Christopher Diebel

Founding Partner at Bubba – Southern Comforts

Graduation year: 2003

SJMC major: BA in Journalism & Mass Communications – Advertising

What your business does: Bubba is a restaurant and lounge focused on southern cuisine, craft cocktails and whiskey.

What inspired you to start your business: I have spent a large part of my career on the marketing side of hospitality. Building and nurturing other people’s brands inspired me to dream about my own. In 2013, we tested the waters with a pop-up restaurant over three nights. The initial success of that endeavor emboldened us to look for a permanent brick-and-mortar site. Our dream was realized in 2016 when we opened at the corner of 10th & Mulberry St in downtown Des Moines.

How are you using what you learned in the SJMC in your job? The skills we learned at Drake have been essential in conceptualizing and growing a brand. Additionally, my time in the SJMC gave me a strong communications foundation that has come in handy when corresponding with customers, employees and the media.