Local Entrepreneur Marks First Anniversary by Uniting Businesses at Mega Mixer

-Editorial 

What began as a first-anniversary celebration for a local coffee shop grew into a showcase of entrepreneurship, as Coffee Bean Factory/Roaster’s Cafe Bar owner Guillermo Salgado brought together dozens of locally owned businesses for a Mega Mixer at Prestige Event Center.

For Salgado, the event reflected more than a milestone for his business. It embodied a longtime passion for supporting entrepreneurs and creating opportunities for local businesses to connect

“I like bringing people together,” Salgado said. “Having people come together for business, getting to know each other, building a network and community, so we can all figure out how to succeed by helping each other out.”

Salgado opened Coffee Bean Factory/Roaster’s Cafe Bar a year ago inside 4:13 Fitness after years of working in business development, higher education and event planning. Although he earned a master’s degree in business administration, he said he did not feel prepared to launch his own company until recently.

“I was a late bloomer in every aspect of business,” Salgado said. “I’ve been only a year in the game in the coffee shop inside of 4:13 Fitness, and it’s been a good experience. It’s been an adventure.”

A part-time business instructor at Imperial Valley College, Salgado said owning a business has given him practical experience he now shares with students. Before opening the coffee shop, he spent eight years as a business development coordinator with the state’s employment services, helping employers recruit workers and organize job fairs. Those relationships helped build the network he relies on today.

He also developed a reputation for organizing community events, including comedy shows featuring nationally known entertainers. Even so, Salgado said he prefers not to be known simply as a promoter.

“I’m a family guy,” he said. “I like doing events here and there.”

His interest in coffee developed over decades of consuming caffeinated drinks while maintaining an active lifestyle. Living near 4:13 Fitness, he saw an opportunity when an unused space became available inside the gym.

“I realized it was a good fit,” Salgado said. “I saw this blank canvas, connected the dots, called friends, and figured it out. I’m very resourceful, and I’m able to leverage partnerships. That’s my thing. I’m not good at anything, but I know people, so I connect the dots.”

The first year of business has reinforced the challenges many small business owners face, particularly balancing work and family life while striving for profitability.

“It’s tough,” Salgado said. “The tug of war between family time and business is tough. I’m trying to figure out the right percentage of time to spend in the business versus with the family.”

Even with those challenges, he considers creating jobs a meaningful accomplishment.

“Offering employment to somebody is a win,” he said. “Even if I don’t have money in my pocket, it’s still a win for year one.”

Looking ahead, Salgado hopes to expand through low-overhead locations and pop-up concepts that allow the business to test new markets before committing to permanent storefronts.

Among the businesses participating in the event at Mobile Buzzed Bar, was Karla Andrea Hernandez and her husband, whose entrepreneurial journey reflected the resilience and determination Salgado hoped to showcase.

“The customer invested money in me and my business, so I need to make sure their investment goes a long way,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez founded Mobile Buzzed Bar in 2017 after spending more than a decade bartending at several well-known local restaurants. She said the business grew from a difficult chapter in her life after losing her home, when bartending became the source of income that helped her move forward.

“Bartending and having my tips kept me moving and going forward,” she said. “That’s why I have this business today with a lot of passion, energy and the best quality, whether it’s with ingredients, customer service, setup or every detail.”

She said every event begins with the same mindset.

“I feel excited because I’m going to party with everybody,” Hernandez said. “You have to bring that positive attitude.”

Now operating her own business, Hernandez said the greatest reward comes from seeing satisfied customers return and recommend Mobile Buzzed Bar to others.

“I love it,” she said. “Seeing smiles, knowing everybody is measuring the alcohol correctly, giving great customer service and having clients return all the time means everything.”

Prestige Event Center banquet and events coordinator Ernesto Quintero said hosting the Mega Mixer was a natural fit for Salgado, whom he described as a longtime advocate for local businesses and community events. Quintero congratulated Salgado on reaching his first anniversary in business, saying the gathering reflected his commitment to bringing entrepreneurs together. “He’s always been active, supportive with the community, with business owners and events,” Quintero said. “We were more than happy to have him here for the first anniversary and mixer.”

Quintero said Prestige Event Center continues to expand its offerings, hosting private celebrations and business functions, including weddings, quinceañeras, baby showers, corporate events and training sessions. He said inquiries for bookings have increased in recent months. Quintero recently joined the venue to assist with events and support Saltcedar Barbecue, the on-site restaurant operated by his friend Daniel Hughes, who has been at the venue for about six months.

Victoria Diaz, owner of Divine Desserts, said she launched her home-based baking business about a year ago after returning home from college and building on her family’s entrepreneurial roots. Her mother owns Divine Designs, while Diaz specializes in baked goods including cookies, brownies, coffee cakes and muffins. “The response has been very good,” Diaz said. “I’m very grateful and blessed for the continued support in the community, supporting my business.” She said baking has been a lifelong passion and that starting the business allowed her to turn “a dream into reality.”

The mixer featured networking, a DJ, raffles, and a mix of local connections in a lively atmosphere.