Have you ever had a bad day, and, while drowning your sorrows in a vodka tonic you begin pouring out your problems to the person behind the bar? Well, if you happened to be doing that at the Dogwatch in Scituate this past fall, chances are you were getting free professional advice from the bartender, Beth Golden, who also happens to be a clinical therapist.

Beth began bartending  to earn extra cash while earning a B.S. in marketing at Providence College and then an M.A. in clinical psychology at Lesley University.  After working in both the advertising and psychology fields, she decided to take on a new career as a mom. She and her husband moved to Scituate (Beth is originally a North Shore girl), and had three kids in a span of five years.

 With three young boys, ages 1, 3, and 5, Beth decided to hold-off jumping back into a full-time therapy practice, and, instead, took a couple of bartending shifts at The Dogwatch, the pub located at the Inn at Scituate Harbor.  Between her great communication and ‘mixology’ skills, it wasn’t long before people began asking her to bartend at private parties.

After researching the opportunity and the risks, she called an insurance agent to get liability coverage and the she started her business: Twist of Class, Premier Bartending Service of the South Shore.

Having a professional bartender at a private party not only adds an element of sophistication, but it also can lift some responsibility from the host. Beth is TIPS certified, which means she is trained to deal with intoxicated people who may not need one more, and her insurance provides extra protection for the homeowner. In addition, Beth has established relationships with local liquor stores to receive discounts when purchasing  alcohol for the party, and she can suggest caterers as well as event décor that will make a difference.

“My philosophy is, you should be a guest at your own event,” Beth said.  When you bring in a Twist of Class, “The worry of whether or not you have enough wine, or if everyone is happy, goes away. It makes people more comfortable knowing someone is watching over the event with a clear eye.”

And, while Twist of Class is still a fairly new business, Beth is already considering how she can branch out to full event planning or new partnerships.

Currently, she has worked many house-held events, private functions held at the Scituate Maritime Center, and in September she will be working a backyard wedding of 140 people. She offers discounts for fundraising events and will be a featured at this year’s Food Fest and Auction to benefit Father Bill's and Mainspring. She also enjoys helping out those who are trying to promote their own businesses, such as her friend Jen Harris’ (aka the “Liquor Chick”) low-calorie LiteHouse Margarita Mix, and Terri Martini’s catering business at Front Street Gourmet. Her goal is to build relationships with ‘everyone and anyone’ including event planners, liquor stores, caterers, and even beauty spas to further promote her business as well as offer a great service to their clients.

Overall, she says, she is going with the flow. She had no business plan when she started, nor does she plan on mapping out the future. “I adapt as ideas come up,” Beth said.

Indeed! She’s using her head and having fun. Good plan!

For more information, visit: http://www.twistofclass.com/ and www.facebook.com/twistofclass

By Stephanie Neil

Stephanie Neil is a journalist. Her business, technology, and human interest stories have appeared in a variety of print and online newspapers and magazines including eWeek, Managing Automation, The Harvard Alumni Bulletin, Huggies Baby Network, South Shore Woman, and The Boston Globe.  She lives on the South Shore with her two kids, two cats, and a dog. Contact info: stephanieneil@comcast.net  or 781-378-1652. Follow her on Twitter @StephanieNeil