Pour Decisions: A Toast to Friendship and a Buzz-Worthy Business

Photo Credit: Karen Presecan Photography

Dana Atkins and Kim Reynolds share a friendship that spans decades, dating back to when they first met in seventh grade at Walker Grant Middle School in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Their bond has only strengthened over the years, leading to a unique and thriving business partnership. Together, they've built a deep personal connection and a mobile bar business, Love Buzz Mobile Bar,  that is turning heads in the Fredericksburg area.

A Friendship Forged in Middle School

Their story began when Dana moved to Fredericksburg as a middle schooler. "I was the new girl, and the school assigned Kim to help show me around," Dana recalled. "We had similar classes, and it didn't take long before we clicked as friends."

Kim remembers the moment well. "There was an instant connection," she said. "We shared a lot of the same interests, and we just kind of gravitated toward each other." That connection would be the foundation for a lifelong friendship that would help them navigate through life together.

As fate would have it, Dana's future husband, Cameron, was introduced to her through Kim during their high school years. "Cameron lived in the same neighborhood as me," Kim says. "One day, Dana and I were hanging out, and Cameron stopped by to say hi. That's how they met."

"It wasn't until a couple of years later that we reconnected in a biology class at Germanna Community College,” said Dana. “I mentioned to him that he knew my best friend, Kim, and that's how we started dating."

Fast forward, Dana and Cameron got married, and now, both families live on the same road—River Road—so the two friends see each other frequently, just like in their middle school days.

A Business is Born

The inspiration for their business came in an unexpected way. Dana and her family had recently moved back to Fredericksburg from Georgia when she stumbled upon a TikTok video that changed everything. 

"I saw a video where someone transformed an old camper into a mobile bar, and I immediately thought, 'We could do this,'" Dana said. "I hadn't seen anything like it in Fredericksburg, and I knew it would be a fun, unique venture."

Kim didn't need much convincing. "As soon as Dana mentioned it, I was on board," Kim said. "My daughter Drew got involved right away, helping us find a camper."

"Luck was on our side because a 1969 Shasta Compact camper came up for sale in King George," Dana explained.  "Did it need some work? Oh, yes 100%!"

Dana and Kim tackled the project head-on, with help from their husbands and family. "We had to gut the whole thing," Dana explained. "We even bug-bombed it three times. It took three months of nights and weekends to transform that camper into a bar, but by the end, it was worth every drop of sweat."

The Key to a Successful Business Partnership

Starting a business with a friend can be tricky, but Dana and Kim have made it work seamlessly. They attribute their success to a few fundamental principles: defining roles, having fun, and maintaining open communication.

"We've divided responsibilities based on our strengths," Dana explained. "I handle the operational side of things, while Kim is the master of event shopping and keeping us on budget. We also share many of the tasks, but we lean on each other when life gets busy."

Kim agrees that balance and teamwork are essential. "Running a business together requires open communication," she said. "We listen to each other and stay on the same page. And we make sure to have fun, whether dancing at events or coming up with new cocktails for our clients."

They both believe that their friendship has made the business experience more enjoyable. "It's not just about the work," Dana said. "We're making memories together, and that's what makes it special." Their friendship has not only survived but thrived through the ups and downs of life and business. 

"At the end of the day, we're in this together," Dana says. "Whether it's running the business or navigating life, we've got each other's back."

Outside of their business, Dana and Kim stay connected by working out together at Burn Boot Camp. 

“We hold each other accountable and make sure fitness stays top of mind,” Kim shared. Fitness is an important part of their friendship but so is their love of creating. “We love making fresh simple syrups for our cocktails and experimenting with new recipes,” Kim said. “Using fresh ingredients makes our cocktails taste so much better, and we get rave reviews from clients.”

A Strong Sense of Community

Kim has lived in Fredericksburg her whole life and recently moved to the Chancellorsville area three years ago. Dana and Cameron, after living in Atlanta, also moved back to Fredericksburg three years ago and settled on River Road, just one mile from Kim and Chris in the Bearington neighborhood.

They love the Chancellorsville area for its balance between rural beauty and urban convenience. "The sunrises and sunsets here are beautiful," Kim said. "And we love how close we are to shops and restaurants without feeling like we're in the middle of a city."

The two friends enjoy spending time at local spots like Hurkamp Park during First Fridays, where they set up their mobile bar selling mocktails and bougie hot chocolate. 

“We love supporting local businesses like Eatz and the Farmers Market,” Dana said. “And we’re huge fans of Mexican food—Agave and Juan More Taco are some of our favorites.”

And they love giving back to the community as well. For the past three years, Dana and Kim have volunteered their time and business to support the local SPCA Fur Ball event. “We love animals and being able to give back to the community,” Kim said.

Both Dana and Kim have their own animals as part of their extended family as well. Dana’s dog Ruger is her “pet child,” following her everywhere. “He loves his walks—two miles most days,” Dana said. Ruger is best friends with Kim’s dog Burt and granddog Rory. “They’re like a little squad—going for walks, chasing squirrels, and just hanging out,” Kim laughed. “They’re a big part of our families.”

A Bright Future Ahead

Today, Dana and Kim's business is flourishing. Their mobile bar is in demand for weddings, corporate events, and parties throughout the Fredericksburg area. "It's been incredible to see how our idea has taken off," Kim said. "We're excited to keep growing and see where it takes us next."

Dana and Kim's friendship remains the heart of everything they do. "We've been friends since seventh grade," Dana said. "And now, we get to live a mile from each other and work together every day. We couldn’t ask for anything better.”

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For more information on Love Buzz Mobile Bar check out lovebuzzmobilebar.com and follow Dana and Kim’s journey on Facebook or Instagram @lovebuzzmobilebar.