In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby gets real about mindset, entrepreneurship, burnout, technology, and the importance of staying connected during uncertain times. 

Because let’s be honest…

A lot of entrepreneurs are carrying stress, overwhelm, pressure, and emotional exhaustion while still trying to lead businesses, support families, and keep showing up every single day.

In this conversation, Kat shares:

Why mindset impacts business growth more than most people realizes
The hidden cost of operating in survival mode
How technology can either support your mental health or drain it
Why intentional community matters more than ever
How AI and technology should create more space, not more chaos
Practical reminders for protecting your peace while still building your vision

This episode is honest, encouraging, relatable, and full of the kind of real conversations entrepreneurs need right now.

And of course… no Tech + Tequila episode would be complete without the tequila moment featuring Pocho Fino Grilled Pineapple. 

Whether you are a business owner, founder, leader, creative, or simply someone trying to navigate uncertain seasons with intention… this episode is your reminder that you are not meant to build alone.

Connect with Shelby Technology Solutions to learn more about how we help businesses simplify, secure, and scale technology with clarity, strategy, and corazón. Subscribe to Tech + Tequila on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby and Malissa Priddy dive into business strategy, business operations, scalable systems, and the structure founders need to grow with clarity. They explore structural debt, founder bottlenecks, revenue design, offer mapping, customer journey strategy, and why many small business tech stack issues are actually business systems problems. This episode is ideal for entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, online business owners, and founders who want to improve workflows, simplify operations, create predictable revenue, and scale their business without chaos or burnout. If you are looking for insights on business infrastructure, operational efficiency, systems thinking, leadership, and sustainable growth, this conversation delivers both strategy and real talk. And of course, Kat closes with a Tech + Tasting moment featuring Pocho Fino Grilled Pineapple tequila.

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby unpacks a truth many business owners overlook: community is not a platform, it’s a verb. If you’ve been weighing Circle, Skool, Kajabi, Mighty Networks, MemberUp, or Slack, this conversation goes beyond a simple software comparison and gets to the heart of what truly creates connection, engagement, and belonging in an online space.

Kat shares how to choose the right platform based on the kind of experience you want to create, the behavior you want to encourage, and the leadership real community requires. She also explores what actually makes people stay, participate, and feel supported once they join. And of course, she wraps the episode with a fun Tech + Tasting moment featuring Moment Strawberry Rose Barbie Edition.

This episode was inspired by the incredible Latinas in Podcasting community. You can learn more about this amazing space here: https://www.latinasinpodcasting.com/

Everybody is talking about AI, but not everything labeled “AI” is actually helping your business grow.

In this solo episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby breaks down what AI is truly worth using right now for small business owners, where it can save time, where it still needs human oversight, and how it can support customer service, marketing workflows, and internal operations. She also shares the biggest mistakes to avoid before adopting AI tools, so you can make smarter, more strategic technology decisions for your business without getting distracted by hype.

And of course, it wouldn’t be Tech + Tequila without a little sabor at the end  this week’s tequila segment features Pocho Fino Mexican Candy, a bold, nostalgic flavor moment that brings a little sweet, a little spice, and a whole lot of fun to close out the conversation. Three things to think about, one tequila to vibe with… because around here, we don’t just talk tech, we experience it.

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby sits down with Kim DeLaPena, Executive Director of Prosperity Employment Outreach, for a conversation about community impact, nonprofit leadership, opportunity, and purpose-driven work.

Together, they explore how organizations like Prosperity Employment Outreach create support, access, and real change for individuals and families in the community. Kim shares the heart behind the nonprofit, the importance of service, and why meaningful impact begins with showing up consistently.

If this episode speaks to you, there are several ways to support Prosperity Employment Outreach, by volunteering, donating, sharing their mission, or helping connect someone to their resources. To learn more and get involved, visit prosperityoutreach.org.

Plus, this episode also features a tequila tasting of Código 1530 Rosa, provided by BCN.

If you care about community leadership, nonprofit impact, and conversations that go deeper than business, this episode is for you.

Kat Lopez Shelby, founder of Shelby Technology Solutions and host of Tech + Tequila, sits down with Jim McNeese, founder of McNeese Kids, for a powerful conversation about the role community plays in shaping lives. While Tech + Tequila often focuses on cybersecurity, AI, and business systems, this episode explores something even more foundational: opportunity. Together, Kat and Jim discuss why investing in children and families strengthens entire communities, how business leaders can create meaningful impact beyond profit, and why showing up for the next generation matters more than ever.

In this episode, host Kat Lopez Shelby, founder of Shelby Technology Solutions and trusted tech advisor for small and mid-sized businesses, breaks down the cybersecurity questions every business owner should be asking before a breach happens. With the average cost of a data breach reaching $4.88 million, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue it’s a business survival issue. Kat walks through eight critical questions that help leaders identify vulnerabilities, strengthen security, train their teams, and ensure their cyber insurance and compliance requirements actually protect their company. If you run a business, manage sensitive data, or rely on technology to operate, this episode will help you replace assumptions with clarity and build a stronger cybersecurity foundation for your organization.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby sits down with Dr. Jenna W. Clack, co-creator of #YourDigitalBliss, to explore what it really means to “create space” in your life.

This conversation goes far beyond productivity hacks and surface-level self-care. Together, Kat and Dr. Jenna unpack how high-achievers can shift from surviving to truly living, by intentionally opening space in their schedules, their nervous systems, their mindset, and their daily habits.

Dr. Jenna shares her personal journey of learning to care for herself while building a thriving life and business, and offers grounded, real-world practices for integrating self-care into busy routines. They dive into intuition versus logic, overcoming overwhelm, cultivating self-compassion, and how inner alignment directly impacts your ability to take bold, mindful action toward your goals.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, exhausted, or like you’re “doing all the things” but still not fully living the life you want this episode is your invitation to pause, recalibrate, and design differently.

Because creating space isn’t about doing less.

It’s about living with intention.

Grab your favorite tequila, take a deep breath, and press play. 

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby sits down with Casey, of OpDecision aka the “cell phone bill whisperer” to uncover the hidden chaos living inside most corporate wireless bills.

If you think your company’s wireless expenses are “probably fine,” this conversation might surprise you.

They break down how businesses overspend on wireless plans, miss billing errors, lose visibility across devices, and waste internal time managing mobility. Casey explains how OpDecision helps companies optimize wireless costs, validate carrier rates, audit usage, eliminate billing mistakes, and regain control through data analytics, inventory management, invoice oversight, and streamlined administration.

From benchmarking corporate mobility plans to uncovering unauthorized charges and missed credits, this episode dives into wireless expense management strategies that can immediately reduce costs and operational headaches. They also explore how tools like Ten4 bill pay and process flow simplification prevent late fees, service interruptions, and unnecessary disruption.

Whether you’re a business owner, IT leader, or finance executive, this episode will help you rethink how your organization approaches wireless optimization, corporate mobility, and telecom cost control in 2026 and beyond.

And of course, because this is Tech + Tequila, we end with the signature tequila question: If OpDecision were a tequila, would it be smooth and refined, bold and no-nonsense, or surprisingly powerful?

Press play if you’re ready to fall back in love with your wireless strategy and stop letting your carrier run the show.

Music credits to: ROYALTY FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC⁠

In this episode of Tech + Tequila, host Kat Lopez Shelby sits down with Celeste Labrie, RVP of Partner Sales at Dialpad, for a real, grounded conversation about leadership that lasts and AI that actually works in the real world.

Celeste takes us behind the title, sharing her career origin story, the leadership lessons she learned the hard way, and how mentorship and community shaped her rise in the channel. From navigating barriers as a woman in tech to redefining success over time, this segment is equal parts honest, reflective, and empowering—yes, with a tequila metaphor or two along the way.

The conversation then shifts into the future of business communications and AI-powered customer experience. Celeste breaks down Dialpad’s long-standing AI-first approach, the critical difference between built-in AI versus “bolted-on” tools, and why that distinction matters for businesses looking to scale without burnout. Together, Kat and Celeste unpack Agentic AI in plain language—AI that doesn’t just listen and summarize, but actually takes action—helping teams work smarter, improve customer experience, and focus on higher-value work.

Looking ahead to 2026, they explore how customer expectations are evolving, what will soon become table stakes in business communications, and what truly next-level AI experiences will look like. The episode also dives into Dialpad’s partner ecosystem—what’s changing, how partners can stand out, and which types of partners are best positioned to thrive as AI becomes more embedded in everyday operations.

The episode closes with Celeste’s vision for Dialpad’s future and one lasting takeaway she hopes businesses remember as they navigate the next wave of AI and leadership transformation.

If you’re a business leader, channel partner, or trusted tech advisor looking for practical AI insights, thoughtful leadership perspective, and a clear view of what’s coming next—this episode delivers, Tech + Tequila style.

And familia, before we go: this episode flows right into the energy of the Latinas in Podcasting Summit, a space created to amplify Latina voices and help creators lead with confidence and comunidad. The summit brings together Latinas across podcasting, tech, and media to learn, collaborate, and grow—without shrinking or second-guessing their voice. It’s about claiming space, sharing your story, and building momentum together. Grab your pass, join the conversation, and come celebrate your voice https://kshelbytech--lip.thrivecart.com/2026-lip-lyv-vip-pass/

Music credits to: ROYALTY FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC⁠