Month: January 2022

Marques Jones, a proud 2013 graduate of Texas Southern University, has an impressive background in business administration as well as experience in psychology for adolescents, but his recent leap of Faith has allowed him to “bare” it all. Jones has operated and performed in management roles in multiple national and international companies over the past 17 years, but is particularly proud of his latest entrepreneurial endeavor. He sat down to “Vibe Out” with us about his company, Bare Naked Daiquiris, where you can enjoy music, entertainment and what he says are Houston’s best libations that’ll keep you coming back for more. Vibe Houston: How did you get in the restaurant / lounge business? Jones: I’ve already held jobs in management in various businesses to owning my own care facility. Getting into the restaurant and lounge business was always something I wanted to do, so I just did it. Vibe Houston: Tell us about Bare Naked Daiquiris – from the concept, to the choosing of the name and location, etc.     Jones: Bare Naked is a daiquiri/ hookah lounge. I chose the location because  it is where I was born and raised and I wanted to bring a safe and fun and clean environment to the community. Vibe Houston: What do you feel is the best feature of your establishment…the food ..the drinks…the atmosphere, or is it something else? Jones: I feel that the best feature of my establishment is my drinks. We are the strongest daiquiri shop in Houston, Texas. Vibe Houston: Let’s talk about your selection. What is most popular? Your signature everyone “must” have? Jones: It’s simple. Our most popular drink at Bare Naked is “The 2020.” Vibe Houston: How have you adjusted during COVID? Jones: The first year of COVID, I had to adjust from customers not being able to come into the lounge, we had to transform to Uber Eats and Curbside. Now, it’s good to be back open for visits. We still use extreme caution ad follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Vibe Houston: What do you do to give back to the community? My core values consist of communication, integrity, and making sure I fulfill social responsibility duties. I pride myself in being a humanitarian and pillar for family support and change.  Every year we feed the homeless. During the winter time, we make hot meals for them, in addition to providing blankets and hygiene packages. Vibe Houston: What do you feel about the renewed interest or national push of supporting Black businesses? Do you think it will be short-lived? Jones: I’m excited to see the growing support for Black businesses and I do not think it will be short-lived. We are growing, have more Black businesses opening up and are supporting each other. Vibe Houston: Any advice to entrepreneurs or small business owners fighting to stay afloat during these challenging times? Jones: Stay constant and stay focused. My college experience at TSU helped me develop an early interest in learning how to survive immeasurable circumstances and be the change that the world needs. You can do anything you set your mind to as long as you are dedicated. Bare Naked Daiquiris is located at 11003 Fuqua Street. Houston, TX 77089 Click here to follow on Facebook. Click here to follow on Instagram.