WHEN Travis Jones kicked off his bar business, he saw it as his final shot at living his best life and crushing it big time. He was in his 50s and eager to figure out how to make the most of his hard-earned retirement cash. This was his golden chance to chase his entrepreneurial dreams and make them a reality!
“I was sitting on my balcony in Dandan overlooking the beautiful blue ocean and told myself I want to have my own business, and it must be good. With my retirement, it is my last shot of investment," he said.
And so, Travis named his bar Last Shot and founded the bar in April 2021.
He has been wanting to own his own beach bar since he was in his youth.
"It has always been my dream to own a beach bar. Something like the ones you see in Cuba, Jamaica, and these regions. I want my own beach bar where I can see people have fun, drink, and dance by the beach and under the night sky," he said.
Travis came to Saipan as an employee of one of the many contractors sent by the federal government to help in the restoration and revitalization projects on the island after it was devastated by Typhoon Yutu.
"But IÂ fell in love with the place and the people. This is where I want to be, this is the place I want to put up a business," he said.
Jones did not let the pandemic's challenges dissuade him from taking the leap and starting his business. Despite everything being shut down globally, he embraced the risk. Even as he worked full-time in construction and renovation, including a well-known hotel, he launched Last Shot.
"It was hard work. Many things you see in this bar came from former project sites that dispose of some of their materials," he said.
With their stylish wooden tables, plush sofas, and sophisticated chairs, it's hard to believe that some of the items were crafted from leftover scraps salvaged from the construction projects he oversaw.
"What was supposed to be trash, I loaded in my truck and created something good out of it," he said.
Although it was not exactly a beach bar, the place he rented fulfilled his dream. Last Shot is close to the beach and boasts a balcony where customers can enjoy a refreshing sea breeze and a view of the starry night sky. Additionally, there was an indoor rooftop space where they could dance and party to their heart's content.
Rising up, team work and 2nd year
After months of managing both work-life balance and a start-up business, Last Shot has finally become an established bar with a capacity to accommodate up to 200 people.
It is celebrating its 2nd anniversary, today April 21.
The place has a billiard nook equipped with 4 billiard tables, dart boards, jengga and other board games to enjoy while having a drink. The bar, which started with only a few brands of beer and alcohol, now has a variety of cocktails, wines and a collection of liquors and alcohol.
"When we first started operating, we only had a limited selection of drinks and relied on suggestions from our suppliers to stock our bar," Travis explained.
He mentioned that he used to frequent the bar to unwind before starting his own business, with only a basic knowledge of bartending. Now, the bar at Last Shot is fully operational and equipped with state-of-the-art amenities.
"I am grateful to our suppliers and all our other business partners for the guidance they have given us, especially when we were still starting this business," Travis said.
A team of bartenders and waiters are now working together to ensure smooth operations of the business.
Jones and his wife Cheyenne were eventually joined by their business partners, Mara and Scott Shular, and Cheyenne Jones, after several months of operation. Being a part of the business is a passion for the Shulars.
"We love what we do. We love this business, and we are willing to put our time, effort, and hard work for its growth," Scott said.
The team acknowledges that the dedication of their staff and commitment to providing excellent customer service has also played a significant role in the success of their business.
"We are grateful for our customers. Without them, we will not be able to sustain the business. It is our goal to continue providing them with the best service that we can offer. People talk about their experience," Mara, Last Shot's Operations Manager said.
Scott echoes the team's appreciation to their customers.
"The word of mouth is powerful. People talk about this bar and the experience they have here. We want to give them a pleasant experience whenever they walk in this place. This is a place everyone can enjoy and have fun," Scott said.
Apart from being a rooftop bar where people can unwind after work, the venue is also available for rental for various special events and parties such as weddings, conferences, and even kids' parties. In fact, Scott and Mara chose Last Shot as the venue for their wedding.
"We are a very flexible venue. You can bring your own food, decorate and hold closed private parties.
Travis expressed his gratitude to Chayenne, Scott and Mara who are running the business with 100 % dedication. Chayenne was a teacher before joining Jones in his business.
"At first I was hesitant to invest my time on a bar business. But now I see the business from a unique perspective. We put our hearts into what we do here," Chayenne said.
Anniversary specials
Join us this Friday, April 21st and indulge in $3 Two Fingers Tequila shots, our 2-in-1 Anniv special cocktail drink, and $15 bucket of five (Bud, Bud Light and Michelob) all night long. Music with Big Jay starts at 8 pm and raffle giveaways throughout the night. Please gather your friends and join us for a fun-filled two-year anniversary celebration!
