Tech + Tequila

Kat Shelby

Thank you for joining me today for Tech and Tequila. If you are new this is the place where we talk about Tech and Sometimes have a wonderful Tequila drink. The idea is I want you when you think of your tech stack to enjoy a nice tequila drink, not feel you need a drink because your tech is not working for you. Tech and Tequila is the place to learn about what Tech can do for your business and how it can help you connect with your customer’s and your bottom line of ROI. So, whether you have a small medium or big business. This is the podcast for you.

  1. 1d ago

    Before You Buy Another AI Tool, Fix These 5 Cybersecurity Mistakes First!

    Everyone is talking about AI. But here's what most business owners are getting wrong... The companies getting hacked today aren't failing because they don't have enough AI. They're getting breached because they're skipping the cybersecurity basics. In this episode of Tech + Tequila, Your Techie Chica, Kat Lopez Shelby, breaks down the biggest lessons from Verizon's 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) and explains why strong technology foundations matter more than chasing the newest AI tools. You'll discover: Why phishing and stolen passwords are still the #1 way businesses get hacked How AI is helping cybercriminals move faster—and what you can do about it The five cybersecurity fundamentals every business should have in place How to know if your business is actually AI-ready before investing in another tool Practical, jargon-free advice to help you protect your business while using AI to grow smarter, not just faster. If you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, executive, or technology leader trying to balance innovation with security, this episode is for you. Because the future doesn't belong to the businesses with the most AI. It belongs to the businesses with the strongest foundation. Grab your favorite tequila (or mocktail), and let's get into it.

    44 min

  2. Jun 23

    Stop Shrinking. Start Leading. A Real Talk with Dr. Syreeta Rios on Tech, Life & Power

    Stop Shrinking. Start Leading. A Real Talk with Dr. Syreeta Rios on Tech, Life & Power Description: Techie Chica Kat Lopez-Shelby sits down with Dr. Syreeta Rios—PMP, tech leader, fashion entrepreneur, author of Unleash Your Inner Bad Bitch, and career mom who is redefining what it looks like to lead, create, and thrive without shrinking herself to fit into traditional spaces. Dr. Syreeta’s journey moves through corporate tech at a global scale, personal reinvention, motherhood, and building a bold identity that blends strategy with style. She breaks down how project management became more than a career skill and evolved into a way of living—helping her navigate work, home life, and everything in between with clarity and intention. The conversation explores what it means to be the only woman or person of color in the room and still choose to speak up, even when self-doubt tries to take over. It also unpacks the pressure of perfection, the reality of burnout, and the emotional weight many women carry when balancing ambition with motherhood and identity. There is also a deeper look into the “guilt audit” concept and why so many women struggle with feeling like they have to choose between being present at home and being fully present in their careers. Dr. Syreeta challenges that belief and shares how reframing guilt can open the door to freedom, confidence, and growth. The discussion also brings project management into everyday life in a practical way, showing how structure, organization, and clear thinking can be used far beyond the workplace to manage time, priorities, and personal goals. This conversation is direct, reflective, and rooted in real experience. It speaks to women navigating leadership, identity, creativity, and responsibility while trying to remain fully themselves in every space they enter.  Tech + Tequila is going LIVE in Austin! Join us June 25 at Mexican Sugar in ATX for an in-person night of real talk, tech strategy, and yes, tequila. Get your spot @shelbytechsolutions.

    54 min

  3. Jun 19

    Dios Mío, Even the Pope Is Talking About AI! "Pope's AI Manifesto"

    Artificial intelligence just got a surprising new voice,  the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas is the Catholic Church's official statement on AI, human dignity, and technology ethics. And buried inside this landmark document are three ideas every small business owner and entrepreneur needs to hear right now. In this episode of Tech + Tequila, your Techie Chica breaks it all down, no theology degree required. We're talking about: • Why AI tools are never neutral and what that means for your business decisions • How automation can quietly erode the human relationships that make your business stand out • The AI access divide affecting women founders and underserved entrepreneurs and what to do about it Whether you're a woman founder, a Latina entrepreneur, or a business owner trying to cut through the AI hype, this episode gives you a clear, practical lens for using technology on your own terms. Grab your favorite tequila (or mocktail) and let's get into it.  Tech + Tequila is going LIVE in Austin! Join us June 25 at Mexican Sugar in ATX for an in-person night of real talk, tech strategy, and yes, tequila. Get your spot @shelbytechsolutions.

    25 min

  4. Jun 10

    Showing Up, Standing Out & Scaling Up: Mikayla Jai’s Secrets to Visibility and Growth

    Why do some entrepreneurs keep growing while others disappear when things get hard? This week on Tech + Tequila, Kat sits down with entrepreneur, business mentor, podcast host, and manifestation expert Mikayla Jai to talk about the mindset, systems, and visibility strategies that helped her build a thriving online business—even through life’s toughest seasons. From living in what she jokingly calls the “raccoon house” to building a successful online brand and coaching business, Mikayla shares the mindset shifts, content strategies, and daily disciplines that transformed her life and business. In this episode, we discuss: Why self-image influences every business decision you make The secret to staying consistent on social media when motivation disappears Content pillars vs. niching down and which approach creates sustainable growth The systems Mikayla uses to create content without burnout The tech tools helping her streamline her business Why convenience can quietly cost you sales opportunities How to protect your mental health while staying visible online If you’re struggling with consistency, content creation, visibility, or believing you’re capable of reaching your next level, this episode delivers practical strategies and mindset shifts you can put into action immediately. As always, we’re blending business, technology, entrepreneurship, and real-life lessons served with a side of tequila. Plus, we’re pouring Código 1530 Rosa Blanco Tequila, courtesy of BCN, a smooth, floral, twice-distilled tequila that’s as unforgettable as this conversation. Connect with Mikayla Jai Instagram: @themikaylajai Podcast: Mindset Magic & Manifestation Podcast MikaylaJai.com Connect with Kat Instagram & TikTok: @shelbytechsolutions ShelbyTS.com Join Us Live! Tech + Tequila Live is happening June 25th from 4–6 PM at Mexican Sugar in Austin, TX. Enjoy a live podcast recording, tequila tasting, and real conversations about AI, cybersecurity, business growth, and community. Reserve your spot today!  *Tech + Tequila = where technology meets community, con corazón.

    56 min

  5. May 19

    Feeling Overwhelmed? Let’s Talk Mindset, AI & Human Connection

    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 realizesThe hidden cost of operating in survival modeHow technology can either support your mental health or drain itWhy intentional community matters more than everHow AI and technology should create more space, not more chaosPractical 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.

    25 min

  6. Apr 24

    How to Scale Your Business Without Burning Out | With Malissa Priddy

    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.

    48 min

  7. Apr 17

    The Truth About Online Communities No One Talks About

    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/

    45 min

  8. Apr 7

    AI for Small Business: What’s Actually Worth It (and What’s Just Hype)

    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.

    1h 7m
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About

Thank you for joining me today for Tech and Tequila. If you are new this is the place where we talk about Tech and Sometimes have a wonderful Tequila drink. The idea is I want you when you think of your tech stack to enjoy a nice tequila drink, not feel you need a drink because your tech is not working for you. Tech and Tequila is the place to learn about what Tech can do for your business and how it can help you connect with your customer’s and your bottom line of ROI. So, whether you have a small medium or big business. This is the podcast for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Kat Shelby
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kat Shelby
  • Show Website
    Tech + Tequila