Meet Charissa Vallesteros, Owner of Char’s Bar
Introduce yourself with your degree information, and tell us your current job.
Hi, I’m Charissa Vallesteros, I graduated from UH in 2020 with a BA in psychology. I am currently an entrepreneur and owner of Char’s Bar, a mobile bartending business here on O‘ahu that services a variety of events.
What goes into creating custom signature drinks for every event?
I usually do an in depth discussion with clients, so we go back and forth trying to get a gist of their favorite profile, liquor preferences, and the vibe they are going for. I will go off the theme of the client, so for example if it’s a nurse grad party, we usually do cocktails that incorporate nursing things like syringes or the cocktail menu is themed as nursing.
What led to the creation of Char’s bar?
I had been working in the restaurant/bar industry for a really long time, and one day I just thought I don’t want to be a bartender in the restaurant industry for much longer so I went back to school during COVID-19. Then, I got bored and decided to start my own mobile bartending business. We started off doing house parties and then it just grew.
What is your favorite memory/experience from your time at UH?
I used to be on the UH dance team, so the football games I really loved and the comradery was fun. I really enjoyed being around individuals on campus and it was fun to watch people from different parts of the world come together at UH and have a good time.
What advice would you give to recently graduated students who are looking to pursue a career in a field that isn’t directly related to their degree?
My biggest thing is to trust your gut and take the chance. Now that I’m a little older, I’ve realized that I’ll never have everything figured out but go through the motions, trust your gut, and pursue something you can see yourself doing for a really long time despite the degree you have.
As an alum, why is it important to stay connected to the university and the alumni community?
Especially in this day and age it’s a really good way to network, get to know your peers, and put your foot in doors that other people have gone through already. Being an entrepreneur, staying connected to people you look up to and those who can be a helping hand, especially somebody that is a UH alumni, is very important. Since COVID-19, it’s been about connecting, talking, and getting to know people. Staying connected to UH alumni will really help people and aid individuals hoping to take the next step in their career.
What are you most excited about for this year’s Makers’ Market?
I like seeing where everyone has gone in the last couple years. Truth be told, it’s really hard to make it out here on this island, so it’s really nice to see people who have taken what they learned, incorporated their own style, and ventured it off into the island and community.
What do you want to see for the future of UH?
I want to see a lot more community stuff, a lot more presence. I am a community girl, so I like seeing things that involve a lot of individuals coming together to support one another or just be a safe space for people to gather. I think UH could be a really good place for people to showcase school spirit and camaraderie.