Today we’d like to introduce you to Miguel Avalos.
Hi Miguel , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My business partner, Javier, and I have worked together at a luxury resort in Santa Barbara for the past 11 years. While Javier built his career as a server and bartender, I worked as a room supervisor. Over the years, we became close friends, often talking about work, life, and our dreams for the future, but owning a business together was never part of the plan.
After graduating from college, I took my first leap into entrepreneurship. In 2019, I opened a small taqueria with the dream of building something of my own. Javier became one of our biggest supporters, frequently bringing coworkers, friends, and family to the restaurant. Unfortunately, when the pandemic hit, along with challenges involving my business partners, I made the difficult decision to sell my share of the business to my partner at the time. Just two months later, the taqueria closed its doors. Watching something I had poured so much time, energy, and passion into come to an end was heartbreaking. After that experience, I shifted my focus back to my hospitality career and honestly thought my chapter as a business owner had come to an end.
Then one day, Javier invited a few friends and coworkers over for a barbecue at his house. During the conversation, he mentioned that he had agreed to bartend a private party for a friend. I asked him if he was getting paid, and he said no because it was simply a favor. I immediately asked, “Have you ever thought about charging for your services? You could actually make a living doing this?” He smiled and told me that his dream had always been to own a bar or something similar.
At that moment, everything clicked. I told him, “What if we make that dream a reality together? What if we partner up and create a mobile bar company?” I explained that I could bring the entrepreneurial experience I had gained from my previous business, while he could contribute his years of bartending expertise and passion for hospitality.
As we shared the idea with everyone at the barbecue, our friends and coworkers became genuinely excited. They believed in the vision from the very beginning and encouraged us to go for it. Their excitement and confidence gave us the final push we needed to stop talking about it and actually take the leap. Looking back, that backyard barbecue didn’t just spark an idea—it became the place where 805 Mixology was truly born.
From that day on, we began building what would become 805 Mixology. We spent countless hours planning how the business would operate, developing our brand, and refining every detail. We started by serving friends and family as a side business, learning and improving with every event. Little by little, word spread throughout the Santa Barbara community. As our reputation grew and more clients trusted us with their special events, we realized this was more than just a side hustle—it had become our passion and our future.
Today, 805 Mixology is built on the belief that great bartending is about much more than making cocktails. It’s about creating memorable experiences, delivering exceptional hospitality, and helping people celebrate life’s most important moments. Looking back, it’s incredible to think that a simple conversation between two friends at a backyard barbecue turned into the business we’re proud to continue growing today.
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that sometimes your greatest opportunities come when you least expect them. What felt like the end of one dream became the beginning of another, and we’re grateful every day that we had the courage—and the support of the people around us—to take that first step.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When Javier and I launched 805 Mixology, we were both still working full-time in hospitality. Building a business while balancing demanding careers meant sacrificing evenings, weekends, and much of our personal time. Every event required careful planning, and many late nights were spent designing our brand, creating cocktail menus, meeting with clients, and preparing for upcoming events.
Like any new business, earning people’s trust was another challenge. Without a long list of reviews or a large portfolio at the beginning, we had to let our work speak for itself. We focused on providing exceptional service at every event, knowing that one happy client could lead to another. That commitment to quality helped us grow through word of mouth, which continues to be one of our greatest sources of new business.
One lesson we’ve learned is that challenges aren’t roadblocks—they’re opportunities to grow. Every obstacle has made us better business owners, and every event reminds us why we took the leap in the first place.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
805 Mixology is a luxury mobile bartending company serving Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, and the surrounding Central Coast. We specialize in bringing the cocktail experience directly to our clients by creating customized bar services for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and celebrations of all sizes.
What sets us apart is that we don’t simply serve drinks—we create an experience. Our backgrounds in luxury hospitality have shaped everything we do. With over a decade of experience working at one of Santa Barbara’s premier resorts, we’ve learned that exceptional service is found in the details. From the first consultation to the final cocktail, our goal is to make every guest feel welcomed and every host feel confident that their event is in good hands.
Every event is unique, which is why we customize our cocktail menus, bar presentation, garnishes, and overall service to reflect our clients’ vision. Whether it’s an elegant wedding, a corporate gathering, or an intimate backyard celebration, we believe the bar should become part of the experience—not just a place where drinks are served.
One thing we’re especially proud of is that we’ve grown primarily through word of mouth. The trust our clients place in us and the referrals they’ve shared with their friends and families have been the greatest compliment we could ask for. It reminds us that consistency, professionalism, and genuine hospitality will always speak louder than advertising.
As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same: to elevate every celebration through exceptional service, handcrafted cocktails, and unforgettable experiences. We want people to remember not only the drinks they enjoyed, but how they felt throughout the event. That’s what 805 Mixology is all about.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One thing that surprises many people is that 805 Mixology isn’t our full-time job—at least not yet. Javier and I still work together at a luxury resort in Santa Barbara, where we’ve each spent more than 11 years in hospitality. Javier works as a server and bartender, while I work as a room supervisor.
People often assume that bartending is simply about making great cocktails, but our backgrounds have taught us that true hospitality is about creating an experience. The attention to detail, professionalism, and guest service we learned in luxury hospitality are the same standards we bring to every event we serve.
Another surprise is that 805 Mixology was never part of some long-term business plan. It all started with a simple conversation at a friend’s barbecue. What began as an idea between two friends quickly turned into a passion project, then a side business, and today it’s growing into something we hope will become one of the Central Coast’s premier mobile bartending companies.
It’s a reminder that sometimes the biggest opportunities come from the most unexpected conversations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.805Mixology.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/805mixology?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
