The Business
The Exclusive Speakeasy That’s Invite-Only
Overview
Nestled in the heart of Northeast Indiana, Door 13 Speakeasy is more than a bar—it’s a mysterious hideaway. Guests gain access strictly by invitation or secret password, making it one of the region’s rare authentic speakeasies. Renowned for its handcrafted cocktails, moody ambiance, and strictly “in-the-know” policy, Door 13 offers a one-of-a-kind night out for those lucky enough to score an invite.
But behind the scenes, the owner struggled with managing invitations, passwords, and arrivals—all while wanting to maintain Door 13’s exclusive, boutique feel.
The Story
The Problem
Manual Gatekeeping on Overdrive
Ultimately, the owner realized she was spending more time on her phone than shaking craft cocktails. She needed a single platform that could handle invites, guest data, cover charges, and more—without sacrificing the speakeasy’s mystique.
- Time-Consuming Texts & Calls: Potential guests would text or call the owner directly, who then had to manually reply with details, instructions, or last-minute updates—all from her personal phone.
- Inefficient Password & Guest List Management: The speakeasy’s “secret password” changed periodically, yet sharing it with new patrons often involved numerous back-and-forth messages, many of which got lost or delayed.
- Lack of Automation: No dedicated system captured guest info, party size, or preferences in one place. The owner found herself juggling spreadsheets and scattered phone chats.
- Limited Payment Processing: For special events or cover charges, Door 13 struggled to secure payments up front, adding extra stress at the door.
The Solution

Automated Conversations + Two-Way Texting
Door 13 found exactly what it needed in Personify, a fully integrated marketing, CRM, and communication platform. Here’s how it transformed their secretive operation:
Local Phone Number & SMS Workflows
Within Personify, Door 13 secured a dedicated local number that guests could call or text.
By texting a special keyword (posted on Door 13’s private social channels), customers triggered an automated SMS conversation that responded with the current password and instructions on how to enter.
Interactive Text-Message Survey
Rather than a static form, Personify guided patrons through a friendly text-based Q&A, collecting guest details—like name, party size, and date of visit.
All responses instantly synced to the Door 13 contact record inside Personify’s CRM, keeping everything centralized and easy to manage.
Secure Payment Processing
Personify’s built-in payment feature allowed Door 13 to collect cover charges or event fees right within the same text conversation.
Returning guests could be charged automatically once their info was on file—no fumbling with credit cards at the door.
Flexible Owner Intervention
If a conversation needed a human touch, the owner (or staff) could jump in at any time using Personify’s two-way messaging dashboard.
This mix of automation + personal touch ensured that special requests or VIP guests got the attention they deserved.
Time-Saving Social Media Integration
Door 13 also leveraged Personify’s social media planner, scheduling posts and updates about the speakeasy’s secret happenings—even teasing new cocktails—without leaving the platform.
The Results
Elevated Exclusivity, Zero Administrative Chaos
- Conversation at Scale: By automating the password reveal and collecting guest details via SMS, Door 13 drastically reduced manual back-and-forth. Freed from constant texting, the owner could focus on crafting cocktails and enhancing the overall ambiance.
- Improved Guest Experience: Instead of a cryptic or delayed response, new patrons received an instant, friendly conversation via text, feeling the speakeasy’s “insider” vibe from the get-go.
- Seamless Payment Collection: Cover charges and event fees were automatically handled through Personify. Door 13 no longer lost revenue due to no-shows or last-minute cancellations.
- Centralized Contact Management: Thanks to Personify’s CRM, each guest’s preferences, payment history, and conversation logs live in one place—easy to access and perfect for future marketing.
- Ongoing 24/7 Access: Whether it was 3 PM or 3 AM, potential guests could text Door 13’s number and receive an automated response. The speakeasy became more accessible—on its own terms—without draining the owner’s bandwidth.

”Personify gives us the best of both worlds. We stay mysterious and exclusive, yet everything is automated. My phone no longer blows up at all hours, and our guests LOVE the smooth, interactive experience!
AndiJo ClarkOwner, Door 13
Key Takeaways
2-Way SMS Messaging
Automatically send SMS text messages and reply all in the single dashboard.
Worflow Automations
Actions like replies trigger new texts or sign up form trigger payment requests.
Payment Processing
Recieve, track, and follow-up on payments, all connected to your customer database.
Smart Contact Management
Keep all customer details in one place for easy access and seamless collaboration between teams.
Ready to Automate Your Customer Experience?
Whether you run a speakeasy, a boutique business, or a full-scale enterprise, Personify has the tools you need to streamline communications, collect payments, and manage contacts in one seamless platform.
Schedule a Demo or Contact Us to see how Personify can help you save time, reduce overhead, and deliver unforgettable experiences—just like it did for Door 13 Speakeasy.
