When we think “daily grind,” most of us measure it in daylight increments; but for a Las Vegas industry entrepreneur like Michael Tomes—owner of Umbrella VIP—the grind is a 24 hour one filled with making (and fielding) phone calls in different time zones, tending the clients that trust him to build their ultimate Las Vegas getaway. And a grind, it can be. “People don’t always appreciate the time that I and my reps put into creating their experiences,” he says. But the butt-busting bustle is worth it when everyone from A-listers to no-listers are so sassafied, they re-hire his party-planning prowess again and again.
Working all hours takes stamina, and for Tomes—who has worked in the nightlife industry both in Las Vegas and in Texas for more than a decade—a fastidious diet and exercise regime gives him the goods to keep going (though the VIP host admits to being a little OCD about something else, too!). A lover of juice and a fan of our brand, we’re thrilled that of all the juiceries in the land, Tomes hearts The Juice Standard not only for the love of Bee Happy, but for getting the energy he needs to do everything the makes him happy.
ALL ABOUT MICHAEL
The year I moved to Las Vegas was…2001 (from Texas).
In my experience, the biggest misconception about living in Las Vegas is…that people can party every night, and that no one has jobs.
The thing I not-so-secretly love most about living here is…the flexibility to do whatever you want, whenever.
Don’t get me started talking about…traveling.
Every day I strive to…be a better person.
Something people would be shocked to know about me is…I’m OCD about cleanliness. My house is seriously spotless.
Fave Vegas spots that never get old are…Firefly and The Foundation Room.
The health habit I get teased about the most is…that I work out constantly. I’m always at Lifetime. But my hard work has paid off.
MICHAEL ROCKS THE INDUSTRY STANDARD
My events-planning company is called Umbrella VIP (and we also run VegasPoolSeason.com). When people ask about my job and what my reps do every day, I tell them…that events don’t plan themselves! When I walk them by a two-hour line [at a club] and get them in, they don’t realize it took 10 phone calls and emails to make it happen….The clients don’t always realize [the nightlife industry] is about relationships.
The reason I’ve been able to do this for 13 years is because I do care about the clients’ experience. You can only be in this business if you’re taking good care of your clients, and I’m proud of [how I do] it.
True or false: “It’s hard for me to get the nutrition I need because my day is so busy.” I say false. I have a home office, and I make sure I go to the grocery store or I stop by The Juice Standard to shop. And, I never eat fast food. Ever. My roommate, Josh Green, is a chef and has a weekly healthy meals service called Meal Thyme. So he brings home healthy, fresh meals for me.
I try to be conscious. It takes months to build it, and only a few short weeks to wreck it.
The charity I try to contribute to most often is…Goodwill.
The perk I enjoy most about my job is…getting to meet lots of different people from all over the world, and showing them a good time in Las Vegas.
My favorite advice to give to other entrepreneurs is…“Stick with it. It doesn’t happen overnight.”
The number one thing I’d tell my younger self is…“Don’t go out so much” and “save your money.”
My top-three goals for my company are…to be the largest VIP company in Las Vegas in 2 years; to build a great staff; and to provide clients with an unforgettable VIP experience.
MICHAEL ON JUICE
The first time I realized I loved cold-pressed juice was…when I did a three-day juice cleanse in Dallas, about 3 years ago.
What made me know I wanted juice as a part of my healthy lifestyle was…I could see the results and felt better and more energized in those first three days.
At the beginning of the year, after the holidays, I did a six-day cleanse with The Juice Standard. This is how it went. What I noticed was that I worked out five out of seven days, and I wasn’t tired…I went about my normal routine. I think it was the difference in the quality of my juices being The Juice Standard’s juices. And, I took a nut milk and at the end of the night. I really felt like I could’ve gone a whole week.
In my opinion, this is what I think sets The Juice Standard (TJS) from the rest. The difference was noticeable [between my last cleanse and this one], and I think it was the quality of the juices. I lost 10 pounds with The Juice Standard, and I felt great. Even my skin. I had so much energy, I couldn’t believe it. And after the sixth day, I continued to lose weight for a whole other day. It jumpstarted me. I was really happy. I felt such a noticeable difference between [drinking] TJS juice and other cold-pressed juice you pick up.
When people ask, I tell them my fave TJS flave is…well I know Bee WHealthy™ is healthy. My go-to favorite nut milk is Bee Happy.
The funniest juice-related thing that happened during my cleanse was…that I didn’t pass out or go crazy! I had as much energy as any normal day.
When I’m not drinking TJS juice, my favorite cocktail is…Ketel, cranberry, Red Bull, and lime.
When people see me drink green juice and give me face, I want to tell them to…come over and talk with me. I’ll tell them why they should drink it, too.
My advice to a newbee juicer is…to continue to make juice a part of your daily routine and you’ll see a difference in the quality of your life.
