International Women's Day 2024: White Shades's Head of Beverage, Alexa bartends with flair and flares

This year’s International Women’s Day 2024 theme is ‘Inspiring Inclusion.’ Yahoo Life Singapore speaks to inspiring women of today who are making a difference and forging a better world.

Alexa Low, Head of Beverage at White Shades, is working her way up in the male-dominated industry of bartending. Hailing from Malaysia, Alexa took on her first bartending role at Tanjong Beach Club. She moved on to a four-year stint at Employees Only, honing her skills along the way.

Alexa then moved on to White Shades, attracted by the opportunity to work alongside and be mentored by JiaWei Bai. As Head of Beverage now, Alexa relishes conceptualising new drinks, weaving innovation, her expertise and the constant pursuit of fresh approaches into the White Shades' dynamic menu.

Here's her spotlight this International Women's Day 2024.

What is it like to be a woman today in this 21st century?

Motivating sometimes because of growing equal rights, and many powerful women are coming out of their shells to achieve unexpected goals. And other times, it can be very challenging as many people are still surprised to see females bartending.

Maybe partly due to growing up in a male-dominated environment, I feel challenged all the time and want to make a statement that I can do just as much as they can. Now, there is a desire to educate society on how gender does not matter in any industry; depending on what each individual wants to achieve, it's all reachable.

Name a female personality you'd like to sit down for a meal with and why

Singer, Pink. She's my biggest inspiration and idol. In the early times of her career, society viewed her as a menace because she did things out of the norm, like having boyish haircuts in loud colours, dressing up differently, etc. Nothing seemed to affect her (on the surface, at least), and in fact, it seemed to strengthen and motivate her even more to shine. She continues to surprise people despite their opinions of her. Now, look at where she is and who she's become. She continues to inspire the new female generation. She's the kind of tough I aspire to be.

Tell us your proudest achievement to date

I feel that my career achievements are progressively growing as a bartender, from starting as a barback to currently managing a bar and being given opportunities to travel overseas, doing something I love. I'm proud to be able to put some signature drinks on the menu for people to enjoy, as some of them represent me, my story and the country I’m from. Of course, none of these can happen without the support and skill training from all my mentors.

What are some of the challenges you face at this point in your life, whether it’s personal or career growth?

One of the challenges I faced during my career growth is creativity, sometimes it’s difficult to get inspired, and you can only come up with so many ideas in one go. Another challenge would be managing people I work with, who might be more senior than me, but I'm now in a position where I have to manage them. I’ve learned that communication really, is key.

What’s your favourite thing about your job role?

I love making new drinks, the R&D process can require a lot of creative thinking, and like I mentioned earlier, it can prove to be challenging at times - but it’s so satisfying when I see customers enjoying the drinks that I make. In this role, especially working with Jiawei, I also get offered opportunities to go to events and do guest shifts - I just went to Taipei at the end of 2023 to do a guest shift. It’s an amazing learning experience, to be able to discover a different culture, and different concepts, and to be able to share them with people in the industry.

What kind of improvements do you want/have seen in your industry that will help women?

I’d love to see more women explore flaring in the bartending industry. I like to flare, but I'm not at an expert level (yet); it can be intimidating to learn these skills from male bartenders. I’d love for an opportunity to practise with a female bartender who is learning at the same pace as I am!

Get Flair Bottles Practice Set of 3 here

What is your self-care routine like?

I have a few hobbies to help me relax or release stress. Working out after a day's work is part of my self-care routine because it's more peaceful at night. Other than that, during my off days, I engage in hobbies like playing the guitar, video games, basketball, Muay Thai or just getting my sleep in and calling my family. I also hardly drink on my days off, unless I'm out for social events.

How would you inspire inclusion in your daily life in 2024?

I would inspire inclusion by trying my best to create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere at the bar. I’d ensure that all our customers walking into White Shades, feel warmly welcomed and respected, regardless of how they look, regardless of their gender, or identity. I would also listen to their stories and experiences; as a bartender, that’s how you get to know your patrons, and when you make them feel heard, coupled with great drinks – that’s how you keep them coming back.

Plug something you're passionate about

Always have an interest in flaring, but find it hard to start on it again when I don’t do it for a while. Other things I'm passionate about are playing basketball, scuba diving and MMA. I always get sucked into the supernatural and crime junkies podcasts, in hopes of catching a fugitive one day. Quite passionate about saving lives, pretty sure I used to be a superhero in my past life.

Related:
International Women's Day 2024: LAC's CMO Evelyn Teo on daring to be the one to trigger change
International Women's Day 2024: Charlotte Cho, founder of Soko Glam and award-winning skincare line
International Women's Day 2024: Skyscanner Travel Expert Cyndi knows when to take a break
International Women's Day 2024: Porcelain founder Pauline Ng on being burnt out and tips on preventing it
This Skechers Managing Director went from having just 3 staff members to over 1,150 in Southeast Asia