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It all started with a meme.
“Adults need a champagne truck like kids need an ice cream truck,” read the captioned photo that Alexander Tilkens’ mom sent him during his MBA studies.
“Do you want to do this?” she asked next.
The image sparked the idea for Bubble Bar Boston—a mobile bar experience that has blossomed into a thriving business, complete with a brick-and-mortar location in Amesbury.
As this anecdote illustrates, for Alexander, the road to entrepreneurship was anything but typical.
A veteran and a proud “double Viking,” Alexander earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2020, initially planning a career in federal law enforcement. When military-related injuries made that path impossible, he pivoted: Leaning into his love for problem-solving, he pursued graduate studies, completing his MBA in 2024.
“Salem State’s MBA program was instrumental,” Alexander said. “It taught me everything from market research to financing and to how to differentiate a business from its competitors.”
Those lessons helped Bubble Bar Boston take shape. The business began as a unique mobile bar that catered private events, featuring vintage-inspired decor and glassware.
Yet the challenges of seasonal operations in New England spurred Alexander and his business partner—his mom, Maria—to expand. In August 2023, they opened Bubble Bar Boston on Main in Amesbury. The glamorous 1930s-style bar features live music, and locals delight in its rumored history as a former FBI sting house.
“People say the bar is haunted,” Alexander noted with a smile.
For Alexander, the speakeasy offers more than the best drink in town: His team prioritizes creating memorable guest experiences, a philosophy rooted in lessons from the mobile bar. “We try to remember names, anniversaries, even birthdays,” he said. “It’s about building connections.”
Alexander’s commitment to his community extends far beyond the bar. Grateful for his experiences as a veteran, including his service to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Salem Veterans’ Council, he sees Bubble Bar Boston as another way to give back. The bar contributes to local causes through monthly philanthropic cocktails and provides meaningful employment opportunities for veterans, offering competitive wages and a supportive workplace culture.
Additionally, Alexander uses the bar as a platform to host veteran-centered events, such as fundraisers for military charities and social gatherings that help local veterans connect with resources and one another. By combining his passion for entrepreneurship with his dedication to the veteran community, he ensures Bubble Bar Boston makes a lasting impact both inside and outside its doors.
Reflecting on his time at Salem State, Alexander credits the university for shaping his journey. “My professors genuinely cared about my learning and helped me refine my business ideas,” he recalled. “Salem State is a place that welcomes people from all backgrounds and empowers them to succeed.”
Looking ahead, Alexander aspires to one day return to campus as an educator, teaching entrepreneurship or management. “Giving back to the place that gave me so much would be incredibly rewarding,” he said.
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Written by Professor Rebecca Hains, PhD, media and communication