We recently had the chance to connect with Samantha Menendez and have shared our conversation below.
Samantha, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building is the culture behind the bar. The sense of family, trust, and pride that my staff carries even when no one’s watching. Guests see the cocktails, the music, the energy but what they don’t see are the late nights training new bartenders, the conversations when a team member’s having a rough day, or the small moments where we choose integrity over shortcuts.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m one of the owners of One Shot Back. A cocktail lounge with bar games. It’s the kind of place where good vibes, great drinks, and even better conversations just happen. We opened the bar because I wanted to create a spot that felt like peoples home away from home. A place where people could relax, laugh, and connect over a killer cocktail (or two).
Being a woman in this industry has definitely been a wild ride, but it’s also what makes our space special. I love putting a creative spin on things. From our drink menu to our events and collaborating with other local women-owned businesses whenever I can. Right now, I’m working on adding some fun themed nights and pop-ups, so stay tuned… we’re just getting started!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
Honestly, I taught myself. I didn’t grow up with a blueprint or a mentor showing me the ropes… I learned by doing, failing, and getting back up. Every late night, every setback, every small win taught me something about resilience, responsibility, and pride in my work. I built my own standard, and that’s what keeps me pushing, not to prove anyone wrong, but to prove to myself that I can handle whatever comes my way.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
My biggest fear has always been failing, not because of the failure itself, but because I’ve never really had anyone to catch me if I fell. When you grow up relying on yourself, the stakes feel higher. Every risk feels heavier. But over time, I’ve learned that even if no one’s there to catch me, I can trust myself to get back up. That fear still lingers sometimes, but now it pushes me instead of paralyzing me.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people are getting it wrong in business because they only see the numbers… spreadsheets, projections, profits but they don’t actually understand how to run a bar. There’s a big difference between managing a business on paper and being in the trenches every day. You can’t measure hustle, intuition, or the way you treat people with a formula. Success isn’t just data — it’s leadership, heart, and showing up when things get messy. That’s the part the numbers will never teach you.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I led with integrity. That I cared more about people than profit. I never wanted to be remembered for how much money I made, but for how I made people feel. I hope my staff remembers that I had their backs, that I treated them like family, and that I built something that made their lives a little better. At the end of the day, money fades, but the impact you have on people lasts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oneshotback.com
- Instagram: @oneshotback
- Linkedin: @oneshotback
- Twitter: @oneshotback
- Facebook: @oneshotback
- Yelp: oneshotback
