"I'm very glad to have a job," says Don Ray because a few months ago his antique store folded and he was down to 100 dollars in his bank account.

Ray says, "I was unemployed, I was looking to do something really quickly, I was almost out of money and my house was about to be foreclosed."

Dallas Marriott Las Colinas turned out to be a perfect fit for Ray. After he attended The Premium Institute of Bartending in Lewisville.

It's a full class, among the students Cyndi Pursell, "would I do this next?" She's hoping to make this her new career and says, "I have a master's degree in computer science and engineering. I have a daughter going to college I need extra income."

Rikki Phillips and her husband are so busy they're having to open a second location in the DFW area. Phillips says, "We have met capacity at this location every single one of our classes are full we are enrolling students for future classes we have wait lists for classes."

James Birkmire says, "I was a general person manager for an aviation jet engine company." Unable to find a job he's pinning his hopes on bartending. He says, "A lot of college kids are having finals they're not working summer's coming outdoor bars are opening up so they've got a lot of vacancies they've got to fill."

The class ray took was two weeks long. After graduation students stand to make between 150 and 300 dollars per shift. That's mainly in tips.

Ray says, "no matter how bad a day they had I want to make sure they leave with a smile on their face."

For more information: The Premium Institute of Bartending