Meet Tori Meeker | Event Manager, Bartender and Small business owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tori Meeker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tori, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My full time job has always revolved around providing great experiences- huge festivals, boutique events, or an amazing cocktail. But I loved the idea of creating something for a person in the quiet moments too. When they wear one of my bracelets and glance down at it randomly, I hope that it provides them with a burst of empowerment or encouragement or even a quick laugh to help get them through their day. I love being able to create those pieces and help positively influence their lives, even in a small way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Smart Alice is the third iteration of my small business. I’ve always enjoyed making things and have cycled through many different handmade products, but finally found my favorite while making my hand stamped bracelets. Each letter is stamped with love into the jewelry. I have been able to help people honor lost love ones, commemorate special events, and make people smile. One of the things I love most is that the bracelets are never perfect. Because they are stamped by hand and not mass produced by a machine there are always slight differences, sometimes even minor flaws, which I think gives each piece more character.

The most challenging part for me has been to try and find enough time and honestly, energy, to devote to this small business. I have a full time job bartending, which means I work on nights and weekends. I’ve been signing up for as many craft and vendor shows as I can find, but that means I work at the bar until 2am and then usually have to get up the next morning to set up at a market by 8am. And then back to the bar by 5. It’s a lot sometimes, but I think it is worth it!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Cincinnati is amazing. It has been in this upswing for the last decade or so, with so many new businesses, restaurants and bars opening up.

I would start the trip with an amazing cup of coffee at my local coffee shop, Proudhound. Then it would be off to either the Cincinnati Zoo or one of my favorite museums in the city. After that, it would be lunch in OTR, a walk through Findlay Market, a beer at Rhinegeist, checking out the comic book selection at Cosmic Gorilla, riding the streetcar down to the Banks to catch a Reds game and then finishing up the night singing Karaoke at Tokyo Kitty. Sounds awesome:)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Megs Gelfgot- my biggest cheerleader! Such an inspiration and a great sounding board.

Website: www.smartalicedesigns.com

Instagram: @smart_alice_designs

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriameeker513

Image Credits
Katie Trevino