About Us

Across the Bar Consulting is owned and operated by Caitlin Contreras. Born into a military family on a now decommissioned airfield in the Bay Area, Caitlin spent most of her childhood between Northern California, Boston, and D.C. She attended Boston University earning degrees in Business Management, Sociology, and Anthropology.

After college Caitlin joined the Marketing Analytics team at BCG (Boston Consulting Group), and entered a fast-track management program. Within the program at BCG, Caitlin worked across many departments and industries, including Insurance and Financial Institutions, Consumer Products, Tourism and Hospitality, Entertainment, and Healthcare. The experience at BCG developed a wide-range of skills, and provided an unparalleled opportunity to work with the top consultants and business development leaders in the country.

Caitlin moved back to California in the mid-2000’s and began working as a consultant. Pairing her sociology background with her business management and development experience, Caitlin became a leader in business efficiency solutions that focused on company culture and employee satisfaction, believing that the most successful strategy for profitability starts with a satisfied and secure workforce.

Over the years, the demand for services and project management extended beyond her capabilities, and Caitlin launched her own company, partnering with talented individuals to expand the company offerings, creating a more robust portfolio of services. This also allowed Caitlin to re-enter an industry close to her heart: Food & Beverage. In almost 25 years of experience, Caitlin has been part of over 150 opening teams of new or relaunched restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries. 

Now Caitlin has settled in the PNW and is bringing her love of small business growth and success to the Oregon and Washington coasts. Living at the mouth of the Columbia River in Ilwaco with an office in Astoria, her clients range from the Long Beach Peninsula to Cannon Beach, Portland and Vancouver, and across various industries including Retail, Food & Beverage, Property Management, Trade Services, and Fishing & Seafood.

When not in the office or working with clients, you can find Caitlin exploring her new home in the PNW with her service dog, Lt Dan.