bachelorette fiestas from start to finish, which means all-inclusive weekends, fully defined itineraries, food and drink pairings, and more. We also offer à la carte services such as decor set up, personalized gift bags, pop-up natural wine bars, and grocery shopping. Bonita works with every bride and maid of honor to fully customize each itinerary and set the tone for an unforgettable weekend.
Apart from the detail that goes into crafting each experience, I think what truly makes Bonita stand out among the competition is our collaboration with other local businesses to showcase the best of what Austin has to offer. We are partnering with many businesses owned by women and minorities, like Tiny Grocer, Kinship Milk Tea, Stay While Coffee, Cultured ATX, and Bento Picnic to name a few. As a Latina, it’s a top value of mine to help amplify the voices of my own community.
Any big plans?
Currently, my top priority is making the experiences in Austin amazing. I would love to eventually expand Bonita to offer bachelorette party planning services in other favorite cities across the country!
Contact Info:
- Email: ashley@bonitabachelorettes.com
- Website: bonitabachelorettes.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/bonitabachelorettes
Image Credits
Nicole Slevin
