Shark Tank, Bachelorette Parties and the Man Who Built a Business on Good Vibes

Shark Tank, Bachelorette Parties and the Man Who Built a Business on Good Vibes

Episode Summary

This week Julie and Jamie welcome Nelson Brooks, founder of Cabana Boy Events, to the Florida Living Life podcast. Nelson turned a chance invite to a bachelorette party in July 2020 into a company that has now thrown over 8,000 parties across the country, landed a deal with Kendra Scott on Shark Tank, and is now bringing the experience to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

From pool parties to corporate happy hours to divorce parties, if there is a reason to celebrate in South Florida, Nelson and his crew are ready to show up.

🎉 Meet Nelson BrooksFounder of Cabana Boy Events. Started the company unemployed and single after attending a bachelorette party and spotting a gap in the market. Bought the domain the next morning on GoDaddy and the rest is history. Eight thousand parties later and growing.

🦈 The Shark Tank StoryNelson applied online in fall of 2024, waited months for a callback, and then spent four months deep in preparation. The biggest takeaway: Shark Tank is a TV show first. They want a deal but they want great television more. Kendra Scott ended up being the one who made the deal, partly because she had already experienced Cabana Boys firsthand at her own birthday party without realizing it.

🍹 What Cabana Boy Events DoesTwo brands under one roof built for different occasions:

Cabana Boys — The energy brand. Perfect for bachelorette parties, girls weekends, pool parties, divorce parties, book clubs, and women's luncheons. Best for groups of ten to twenty five people. They serve, pamper, and entertain. Spotify DJs included. Not what you think — tasteful, fun, and fully professional.

Cocktail Crew — The bartending brand for weddings, birthdays, corporate happy hours, retirement parties, Super Bowl parties, and grad events. Male and female bartenders. Handles groups up to one hundred and fifty people. They also do mocktails for wellness focused or underage events.

Both brands help with setup and cleanup. Music is the number one ingredient for a great party according to Nelson. The playlist sets everything.

📍 South Florida Pricing

Cabana Boys in Miami and South Florida: $250 per hour for two cabana boys with a two hour minimum. Cocktail Crew: $80 per hour per bartender. Travel and holiday surcharges may apply.