Tech + Tequila

Kat Shelby
  • 5,0 (1)
  • TECHNOLOGIES
  • CHAQUE SEMAINE

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. -4 J

    The Future of AI-First Communications: Leadership, Partners & What’s Next

    In this episode of Tech + Tequila, host Kat Lopez Shelby sits down with Celeste Labrie, RVP of Partner Sales at Dialpad, for a real, grounded conversation about leadership that lasts and AI that actually works in the real world. Celeste takes us behind the title, sharing her career origin story, the leadership lessons she learned the hard way, and how mentorship and community shaped her rise in the channel. From navigating barriers as a woman in tech to redefining success over time, this segment is equal parts honest, reflective, and empowering—yes, with a tequila metaphor or two along the way. The conversation then shifts into the future of business communications and AI-powered customer experience. Celeste breaks down Dialpad’s long-standing AI-first approach, the critical difference between built-in AI versus “bolted-on” tools, and why that distinction matters for businesses looking to scale without burnout. Together, Kat and Celeste unpack Agentic AI in plain language—AI that doesn’t just listen and summarize, but actually takes action—helping teams work smarter, improve customer experience, and focus on higher-value work. Looking ahead to 2026, they explore how customer expectations are evolving, what will soon become table stakes in business communications, and what truly next-level AI experiences will look like. The episode also dives into Dialpad’s partner ecosystem—what’s changing, how partners can stand out, and which types of partners are best positioned to thrive as AI becomes more embedded in everyday operations. The episode closes with Celeste’s vision for Dialpad’s future and one lasting takeaway she hopes businesses remember as they navigate the next wave of AI and leadership transformation. If you’re a business leader, channel partner, or trusted tech advisor looking for practical AI insights, thoughtful leadership perspective, and a clear view of what’s coming next—this episode delivers, Tech + Tequila style. And familia, before we go: this episode flows right into the energy of the Latinas in Podcasting Summit, a space created to amplify Latina voices and help creators lead with confidence and comunidad. The summit brings together Latinas across podcasting, tech, and media to learn, collaborate, and grow—without shrinking or second-guessing their voice. It’s about claiming space, sharing your story, and building momentum together. Grab your pass, join the conversation, and come celebrate your voice https://kshelbytech--lip.thrivecart.com/2026-lip-lyv-vip-pass/ Music credits to: ROYALTY FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC⁠

    53 min

  2. 13 JANV.

    Stop Guessing Your Tech Stack: One Source of Truth with ForgeOS

    Bienvenidos, familia,  On this episode of Tech + Tequila we are covering: Clarity. Visibility. One true source of truth. Because the biggest pain isn’t that you don’t have tools… it’s that your data is scattered across ten dashboards, so you’re guessing, reacting, and paying for things you can’t even see. In this episode, I’m joined by Rosie Pottebaum from ForgeOS, and we break down how Trusted Tech Advisors (and the clients we support) can finally see the full picture across telecom + technology,from carriers and cloud to mobility, billing, contracts, renewals, and support tickets. What we cover: • Data consolidation: how ForgeOS helps centralize complex telecom + tech inventory so advisors can make smarter, more strategic recommendations • Analytics that tell the truth: dashboards and automated reporting that uncover cost savings, billing errors, and missed opportunities • Commission confidence: how advisors can verify, track, and optimize payouts across multiple carriers and suppliers • Less operational friction: streamlining quoting, contract visibility, and service tracking so advisors can spend more time advising (and less time chasing info) • Client impact: what changes when end users have visibility into services, usage, spend, renewals, and centralized ticketing/monitoring Tequila moments (because obviously ): We sip Pantalones Blanco to kick things off that clean, straight-from-the-source energy and share a few fun facts: Pantalones Organic Tequila was co-founded by Matthew + Camila McConaughey (with entrepreneur Andrew Chrisomalis), launched in October 2023, and their Blanco is made with 100% organic Blue Weber agave with notes like cooked agave, honey, and citrus. Mid-episode, we switch to Pantalones Añejo smooth, deeper, long-conversation vibes aged 15 months in American Oak whisky barrels and positioned as USDA-certified organic. Perfect timing for the long-term strategy questions: what’s duplicative, what’s expiring, and what’s costing you in hidden ways? And of course, we end with the Tech & Tequila signature question: If ForgeOS were a tequila, which one would it be — and why? Can you guess what the answer is?  If clarity, visibility, and smarter tech decisions are on your wish list, this is one you’ll want to replay. Keep your tech smooth, your data clean, and your tequila even smoother. ¡Salud!  #TechAndTequila #TechPodcast #BusinessPodcast #TrustedTechAdvisor #ForgeOS #Telecom #TelecomExpenseManagement #TEM #TechStack #DataVisibility #BusinessSystems #Automation #AIforBusiness #CyberSecurity #SmallBusinessTech -ROYALTY FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC⁠

    1 h 2 min

  3. 6 JANV.

    Burnout Is a Design Problem: The 2025 Tech Trends That Will Save Your Nervous System (Year-End Episode)

    Burnout isn’t a personal failure, it’s a design problem. In this 60-minute year-end episode of Tech & Tequila, hosts Kat Lopez Shelby (Shelby Technology Solutions) and Dr. Jenna W. Clack (functional medicine pharmacist + nervous-system-first lifestyle strategist) blend small-business tech strategy with nervous system support to help you close out 2025 with clarity — and step into 2026 with systems that actually create space. If your workflows, notifications, and “everything lives in my head” operations left you fried this year, this episode shows you how to redesign the container: your schedule, your tech stack, and your expectations, so your success is compatible with your body. You’ll get a quick tequila education moment (Blanco vs Reposado vs Añejo), a gentle on-air nervous system reset, and a practical breakdown of the biggest 2025 tech trends through a design-first lens, including agentic AI, AI governance + data discipline, cybersecurity in an AI vs AI world, AI-ready infrastructure, and AIOps / reducing tech debt. In this episode, we cover: • Why burnout is a design problem (not a character flaw) — and what to redesign first • How to use agentic AI to automate repeatable workflows with human approvals + logging • AI governance basics: approved tools, safe data rules, review process, and a “golden source” of truth • Small business cybersecurity moves that reduce anxiety: MFA, least privilege, patching, and asset visibility • AI-ready infrastructure: mapping workloads to cloud vs edge vs on-prem • AIOps + a 90-day tech-debt burn-down to reduce chaos and increase reliability Familia, thank you for being here this year. To a 2026 where your tech creates space, your systems create peace, and your goals come with softness + structure. Rate, review, and hit follow, and message us your business size + industry and whether you’re cloud-first or on-prem, and we’ll help you translate these trends into a 30/60/90-day roadmap. Music credits to: ROYALTY FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC⁠

    50 min

  4. 23/12/2025

    Keep Your Tech Tight: Managed Mobility, Wireless Spend & Resilience with Dataprise

    On this episode of Tech & Tequila, host Kat Lopez Shelby (Latina tech founder, digital nomad, CEO of Shelby Technology Solutions, and co-creator of #YourDigitalBliss) sits down with John Gonzalez and Derrick Wade from Dataprise to break down managed mobility, managed IT, and what it really takes to build business resilience in a world of remote teams, mobile devices, and nonstop cybersecurity threats. We cover: What managed mobility actually means (and why it’s not “just phones”) The biggest places wireless spend leaks (unused lines, hidden add-ons, chaos tax ) How to secure remote + mobile endpoints without making users miserable How AI-enabled IT shows up in real life (not buzzwords) Cybersecurity + disaster recovery as the real formula for maximum uptime What an “anywhere workplace” needs to stay secure and sane Plus: a Tequila & Tastings moment featuring LALO Tequila Blanco—clean, intentional, “no chaos, just quality” energy. If you’re a small business owner, operator, or IT leader trying to reduce downtime, lower risk, and stop firefighting… press play. And if this hits home, share it with one friend who’s drowning in tech chaos. Keywords: managed mobility, wireless expense management, endpoint security, remote workforce security, managed IT services, co-managed IT, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, business continuity, IT resilience, AI in IT, small business technology, Dataprise, LALO Tequila, Tech and Tequila, Kat Lopez Shelby, Shelby Technology Solutions. Music credits to: ROYALTY FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC⁠

    36 min

  5. 12/12/2025

    Choosing the Right AI Agent for Your Business

    Grab your tequila and your notebook, porque Techie Chica Kat Lopez-Shelby is breaking down one of today’s hottest topics: how to choose the right AI agent for your business. Whether you’re a small business owner, a content creator, or a CEO trying to level up your workflow, this episode pulls back the curtain on what AI agents actually do, how they can save your time (and money), and the red flags to avoid before you commit to one. Kat keeps it real, fun, and practical—no tech jargon, just straight talk that helps you make smarter decisions in a world where AI is moving fast. If you’re thinking about using AI in your business—or you already are but want to make sure you're choosing the right tools—this one’s a must-listen. Pour a glass, press play, and let’s get into it. Music credits to: ROYALTY FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC⁠

    36 min

  6. 02/12/2025

    Closing the GenAI Gap: How to Make AI Work for Your Busines

    Bienvenidos, familia! In this episode of Tech & Tequila, your host Kat Lopez Shelby (Shelby Technology Solutions) breaks down the GenAI divide, the gap between companies “using AI” and companies actually getting measurable ROI from generative AI. We unpack why most organizations stay stuck in innovation theater (lots of pilots, not a lot of outcomes), how shadow AI shows up when official tools don’t fit real workflows, and the three biggest blockers: misaligned strategy, poor adoption, and fragmented platforms. Then we flip it and talk about what the winning 5% do differently: start with business outcomes, focus on overlooked operational use cases, strengthen cloud + network foundations, and build scalable AI platforms that integrate into everyday tools like CRM, UCaaS, and CCaaS. Plus, in our Tequila & Tastings moment, Kat highlights Free AF, a festive non-alcoholic option for the sober-curious crew, perfect for holiday events when you want the vibe without the hangover. Ready to stop dabbling and start designing AI that actually drives results? Book an AI Agent Matchmaking Session with Shelby Technology Solutions. We’ll map your customer journey, identify bottlenecks, and match you with the right always-on AI agent (chat, voice, SMS, helpdesk, or internal ops) so you can capture leads, improve customer experience, and reclaim time—without losing your brand voice. Subscribe, rate, and review Tech & Tequila, and share this episode with a friend who needs real AI strategy (not more tools). Salud! Here is the link for the matchmaking session: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG58N5MTTQ/3t9qbLWqFU1gujpj0eHq1g/view?utm_content=DAG58N5MTTQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdc2b28f0d2 Music credits to: ROYALTY FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC⁠

    28 min

  7. 25/11/2025

    Exploring IoT, Connectivity & the Future of Technology with Darcy Guidry

    Grab your favorite tequila, get comfortable, and join Techie Chica Kat Lopez-Shelby for an unfiltered, insightful, and fun conversation with Darcy Guidry from EPIC i0! In this episode of Tech & Tequila, we dive deep into the world of IoT, connectivity, and the innovations that are quietly transforming our everyday lives. From smart homes and wearable tech to the networks connecting our devices in ways we don’t always see, Kat and Darcy explore how technology is evolving, why it matters, and what it means for the future of how we live, work, and play. Darcy brings her expertise and insider perspective on building connected ecosystems, solving real-world tech challenges, and the exciting possibilities that come with a fully connected world. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a professional navigating the digital age, or just someone curious about the future, this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and entertained. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of IoT, connectivity, and how technology is shaping our world—plus some laughs and a few sips along the way. Tune in, pour a drink, and let’s geek out together with Kat and Darcy! Music credits to: ROYALTY FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC⁠

    44 min

  8. 21/11/2025

    Resilience, Real Talk & Riding the Chaos with Kat Lopez-Shelby

    Pour yourself a drink and pull up a chair—because this episode of Tech & Tequila is one you’ll want to replay. Techie Chica Kat Lopez-Shelby is diving deep into what it really takes to build a business that doesn’t just survive disruption… but rises through it. Kat gets candid about navigating market uncertainty, staying grounded through economic curveballs, and why AI shouldn’t scare you—it should empower you. With her signature blend of tough love, humor, and crystal-clear insight, she breaks down the practical steps entrepreneurs can take to strengthen their resilience muscles and protect their business from the chaos happening around them. From mindset shifts to smart systems, from embracing new technology to letting go of old habits that hold you back—Kat brings the heat and the heart. This is the conversation every founder needs right now. So grab your tequila, lace up your entrepreneurial spirit, and get ready to learn how to future-proof your hustle like a true techie boss. Music credits to: ROYALTY FREE BACKGROUND MUSIC⁠

    21 min
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À propos

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.

Informations

  • Création
    Kat Shelby
  • Années d’activité
    2024 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    79
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © Kat Shelby
  • Site web de l’émission
    Tech + Tequila