Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Bunch.
Hi Ariel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The idea for Tini Baby really started back in 2021, long before I ever planned to turn it into a business. My best friend and neighbor, Heather, and I both love dirty martinis — and we take them very seriously. We’ve spent way too much time debating the perfect olive-brine ratio and how cold the glass should be.
That same year, we started doing “martini crawls” around Nashville — picking a neighborhood, visiting a few bars, and rating each martini on taste, presentation, and atmosphere. I even made scorecards so we could rank them. It became our thing.
By summer 2024, I’d been working in corporate sales for about six years, and I started feeling ready for something new — something that felt more creative and personal. I’ve always had that entrepreneurial itch, and one day it just clicked that I didn’t need to wait for the perfect moment to start. I decided to take the leap and build something of my own.
I launched my first official Tini Baby event in February 2025, and I haven’t stopped since. Every event feels special — people connect with the look, the details, and the experience. That feedback means so much to me because this really is my passion project come to life.
For me, Tini Baby is about celebrating joy and connection. It’s lighthearted and fun, but also a reminder that small moments can feel special when they’re done with care — and ideally, with a really good martini.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road — but I don’t think it’s supposed to be.
Tini Baby has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, but also one of the hardest. This is a completely new industry for me, so I’ve truly been learning as I go. I’m not a trained bartender or mixologist, so I’ve had to teach myself everything from batching large-format cocktails to building a mobile bar setup that actually works. (For example, I now know that cucumber juice turns brown after one day…a lesson I learned the hard way.)
I’m also a one-woman show. I handle everything from branding and design to logistics, accounting, and bartending the events myself. It’s a lot of hats to wear, and it can definitely get overwhelming at times. But it’s also pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve had to figure things out on my own, trust my instincts, and learn to take setbacks in stride.
There have been moments of stress and exhaustion, but I wouldn’t trade them. Every challenge has made me stronger and more confident as a business owner. It’s taught me that anything worth doing isn’t going to come easy and that’s okay. The process itself has been the best part.
As you know, we’re big fans of Tini Baby. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Tini Baby is my version of what I think a martini experience should be… fun, stylish, and full of personality. It’s a full-service mobile martini bar based in Nashville and I also host private martini-making classes for groups who want to do something a little different than going out to a bar to have drinks. I work with everyone from bachelorette parties to corporate teams to people who just want a memorable night in with friends.
There are really two sides to what I do. On one side, Tini Baby brings a luxury martini bar directly to your event — complete with chilled glassware, custom menus, and drinks designed specifically for your celebration. On the other, I host interactive cocktail classes where guests can sip, learn, and laugh together while exploring the art (and a little history) of the martini.
What sets Tini Baby apart is the attention to detail and the heart behind it. My branding is unapologetically feminine — pink, playful, and meant to celebrate the joy of being a woman. I haven’t seen many mobile bars lean into that energy and I wanted to create something that felt stylish but still warm and approachable. Every event is customized. I design new cocktails, names, and menus to match each client’s theme. Even my menu board is personalized with custom graphic design, which makes each event feel one-of-a-kind.
I also use real glassware — mini martini glasses that I chill instantly with a glass chiller. It’s definitely more work than using plastic cups, but I think it’s worth it. Guests always notice the difference, and to me, it’s those small details that make something truly special.
From our pink jumpsuits to the signature glassware, every piece of Tini Baby was designed with intention. It’s not just about cocktails; it’s about creating a moment. I want people to leave feeling like they did something special — not just went to a bar, but really experienced something together.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is connection. That’s really the heartbeat of everything I do. With Tini Baby, I just want people to walk away feeling like they had a great time and that they were part of something special.
I care a lot about the customer experience. I think drinks can really elevate an event — they bring people together, spark conversation, and set the tone for the night. It’s not just about the cocktails themselves, it’s about creating a moment that people remember.
And I guess that kind of ties into what matters to me personally too — living life well, being present, and finding joy in small things. I want to pour light and love into what I do and hopefully make the world just a little bit better—one martini at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nashvilletinibaby.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashvilletinibaby/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nashvilletinibaby?lang=en
