The support of a parent can sometimes be the difference between an idea and reality. That was the case for Eric Hudkins (J.D. ’24), who was enjoying a cocktail at the golf course with friends when he started thinking about how to can and sell the popular beverage.
The plan was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eric Hudkins was applying to The University of Tulsa College of Law and already had ambitious goals, but he brought the drink idea to his father, Dr. Bruce Hudkins (B.S. ’87), and Part Time Beverage Co. was born.
Part Time Beverage is a ready-to-drink cocktail company based in Tulsa and operated by the UTulsa alumni father-son duo – along with Eric’s mother and Bruce’s wife, Lisbeth Hudkins (B.S.B.A. ’87, J.D. ’91) – in addition to their full-time jobs as attorney and physician.
The drinks are known for their superior quality in the crowded industry, being more akin to traditional bar cocktails than seltzers and malt beverages. The company has a loyal following, and it’s hard to believe that Eric “went into it blind.”
The duo went through seven iterations of their first cocktail, the Club Special, which is based on the iconic beverage that originated at an Oklahoma golf course, before they got it just right. Since that initial launch in November 2021, they have added two more classics: the Cape Cod and Gin Rickey. “It’s been an arduous process: licensure, approvals, labels, canning, distributing, marketing,” Bruce Hudkins explained.
“I was 23 and applying to law school when we started the company,” said Eric Hudkins. “Now, I’m 28 and preparing to take the bar exam in July.”
Both men are busy people, committed to their fields, but the business is called “Part Time” for a reason. Even so, the family notes that the work is overwhelming at times. “If we’d known what we were getting into, we might never have started it,” Bruce Hudkins said with a laugh. “But it’s been fun.”
When working with family members, disagreements will inevitably arise, but father and son have found that spats never last long. Upon reflection, the two say the business has brought them closer than ever. “The parent-child relationship was already strong, but it has evolved,” said Eric Hudkins, sitting next to his smiling father. “None of this would have been possible without them.”
Bruce Hudkins agreed: “It’s been great to watch Eric’s growth, how he handles adversity. I’m so proud of him.”
The pair noted that the continued support of The University of Tulsa has helped them through their business journey, with TU Alumni Association events like TU Uncorked allowing them to spread their name further. They also maintain close relationships with past professors. “At The University of Tulsa, everything was easy because it was small. The low student-faculty ratio means everything,” Bruce Hudkins exclaimed, adding how many alumni his family touts and noting that his younger daughter, Avery, currently is a marketing junior in UTulsa’s Collins College of Business.
Considering the rocky road that got them to where they are now, the Hudkinses advised other families thinking about going into business together to simply plan ahead and listen to each other. “If you make a mistake, take responsibility for it,” Bruce Hudkins insisted, explaining that everyone in the family will have their own strengths.
He concluded with the notion that you should just enjoy the time spent together and that more than anything the experience has made for a great deal of fun as well as irreplaceable memories with his son.
Looking for a spirited drink to share with Dad on Father’s Day? Learn where to buy your favorites on the Part Time Beverages website.
Learn more about how today’s UTulsa supports university-related business ventures through the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.