Boy what a fun evening!

They found me with a random google search for Tapas cooking classes in Denver, and I'm sure glad they did! Last night was the reason I host these classes....for excited, beautiful people,  to unite, for one purpose: FOOD.

The two co-hosts invited three other couples, some who may or may not have known each other. We all had an interest in creating tapas...drinking sangria and other choice wine and beer...

They had literally never met me, but had faith that I would present an evening that friends and family could be together laughing and enjoying each other's company while centering everything around food and learning.

Seriously. My favorite thing is to bring people together around food. 

My favorite thing to prepare are tapas.

My favorite cuisine is Spanish food.

My favorite activity is to cook!t did you learn from us?"

These classes will probably be offered a little more often...what an amazing group. As we finished the night presenting the dishes they made, I asked to also share something they learned with the group. Of course they flipped the question back on me.."What did you learn from us?" My response: I learned how amazing it is to meet a new group of people and be able to have fun and learn together. Seriously, their energy, curiosity, and laughter energized me and I'm already anxiously awaiting our next class together! Thank yoU!

With the current events of the #metoo movement, it was ever so timely to go to this workshop/presentation put on by Women Who Startup. It's like there is so much turmoil from the past being brought to the surface, women and people speaking up...we don't know how to work through it. (That's pretty much where I've been at with the business...so much going on and no tools and experience to process it.)

The events are founded by Lizelle VanVurren, sho started her first group of entrepreneurial women in 2013 and has now grown the group to host monthly speakers, a summit during Denver Startup Week and 6 minute solutions. All of her programs are directed towards giving women sponsorship and opportunity in a world created and sustained by men(not always a bad thing). But encouraging women to become powerful and bold and run with their ideas. (We need both!)

I loved every word that came out of her mouth. Strong, bold, empowering..to say the least. Luckily, in my lifetime, I have yet to feel like I "can't," do something. Maybe from the encouraging words of my parents, that I could do anything and go anywhere I wanted...or maybe its just something you're born with. As Lizelle put it, "we're bulldozers." We have ideas that we don't take no for an answer, or we just don't stop till we find a solution. She's spotlighting women entrepreneurs and breaking down how they got to where they are, and who they really are.

Last night she interviewed the CEO of @kitables Arieanne DeFazio..an ex-scientist, young personality who thought it would be better to give people an experience by building their own projects; give them all the tools and empower people of all ages to build; backwards in a way, instead of an app, give them a hands on-do-it-yourself kit. I love it!  Anyways, listening to her speak about not knowing anything about finance and crowdfunding when she started..and the fact that she is three years in (where we are as a catering business), really helped me focus on "taking the legos and building."

I (Mezcla Maggie) am at this odd stage where we need to grow the business, but giving up the reins on the "Do everything yourself," roller coaster...is mentally going to be the hardest thing. Finding the right people, to trust with the "baby." I can't really fathom it until it happens...but it's happening. I can't resist growth. That's what we are here for. To learn, to grow, to innovate...hence being an entrepreneur. "We have a giant sandbox, now let's build a fucking castle."

​More reflection to come...

Hopefully, I am not speaking prematurely, but we finished up with our last wedding of the season last night.

A simple menu but one that anyone could enjoy.
BYO Pasta Bar including bowtie pasta and penne pasta with choice of chicken based alfredo sauce or vegetarian base; mix-ins including diced tomato, grilled chicken, parmesan cheese, sauteed crimini mushrooms, and broccoli florets. BYO Slider Bar with beef pucks, cheddar, provolone and swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion along with ketchup and mustard. Appetizers including rainbow fruit kabobs, parmesan and spinach stuffed mushrooms, corn chips, salsa and guacamole along with a no-tomato Brushetta Bar of Basil Aioli, Roasted Red Pepper Feta and Olive Tapenade! Even pulled out the good ole S'mores Bar.

Chelsey and Jonathan were easy to plan with and celebrated their ceremony in Estes Park yesterday and the reception at the Knights of Columbus in Fort Collins.

BYO Bars are great for an affordable wedding, but we spiced it up having our men in black serve! See pictures below with credits to Rich Smith for capturing;)
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Putting A Puzzle Together without a Picture.. sounds difficult and intimidating...DO IT ANYWAY!

Today we shared some inspirational messages with each other over baked fall goodies and chatter. We exchanged clothing and packed the rest up to donate to Good Will. It's always wonderful to pass on your favorite possessions when they've outgrown your style or comfort, and even better to know they are going to those in need.

An important question I posed to the group present today was "What can I do for you?"

Often we are so concerned with helping others, we neglect ourselves. Now, I'm not asking that you be conceited or selfish here...but I'm asking you to consider what YOU could use help with. It's OKAY to receive help and it's OKAY to ask for it. Sometimes we outsiders, don't pick up what you could be laying down. In fact, you might not even know...so it's important to check in and ask this of yourself. So...take some time..."What can I do for you?"


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Our business highlighted this week was Sasha Daraskevius and her stylist career. She has recently changed locations from styling at Belle * Beau in downtown Denver, to her new home in Rosewood HairStudio. Women cuts are just $35---that's a steal! We were fortunate enough to get her to do a little pop up style shop today for the Genius Sister's to take advantage of! Cut off a little extra baggage before heading into the fall season, feeling a little lighter!:) Thanks Sasha!  Get in touch with her 303-920-HAIR or www.rosewoodhairstudio.com

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​Our next meeting will highlight the dance momma Alli Douglas as she shows us how to be confident and free with our bodies with movement! NOT to be missed. The meetup will be help Sunday, October 22nd, 10am sharp! And our new members have even proposed a cooking class with a few of our professional chefs!!