Client Highlight: Pony Keg Mobile Bar

When Alex Urquhart and Mariah Durand got married beneath the towering redwoods of Humboldt County, they never expected that their wedding would eventually inspire a business venture. But that’s exactly what happened. After falling in love with Humboldt, the couple decided to take a leap—turning their wedding-day experience into a full-time entrepreneurial journey.

“When we got married here, we fell in love with Humboldt and the redwoods,” they shared. “So much so that we quickly packed our bags and moved cross-country to live here.”

Even after relocating, something was missing. “We didn’t really feel like we were living and working in Humboldt. We wanted to get more immersed locally.” That opportunity came about a year later, when they saw a post from Hailee and Kara, the former owners of The Pony Keg Mobile Bar, that the business was up for sale.

“We loved the service, we loved the wedding industry here, and we had bartending experience… We also loved the idea of being able to provide experiences that could last a lifetime,” they explained. “The icing on top was how involved the previous owners were in nonprofit events, which we plan to continue investing in!”

Taking the leap into business ownership meant applying for their first business loan—something they said felt surprisingly similar to buying a house. With guidance from North Edge, they went through a full business valuation and mapped out expenses and revenue forecasting, which gave them added confidence to move forward.

“North Edge worked with us to ensure our assets were covered, our documentation was in order, and our loan was secured to help us mitigate risk from upfront cost,” they said. The team also reviewed forecasts and cost estimates, offering guidance every step of the way. “They were never shy to share their doubts or excitement… and gave us certainty on the strength of the wedding market in Humboldt, specifically.”

Alex and Mariah are now looking ahead with big plans. They’re bringing new energy to The Pony Keg while honoring the original vision. “We have many ideas to elevate the brand… from expanding more in the direction of mocktails for our non-alcoholic folks to adding wedding-themed cocktail napkins and more as add-ons for our services.”

They’re also focused on continuing the business’s involvement in community and nonprofit events. “We’ve already been approached by nonprofit gatherings to establish beer gardens to service their already existing foot traffic for routine fundraising events and more.”

A new website and brand refresh are currently in the works, with an eye toward a full relaunch in 2026. With thoughtful ideas, community focus, and support from North Edge, the future looks bright for The Pony Keg!

Visit their website theponykegmobilebar.com to learn more about their services!