Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Scheller.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve spent the last 15 years in hospitality, but my journey started in the kitchen. I cooked professionally for seven years, working my way from the line to sous chef. Along the way, I had the opportunity to stage at one of Nashville’s most respected restaurants. At the end of the stage, I was offered a position, but I turned it down. That experience wasn’t about getting the job—it was about proving something to myself. After years in the kitchen, I realized I was burned out and needed a new challenge.
That challenge became bartending.
Over the last eight years, I’ve been fortunate enough to work behind some of Nashville’s best bars, learning from incredibly talented people and competing in cocktail competitions along the way. Bartending gave me the creative outlet I had been missing. I fell in love with the craft, the stories behind the spirits, and the connections you make with guests over a great drink.
The biggest turning point in my life came after losing my father. It forced me to take a hard look at what I wanted my own life to be. I realized I had spent years helping build other people’s dreams, and it was time to start building my own.
That realization led me to create Scheller’s Cellar—a company focused on craft cocktails, private events, education, and creating memorable experiences. What started as a passion has become a business that reflects everything I’ve learned throughout my career. Today, my goal isn’t just to make great cocktails; it’s to create experiences that people remember long after the last drink is poured.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped who I am today.
One of the earliest hurdles came when my dad became disabled. I had to grow up much faster than I expected and learn what responsibility really meant. It changed my perspective on work, family, and what it means to show up for the people you love.
Not long after, I took a leap of faith and moved to Nashville to pursue a career in hospitality. Just as I was finding my footing, COVID brought the restaurant industry to a standstill. Overnight, everything I had spent years building felt like it was put on pause. Like so many people in hospitality, I had to adapt and figure out what came next.
Life continued to test me. I went through the end of a long-term relationship that completely changed the course of my personal life. Around the same time, I poured everything I had into a workplace that ultimately didn’t share the same passion for excellence or invest in the growth I was striving for. It taught me an important lesson: hard work alone isn’t enough if you’re building someone else’s vision instead of your own.
The greatest challenge, however, was losing my father. That loss changed everything. It made me realize that life is too short to keep waiting for the “right time” to chase your own dreams. Instead of continuing to help build someone else’s future, I decided it was finally time to build my own.
Looking back, every obstacle became a turning point. They weren’t the chapters I would have chosen, but they gave me the resilience, perspective, and purpose that ultimately led to Scheller’s Cellar.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Scheller’s Cellar LLC was built from a simple idea: every cocktail should tell a story.
After spending over 15 years in hospitality—seven years in professional kitchens and the last eight behind some of Nashville’s most respected bars—I wanted to create a company that brought restaurant-quality cocktail experiences directly to people, wherever they are. Scheller’s Cellar specializes in private bartending, custom cocktail menus, whiskey tastings, mixology classes, bar consulting, and handcrafted syrups made from scratch.
What sets us apart is our focus on education and hospitality. We don’t just pour drinks—we create experiences. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, private tasting, or intimate dinner party, every menu is thoughtfully designed around the client, and every cocktail has a purpose and a story behind it.
I’m especially proud that Scheller’s Cellar reflects my entire career. My years as a chef taught me flavor, balance, and attention to detail. My bartending career taught me technique, hospitality, and how to connect with people. Bringing those two worlds together has allowed me to create something that feels truly authentic.
While Scheller’s Cellar is still a young company, the vision is much bigger than event bartending. My goal is to become a trusted name in craft cocktails, education, and hospitality, while continuing to create memorable experiences and eventually opening a cocktail bar of my own.
At the end of the day, I don’t want people to remember me because I made them a good drink. I want them to remember how that experience made them feel.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
You’re best bet to reach me or to see any of my progress is social media. You can find me and reach out for my services on every social media page and can also email me @ Schellercellar@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schellerscellar?igsh=ZmY1ZzVhNW5yMm5l&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BfysYgsva/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: https://x.com/schellercellar?s=11
