We had the good fortune of connecting with Lizeth Solis and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lizeth, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process from starting my own business was when I was hanging out with my friends at a bar and one of my friends ordered a Michelada. I loved how it was presented and decided to try it and I thought it tasted artificial. How can something look so good, taste so bad? Since then, I have tried different brands of Micheladas to see if the taste differs from the brands of Micheladas, but unfortunately they all taste the same. They all had the same bitter, burnt throat taste, and none of them were done naturally. So that’s when I decided, if I can’t find what I’m looking for, then I might as well make it myself. A natural, no chemical preservatives, and vegan version. I decided to share my mix to people that kept visiting and was getting a lot of positive feedback. That’s when it really hit me, that this is what I should pursue in a business. Around that time, I heard about a Michelada festival within that month. I was super anxious. I found my passion and it seemed it was a calling. The requirements had a super tight deadline, but it was a challenge I was willing to take. In 22 days, I was able to create a name and logo, sign up my business in Houston, get jars, print the labels, start making big batches of the mix, while I was still perfecting the recipe since I kept changing it, along with a full time job. Nothing is impossible and in less than a month, I was able to start my business.
Do you have a budget? How do you think about your personal finances and how do you make lifestyle and spending decisions?
When it comes to personal finances, I am my own investor. I was serious about moving my company forward so I had to cut back on a lot of habits such as going out to restaurants, hanging out at bars, and most entertainment. I still let myself go out every once in a while, then covid hit, and I was forced to stay at home. All the things that I was trying to cut off, actually did get cut off. I saw covid as something to take very seriously and decided to do all business related work online. My job allowed me to work from home and I decided to make changes in my life. Switched to delivering my product instead of being in festivals, started working out, made more home cooked healthy meals, and used my extra cash to do online business schooling and get all the permits/licenses I needed for the business. People are constantly saying that starting a business is the hardest part. I don’t think that’s true at all. To keep going and being consistent is the hardest. I do believe covid actually made me a better person with my expenses. Till this day, I still am cautious with my money and prefer eating more at home now.
How do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
I have always been a risk taker. I am not afraid of change and always open to new possibilities. I’ve traveled and lived in Europe for a couple years. Being in Europe, I was introduced to a wide variety of foods and drinks that I never got to experience in the U.S. It’s actually where I started enjoying alcohol for the first time. Looking back, that’s when I realized I wanted that quality in my own drinks. I feel a lot of people are afraid of change and to do something new. We don’t know how long we’re going to be in this world, so we might as well make as many experiences as possible and do the things we truly want to do. Start that business, travel, play an instrument, work out, socialize more. What are you waiting for? Go out there and live!
Where are you from and how did your background and upbringing impact who you are today?
Born and raised in The Woodlands, Texas. My parents are in the middle class and live in a traditional way. My dad is the breadwinner, while my mom stays at home and takes care of the children. The older I got, the more I was seeing that women are more capable than just being a stay-at-home mom. I know some women want that, but that just isn’t for me. Don’t like the idea of relying on someone else either. I enjoy making my own money, my own decisions, and most importantly, I enjoy being independent. A couple years ago, I was going through a rough breakup and decided to start playing piano. I was always fascinated with it and I wanted to do something in my spare time instead of feeling sad. I hired a private teacher and she’s one of the best role models I’ve ever had. She taught me discipline and she also taught me that I’m capable of doing anything as long as I put time and effort. So when it was time to create a business, I had that mindset that I was able to do it. I will always thank her for that.
What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
To have self discipline, dedication, and goals. Don’t be a talker, be a do-er. Say something, put an end goal, and make it happen. Once you’ve been doing it for a while, it becomes second nature and you start getting the hang of it. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible. I’m not saying that you should set goals in a short amount of time. I’m saying put realistic goals that you know you can manage along with everything else that you’re doing in your life. Baby steps are better than no steps at all.
What value or principle matters most to you? Why?
Having more natural products out there. There’s not a lot of selection in the grocery store that is completely natural, especially in the cocktail section. I know I’m only one product, but I want to change that and I want people to be able to taste quality and live a better life because of it.
Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
My balance has changed since I started the business. I’m always thinking about it. If I’m not doing my full-time job, I’m doing something for my business. But lately, I’ve been missing my friends so now I’m adding that back. I did forget that I am a true extrovert and get a lot of energy by being around people. It’s good for me and it’s honestly good for everyone that is in my position. Don’t leave your friends, your partner, and your family behind. It’s healthy to have them around and honestly to keep you going. People need each other.
What’s the end goal? Where do you want to be professionally by the end of your career?
To be all over the U.S. and more! Leaving my other job and making this my full time and I do believe in my product. With a lot of dedication and hard work, I can make it happen. I won’t be able to do it tomorrow, but someday. I just have to keep going. I also would like to live a life where I don’t have to worry about money and if I could retire early, even better. I have so many hobbies and goals, I would be able to keep myself occupied in peace and still have fun.
Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
It’s in my blood. Ever since I was little, I’ve been creative. My first passion is drawing and I still do that today. I am the one that created the character on the label. She is my heart and soul. I also enjoy cooking, taking pictures, drinking, and being around people. I feel my business gets me to do all of those things at once and I love it.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe my brand is different in many ways. There’s no natural, no chemical preservatives, and vegan Michelada Mix in Houston so I am the first. I also feel I have an advantage in being an artist as my first job. I have an eye for detail and visualization. I’ve been getting into all kinds of fields because of my business. Taking my own photos, being a director for my short commercials, drawing my logo character, and of course making the mix. It’s not easy all the time since my business is my 2nd job for now, so I am constantly working and a lot of times, it’s tiring. But I don’t enjoy giving up easily. I tell myself that I can do this repeatedly and I keep on going. The lessons I’ve learned is anyone can be the person in their dreams as long as you believe in yourself, work hard, have discipline, commitment, and to not quit. You’ll get there eventually. Start small like working for an hour on your business a week. Then switching it to a couple hours the more you get used to it.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a gamer at heart so I’ll definitely take them either to Cidercade, Dave and Busters, or Tea and Victory. If they want to go bar hopping, we can go to Main Street, Midtown, or just take them to Axelrad or Neil’s Bahr. We can go to a concert, karaoke, catch a local comedy show, or see Crystal Beach. If we just want to chill, drink some tea/coffee and eat sweets, we can go to Agora, Tout Suite, or CommonBond.
It’s hard to choose a selection of restaurants since there’s so many good ones out there but I do enjoy Aladdin, Miyako, and Hopdoddy.
I’ll also take their interest and do what they want to do as well. Anything that we can both have a good time, create great memories, I’m up for it. The world is our oyster!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shout out to my friends Audrey, Brandon, Steven, Dora, my piano teacher Violetta, and my business coach Ainsley for the constant support and for helping me get to where I am.
Website: lmchingona.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lmchingona/
Facebook: facebook.com/lmchingona/