My name is Remy. I'd like to share with you some of my story. A little while ago, I was a full-time student. I relied on student loans for most of my income. Then came the day I got a letter in the mail. Long story short, my financial aid was cut off, and the bureaucracy involved meant I wasn't going to get it back any time soon, if I got it back at all.

 So there I was: no money, no degree, no job. I still had two semesters to go before I would be done with college. I still had to carry a full load of courses. I needed a paycheck quick, and with my rent looming and my student loans now coming due soon, I needed it to be big.

 Fortunately, my roommate had just attended bartending school. Within a month he had not one but two jobs and was bringing home serious cash. Now, he happens to be the most driven guy I know, but I figured even if it took me twice as long as it took him, bartending was still my best shot.

 So I went to the school. I tried it out. I really liked it. I gave them five hundred bucks.

 It took a little longer than my roommate, but pretty soon I had two jobs too. The best part was I loved the work. Bartenders bring a lot of skills to the table: speed, strength, accuracy and knowledge. But the thing I love most about this job is you are paid to be interested and interesting. You're co-workers are paid for the same reason. Essentially, what I discovered was a line of work that gathered fascinating people together under one roof -- people with a passion for food and drink and friends and a good time. And it paid better than anything I'd ever done before.

 When the economy began to turn, a lot of my friends who had good jobs suddenly didn't have them anymore. Regular customers from the banks and mortage lenders down the street were now turning in applications at restaurants. Some asked me about bartending. They didn't have half a grand to go to traditional bartending school like I did. So I started to teach.

 We'd go to bars. I'd explain everything. Then we'd go home. We'd put ice in the kitchen sink and practice shaking and mixing. Then we'd go back to the bars -- and my friends got hired.

 Eventually I thought, this is good, but is there a way I can do it better? Can I reach more people? Share my newfound passion and help others discover it for themselves?

 The answer is yes. There is a way. This website is it. This group of people -- the Better Bartenders -- is it.

 What we do here at Better Bartending is simple. We offer the training and the tools you need to become a bartender. We bring that training to you at home. And we do it for $49.95 -- one tenth the price I paid for traditional bartending school. But that's just the beginning.

 What makes a bartender better? As in any endeavour, it is continual growth and training. This is what makes Better Bartending different. We stick with you. We continue to teach you. You continue to grow. You get better opportunities. All for $24.95 a month. Trust me, when you come home with hundreds of dollars in your pockets, you'll be very happy -- proud even -- with the 25 bucks you invested in yourself.

 I hope you enjoy all we have to offer here at Better Bartending. I hope you engage with our community, that you learn and that others learn from you. Most of all I'm simply glad you're here.

 -- Remy Schrader

remy@betterbartending.org