By Yvonne Brown
When you host a party, dinner, or gathering at home, where do most of your guests end up spending the evening? In the kitchen, right? No matter how much you prepare the dining table or tidy up the living area, lighting candles and playing music for the perfect ambiance, your guests always seem to gravitate toward the kitchen.
Have you ever wondered why everyone seems to gather in the same spot? Typically, that's where they will find you, finishing up the last details of the evening's food options or mixing drinks according to your guests' preferences. As a result, no one leaves that area—at least not until you guide them to the dining table for a sit-down meal or to the nearest comfy seating. Meanwhile, you can't help but cringe at the mess they’re standing around while chatting and mingling. They might not notice it, but you do, and suddenly, you feel compelled to pick up or do some light cleaning around them. Consequently, you find it difficult to relax and enjoy the company you invited. The very reason you opened your doors in the first place gets overshadowed, all while your guests keep saying, “Sit down, come join us, leave it.”
While many nights playing host can end up like that – they don’t always have to, which is where Teacher by Day Events, a thoughtfully curated company founded by former educator Erin Swain, comes in. This innovative company aims to alleviate the stresses and strains of hosting events or even simple dinners and gatherings.
Erin's journey began during her teenage years when she took a part-time job while balancing her high school studies. Like many teenagers, she ventured into the service industry, gaining valuable experience in various roles such as host, server, and bartender. She continued to work evenings and weekends throughout college while pursuing a degree in Education. After 14 years of teaching, Erin cherished her students and her work deeply; however, she found her motivation for the profession gradually diminishing.
“The industry was evolving and teaching became more of a role where I felt I had to continuously do more with less. We all know teachers are not paid the best, and I decided to continue to work in the service industry from time to time while still teaching,” Erin recalls.
While pouring her heart and soul into her students, she realized that her passion for the service industry was even stronger. Alongside becoming a mother, she decided it was best to pursue a career with a more flexible schedule. As a result, she left teaching and returned to bartending. During this time, she discovered a growing demand for individuals with service industry experience to work not only in restaurants and bars but also at one-time events and parties. Additionally, she had a passion for event and party planning, which led her to assist friends with various celebrations.
She effectively marketed herself, and after working at a Frisco Women’s League event, numerous attendees took her card, leading to an influx of calls for her bartending services. From birthday parties to graduations and baby showers, her evenings and weekends quickly filled up, and soon, she had to turn away work. That's when it hit her…she had several teacher friends with service industry experience who were in the same boat and would eagerly welcome similar work. Maybe, just maybe, she had stumbled across a great business opportunity.
She and her husband created a business plan, and with the support of friends and family, she began to implement her idea. After discussing it with fellow teachers, many expressed interest in supporting the business and working for Erin. “The beauty of working with teachers is that they are typically lifelong learners and eager to support, easy to train, and will help in any capacity,” Erin explains. “And most of all, they are organized and on time!”
Initially, she started small by hiring just a few employees. However, as word of mouth spread, she consistently found work for six people at various events during evenings and weekends. By 2019, she decided to quit her job and commit to the business full-time. She recalls one of her employees expressing how happy she was that it would be the very first Christmas when she could buy all her holiday gifts with cash. Erin explains that this realization motivated her more than anything else; not only did she want to share her talent for serving with the Frisco community, but she also aimed to help ease the stress of her teacher friends' lives.
Just as Teacher by Day gained momentum, COVID-19 arrived, and everything came to a standstill. The transition from a thriving business to having zero work became a sudden reality. It was time to pivot.
While this was a devastating period for the world and, in particular, the food and drink service industry, Erin found her silver lining. She created an online cocktail class and held the gatherings via Zoom. However, the participants didn’t simply watch her curate cocktails; they joined in live and were very much hands-on. Erin would send out the list of ingredients in advance, and those joining would follow her step by step to create various cocktails, some of which were new and unique at the host’s request. As time progressed into the latter half of 2020, small events started to take place again. Gradually, Erin was able to rebuild her business, bringing back a few employees at a time, depending on demand.
To her delight, the business began to flourish once more, with event bookings throughout the week. From small baby showers to dinner parties, weddings, milestone birthday celebrations, corporate events, and even whiskey tastings—Teacher by Day had it all covered.
“People should know, we don’t just arrive to prepare drinks and food; we offer a full service, from set up to clean up,” Erin explains. “We bring bar tools and equipment where necessary, partner with the caterers, meet and greet guests, take their coats as they arrive, and walk around regularly refilling their drinks and can stay to clean up after everyone leaves.”
The original goal of the business was to provide teachers with an opportunity to earn extra income. However, over time, some staff members sought a way to connect with new people and take a break from their typical family routines. While all of her teachers are dedicated to their students, many expressed a desire for adult-only time and find real enjoyment in meeting new people while working.
Claire McMillian, an employee of Teacher by Day, says that working with and for Erin has been one of the best things to fall into her lap. She explains, “The extra money has allowed me and my husband to travel without having to expense our trips, and that has truly made it worth it! Erin is also one of the best people I have ever worked for. She cares so much about her staff and always puts us first while still catering to her clients. The way she treats us speaks volumes about her and what her mission is as a company.”
Kylie Edwards, another employee, admits that she truly enjoys the variety of events at which she gets to work. “What I love most is the opportunity to interact with so many different people and help create a positive, engaging atmosphere at each event. Whether it’s helping set the vibe, keeping things running smoothly, or just connecting with guests, I truly enjoy being part of the experience,” Kylie explains. “It’s also great to be part of a team that feels like a family. Since we’re all teachers, there’s an amazing sense of support and camaraderie that makes working together even more enjoyable. We all have each other’s backs, and that makes every event feel like a team effort.”
Erin and her team have enjoyed working with all kinds of clients familiar to the Frisco Community, including Verona Villa, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, LJA Engineering, Lone Star Plastic Surgery, and the Chamber of Commerce in various capacities, to name a few.
Melanie Hill of Lone Star Plastic Surgery and The Cheney Group have utilized Teacher By Day’s services since Erin created the business. “Her event staff are a direct reflection of her work ethic, and her company and can make a huge difference in the success of your event. They have always been the best in the business. Every bartender or event staff I’ve met arrives in a timely manner and provides a huge amount of support, always exceeding expectations. I would not hire anyone else if given the choice.
Owner of Frisco’s Verona Villa, Eventi, and Co-Owner of Nack Theater, Jason Young, agrees that Erin’s staff is like no other. “I have had the pleasure of working with Teacher by Day Event Services at our Frisco venues, Verona Villa, Eventi, as well as at Nack Theater and in our home for social events. Teachers are amongst the most amazing, intelligent, and caring people you can ever find. Erin creating this business to provide income and fun opportunities for our teachers was a terrific concept. We love the service as well as working with such quality folks.”
Frisco’s own National Breast Cancer Foundation along with its Director of Communications and Spokesperson Ashley Miller have, too, utilized Erin’s team’s services multiple times throughout the year as they’ve very much become a regular staple at both NBCF events, and Ashley’s personal events.
Ashley shares, “Teacher by Day has been an integral part of both our personal and professional journeys for years. Erin and her incredible team have become like family, sharing in some of our most cherished moments. From celebrating significant work milestones with NBCF to making every Miller family birthday unforgettable since our ‘first’ turn at 21, they’ve been there every step of the way.”
She continues, “Erin is truly a treasure. Her attention to detail ensures every event feels extraordinary, and we’re honored to support teachers in innovative ways beyond their classrooms. Her team, who dedicate their days to one of the most important professions, consistently go above and beyond to make us feel like the stars of every celebration. We are so grateful for them!”
Reflecting on the success of the past few years and some pinch-me, memorable moments, Erin looks back on the joy of receiving that first call of repeat business. “A client called and asked for us to help with their daughter’s engagement party after we had done a dinner party at their home. To know that my team did such a fabulous job and we had our first repeat customer was pretty awesome,” she remembers.
“Then I had my first wedding client. A client was so thrilled with our service over the years that she asked us to coordinate the entire day of her daughter’s wedding. From vendor arrival to set up, to cake cutting, champagne toast, to service, to bar, all the way to organizing the timeline of the event. To know they trusted me and my team with their daughter’s wedding meant that I had my very own legitimate small business!”
While Erin and her team work throughout the Dallas metroplex, they have recently extended their services to the Fort Worth area. They are also open to considering events in other locations for an additional travel fee.
Looking toward the future, Erin plans to expand her business further and take on full-scale event planning. Her dream is to own and operate her own event venue.
Erin finds her days truly fulfilling as she takes a moment to appreciate her simple yet meaningful business. She derives great joy from serving the North Texas community, particularly the residents of Frisco, who have played a crucial role in supporting her business. Erin expresses immense gratitude, satisfaction, and delight in giving back to the people who have continually lifted her up.
“I’m extremely proud of what I created. It’s not just about me, though but to be able to offer an opportunity for all our wonderful teachers just feels so good. They are indeed my WHY behind Teacher by Day.”
Specialty Holiday Cocktail Recipe
- "Christmas Spice"
- 1 1/2 ounces of Vodka
- 1 1/2 ounces Grand Marnier
- 3 ounces of Pomegranate Juice
- 3 ounces Apple Cider
- Squeeze of Hot Honey
- Juice of one lime wedge
Garnish with pomegranate seeds, sliced apple, and a rosemary sprig
Fill a cocktail glass with ice. Add the Vodka, Grand Marnier, pomegranate juice, apple cider, hot honey, and lime juice. Stir. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, sliced apple and a sprig of Rosemary.
Yvonne Brown is a Frisco-based freelance writer who enjoys lattes, authentic Italian food, preferably on a patio, and exploring all aspects of North Texas life with her family and friends.
