Hola, Hola!

What happens when you take one of Texas nightlife’s most nostalgic shots—the sweet, spicy Mexican candy shot—and put that experience into a bottle?

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby, aka Your Techie Chica, sits down with Ben Rosen, founder of Volada Vodka and De Volada Mexican Candy Shot, and Jessica Yuen-Hernandez, Texas Market Manager, to talk entrepreneurship, culture, spirits, technology, and what it really takes to bring a new brand to market.

De Volada was born from something customers were already doing using Volada’s watermelon vodka to make Mexican candy shots. The team saw the opportunity and turned it into a ready-to-drink experience made in San Antonio with fresh watermelon flavor, real chili, natural flavors, and that sweet-and-spicy kick Texans know and love.

But this conversation goes beyond what’s in the bottle.

Kat, Ben, and Jessica get into:

The story behind Volada and De Volada
How they developed and tested the Mexican candy shot
Why San Antonio and Tex-Mex culture are such an important part of the brand
How sales data helps the team understand what’s working in the market
The role of social media, QR codes, and technology in building a modern spirits brand
How AI is already becoming part of their day-to-day business
Why relationship building still matters, even in an increasingly digital world
Plus, a few easy ways to enjoy De Volada at home

And yes…we do a live tasting. Because this is Tech + Tequila, after all. 😉

Follow De Volada on Instagram:
@mexicancandyshots

Follow Volada:
@voladavodka

Follow Kat + Shelby Technology Solutions:
@shelbytechsolutions

Innovation doesn’t always mean inventing something the world has never seen before. Sometimes it means recognizing something people already love, respecting the culture behind it, and using technology, data, and thoughtful design to deliver that experience to more people.

And Tech + Tequila is getting closer to a pretty BIG milestone…

EPISODE 100 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

We’ve talked about tech, tequila, entrepreneurship, AI, cybersecurity, business, community, and everything in between—and we’re just getting started. Stay tuned as we count down to #TechAndTequila100.

Until next time, keep your technology simple, your connections meaningful, and your De Volada ice cold.

Salud!

Please enjoy responsibly. You must be 21+ to purchase or consume alcohol.

If your business has multiple locations, multiple carriers, multiple contracts, and enough invoices to make you want to pour a drink, this episode is for you.

On this special Tech + Tastings episode of Tech + Tequila, I sit down with Dan Solomon from BCN to talk about something I see businesses struggle with all the time: technology gets complicated really fast.

We get into connectivity, network resilience, backup internet, SD-WAN, 4G/5G, POTS replacement, and what businesses actually need to know without turning the conversation into alphabet soup.

Because you know my mantra: strategy before software. Always.

Dan and I talk about what happens when companies grow, acquire new locations, or simply accumulate technology over the years. Suddenly, nobody knows who owns what, which carrier supports which locatio, or why accounting is still paying for a circuit that was unplugged five years ago.

BCN's approach is about simplifying that complexity by bringing multiple carriers and services together with greater visibility, centralized support, and consolidated billing.We also dig into something every business owner needs to think about: having two internet connections doesn't automatically mean you have true redundancy. 

What happens when your primary connection fails? Does your backup automatically kick in? Do your calls stay connected? Is someone proactively monitoring the network, or are you finding out there's a problem when employees start calling IT?And yes, we talk about those good old POTS lines.

If you have elevators, fire alarms, emergency phones, fax machines, or other legacy systems, now is the time to figure out exactly what you have, what you're paying for, and what actually needs to be replaced.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why multi-location businesses can quickly lose visibility into their technology
• How to simplify multiple carriers, services, contracts, and invoices
• Why businesses may still be paying for technology they aren't even using
• The difference between having backup internet and having real network resilience
• Why proactive monitoring matters when something goes down
• SD-WAN, SASE, DIA, 4G, 5G, satellite, and what businesses actually need to care about
• Why businesses should start reviewing their POTS lines now
• How companies with remote locations, field operations, warehouses, and oil & gas sites can rethink connectivity
• Why the best technology decision isn't always the newest or shiniest solution
• And, of course, what we're drinking during this special Tech + Tastings episode

At the end of the day, technology shouldn't create more work for your business. It should help keep you connected, operational, protected, and prepared to grow.

So grab your cafecito, tequila, vodka, or whatever happens to be in your glass, and join us for another conversation where we make technology a little less intimidating, a lot more human, and hopefully a little more fun.

#TechAndTequila #TechieChica #SMBTech

What happens when your customers expect to reach you by phone, text, chat, video, and every channel in between — and they expect you to remember the conversation no matter where it started?

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby (Techie Chica) sits down with Jamie DeWitt, VP of Sales for the Central Region at Vonage, and Tabitha Sims, Senior Regional Channel Manager for the Central Region at Vonage, for a real-world conversation about the future of business communications.

Vonage has come a long way from its early reputation as a traditional VoIP phone provider. Today, the conversation is about much more: unified communications, contact centers, APIs, AI, automation, and creating a truly connected customer experience.

The problem? Businesses often end up with a “Frankenstein” tech stack — different platforms, disconnected channels, and customer information scattered everywhere. And when a customer starts a conversation in chat only to be told to call and explain everything all over again, that disconnect becomes their problem.

Kat, Jamie, and Tabitha break down how businesses can bring those conversations together, create a more seamless omnichannel experience, and use AI to improve efficiency without making customers feel like they're trapped talking to a robot.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Why modern customer communication is about much more than phone calls

• The evolution of Vonage beyond traditional VoIP

• How disconnected systems can hurt the customer experience

• Creating a true omnichannel customer journey

• Why businesses don't necessarily need to replace their entire tech stack at once

• How AI can improve efficiency, automation, personalization, and cost savings

• Finding the right balance between AI and human connection

• Why customers care less about the technology behind the scenes and more about whether it simply works

  
  

No tech jargon. No complicated explanations. Just real conversations about technology, business, customer experience — and, of course, maybe a little tequila along the way.

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby welcomes back Emilio Tirado of Netrix, for a practical, plain-English conversation about implementing AI without getting caught up in the hype.

Emilio explains why a successful AI strategy does not begin with buying new software. It begins with understanding the business problem, assessing your data, securing sensitive information, setting the right permissions, and determining whether automation will produce measurable value.

Kat and Emilio also discuss the hidden costs of AI, including token usage; the difference between EDR and managed detection and response; and how a Microsoft health check can uncover unused licenses, redundant tools, and unnecessary technology spending.

Whether you are a business owner, IT leader, or part of a small team wearing multiple hats, this episode will help you identify the repetitive workflows consuming your team’s time and decide whether AI is the right solution.

The biggest takeaway: rolling out AI slowly and strategically is often the fastest path to meaningful results.

Plus, get a preview of Tech + Tequila Live in West Texas and hear Emilio’s answers to Kat’s rapid-fire questions about AI tools, tequila, and what kind of tequila Netrix would be.

What happens when your Wi-Fi crashes, your phones stop working, or your employees can’t access the systems they need to do their jobs?

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby (“Your Techie Chica”) breaks down why business networking, Wi-Fi, firewalls, internet connectivity, and network infrastructure are some of the most important and misunderstood parts of modern business.

Inspired by a recent event with Meter, Kat explains how fully managed networking works, what “vertically integrated networking” actually means, and why choosing the right network strategy can reduce downtime, improve security, and save your business thousands of dollars in lost productivity.

Whether you’re a business owner, operations leader, or IT professional, this episode will help you make smarter technology decisions without the tech jargon.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your network is the foundation of your business
• What vertically integrated networking actually means
• The hidden costs of poor Wi-Fi, outdated hardware, and unmanaged firmware
• How centralized network management reduces downtime
• Why installation quality matters as much as the hardware itself
• How AI is helping IT teams troubleshoot network issues
• The difference between CapEx and OpEx networking models
• Questions every business should ask before upgrading its network
• Why planning your network before moving offices can save time, money, and frustration

Key Takeaway

Technology isn’t about buying the newest hardware, it’s about building a strategy that keeps your business secure, productive, and ready to grow.

That’s why, at Shelby Technology Solutions, we believe in Strategy Before Software. The right technology isn’t the one with the most features, it’s the one that solves your business problems.

Tequila of the Episode: La Gritona Tequila (if that’s the featured bottle otherwise update with the correct tequila.)

Connect with Kat Lopez Shelby

https://www.shelbyts.com

Follow Shelby Technology Solutions on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook

New episodes every week covering AI, cybersecurity, business technology, cloud, connectivity, and practical tech advice for growing businesses.

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Because around here, we believe in Strategy Before Software, Tech Made Simple con Corazón, and helping businesses make smarter technology decisions without the tech jargon, pressure, or mansplaining.

Hola, Hola familia! In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Kelli E Ballou-McMillan, Chief Technology Officer at Legacy TSD, for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, representation, AI, and what it truly takes to build a lasting legacy in the technology channel.

Kelli shares how Legacy TSD is helping aspiring technology advisors and entrepreneurs learn the business side of the channel from building a company and developing a sales process to choosing the right technology partners and serving clients strategically.

We talk about why representation must go beyond simply having a seat at the table and create real opportunities for ownership, generational wealth, and long-term economic mobility. We also break down how to evaluate technology without getting distracted by shiny objects, why AI cannot fix a broken process, and why customer readiness should always come before implementation.

Kelli also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Legacy TSD’s 12-week program, which combines self-paced education, mentorship, supplier relationships, sales training, and a supportive community designed to help new advisors avoid common roadblocks and grow faster.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Building a technology business with the right foundation

• Creating generational wealth through entrepreneurship

• Moving from representation to ownership

• Choosing strategic technology and supplier partners

• Why you should never automate a broken process

• Evaluating AI based on business readiness not hype

• The importance of mentorship, community, and succession planning

• Why women and underrepresented leaders are needed in technology

• Protecting your reputation and being intentional about your personal brand

Whether you’re already working in technology, thinking about starting your own business, or wondering how AI will shape the future of your organization, this conversation is filled with practical advice, honest perspective, and plenty of corazón.

Learn more about Legacy TSD:

LegacyTSD.com

Connect with Kelly:

LinkedIn: Kelli E Ballou-McMillan

Learn more about Shelby Technology 

Solutions:

Website: www.shelbyts.com

Ready to make your technology work for your business instead of against it?

Book a free 30-minute technology conversation with Shelby Technology Solutions.

Follow Tech + Tequila!

Instagram: @shelbytechsolutions

LinkedIn: Shelby Technology Solutions

YouTube: Shelby Technology Solutions

Connect with Kat Lopez Shelby “Your Techie Chica”

LinkedIn: Kat Lopez Shelby

Instagram: @shelbytechsolutions

Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, rate the show, and share this episode with someone who is ready to build their business, strengthen their brand, and create a legacy that lasts.

Everyone is talking about AI.

But here's what most business owners are getting wrong...

The companies getting hacked today aren't failing because they don't have enough AI. They're getting breached because they're skipping the cybersecurity basics.

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Your Techie Chica, Kat Lopez Shelby, breaks down the biggest lessons from Verizon's 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) and explains why strong technology foundations matter more than chasing the newest AI tools.

You'll discover:

• Why phishing and stolen passwords are still the #1 way businesses get hacked
• How AI is helping cybercriminals move faster—and what you can do about it
• The five cybersecurity fundamentals every business should have in place
• How to know if your business is actually AI-ready before investing in another tool
• Practical, jargon-free advice to help you protect your business while using AI to grow smarter, not just faster.

If you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, executive, or technology leader trying to balance innovation with security, this episode is for you.

Because the future doesn't belong to the businesses with the most AI.

It belongs to the businesses with the strongest foundation.

Grab your favorite tequila (or mocktail), and let's get into it.

Stop Shrinking. Start Leading. A Real Talk with Dr. Syreeta Rios on Tech, Life & Power Description: Techie Chica Kat Lopez-Shelby sits down with Dr. Syreeta Rios—PMP, tech leader, fashion entrepreneur, author of Unleash Your Inner Bad Bitch, and career mom who is redefining what it looks like to lead, create, and thrive without shrinking herself to fit into traditional spaces.

Dr. Syreeta’s journey moves through corporate tech at a global scale, personal reinvention, motherhood, and building a bold identity that blends strategy with style. She breaks down how project management became more than a career skill and evolved into a way of living—helping her navigate work, home life, and everything in between with clarity and intention.

The conversation explores what it means to be the only woman or person of color in the room and still choose to speak up, even when self-doubt tries to take over. It also unpacks the pressure of perfection, the reality of burnout, and the emotional weight many women carry when balancing ambition with motherhood and identity.

There is also a deeper look into the “guilt audit” concept and why so many women struggle with feeling like they have to choose between being present at home and being fully present in their careers. Dr. Syreeta challenges that belief and shares how reframing guilt can open the door to freedom, confidence, and growth.

The discussion also brings project management into everyday life in a practical way, showing how structure, organization, and clear thinking can be used far beyond the workplace to manage time, priorities, and personal goals.

This conversation is direct, reflective, and rooted in real experience. It speaks to women navigating leadership, identity, creativity, and responsibility while trying to remain fully themselves in every space they enter.

 Tech + Tequila is going LIVE in Austin!

Join us June 25 at Mexican Sugar in ATX for an in-person night of real talk, tech strategy, and yes, tequila. Get your spot @shelbytechsolutions.

Artificial intelligence just got a surprising new voice,  the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas is the Catholic Church's official statement on AI, human dignity, and technology ethics. And buried inside this landmark document are three ideas every small business owner and entrepreneur needs to hear right now.

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, your Techie Chica breaks it all down, no theology degree required. We're talking about:

• Why AI tools are never neutral and what that means for your business decisions

• How automation can quietly erode the human relationships that make your business stand out

• The AI access divide affecting women founders and underserved entrepreneurs and what to do about it

Whether you're a woman founder, a Latina entrepreneur, or a business owner trying to cut through the AI hype, this episode gives you a clear, practical lens for using technology on your own terms.

Grab your favorite tequila (or mocktail) and let's get into it.

 Tech + Tequila is going LIVE in Austin!

Join us June 25 at Mexican Sugar in ATX for an in-person night of real talk, tech strategy, and yes, tequila. Get your spot @shelbytechsolutions.

Why do some entrepreneurs keep growing while others disappear when things get hard?

This week on Tech + Tequila, Kat sits down with entrepreneur, business mentor, podcast host, and manifestation expert Mikayla Jai to talk about the mindset, systems, and visibility strategies that helped her build a thriving online business—even through life’s toughest seasons.

From living in what she jokingly calls the “raccoon house” to building a successful online brand and coaching business, Mikayla shares the mindset shifts, content strategies, and daily disciplines that transformed her life and business.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why self-image influences every business decision you make

The secret to staying consistent on social media when motivation disappears

Content pillars vs. niching down and which approach creates sustainable growth

The systems Mikayla uses to create content without burnout

The tech tools helping her streamline her business

Why convenience can quietly cost you sales opportunities

How to protect your mental health while staying visible online

If you’re struggling with consistency, content creation, visibility, or believing you’re capable of reaching your next level, this episode delivers practical strategies and mindset shifts you can put into action immediately.

As always, we’re blending business, technology, entrepreneurship, and real-life lessons served with a side of tequila.

Plus, we’re pouring Código 1530 Rosa Blanco Tequila, courtesy of BCN, a smooth, floral, twice-distilled tequila that’s as unforgettable as this conversation.

Connect with Mikayla Jai

Instagram: @themikaylajai

Podcast: Mindset Magic & Manifestation Podcast

MikaylaJai.com

Connect with Kat

Instagram & TikTok: @shelbytechsolutions

ShelbyTS.com

Join Us Live!

Tech + Tequila Live is happening June 25th from 4–6 PM at Mexican Sugar in Austin, TX.

Enjoy a live podcast recording, tequila tasting, and real conversations about AI, cybersecurity, business growth, and community.

Reserve your spot today! 

*Tech + Tequila = where technology meets community, con corazón.