We recently connected with Aliya Postell and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aliya, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I always tell people when I describe how I went from idea to execution is a lot like the story of Noah’s Arc. If you build they will come. I never imagined being a restaurant owner. I always envisioned being a serial entrepreneur and creating generational wealth and I had so many ideas on how but restaurant wasn’t one. I was bartender through college and as I earned my bachelor’s of science in nursing and became an RN, one day I felt like what’s next. I had graduated I had a job nursing and I was working along side my friend who was building her business as a private chef. We both realized we wanted advancement. I started with the idea of a mimosa bar and food truck lot and set out looking for venues with my commercial realtor. Every single thing began to fall in place one by one more ideas came to my head about my vision and business plan. Connections were made daily hatf lessons were learned in the beginning because there are so many stepsin just being able to start planning opening the doors. Permits, inspections, vendors, funding, staffing and hiring. Things i had never done. Just learning as I was executing.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an RN and online tax office owner mostly known now as the owner of Arlingtons ESO mimosa bar. Mimosa bar is a craft mimosas ans cocktail bar with a full Cajun inspired menu with brunch, lunch, dinner, and late options. ESO serves the option to be as casual or fancy as you feel you can host a birthday celebration, anniversary, date night, or a wind down after work. All I wanted to do was create a place in Arlington where you can have good affordable food with a fun environment and great pixture opportunities

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was a huge pivot in my first year where I experienced a lot of necessary turnover and had to make some changes to improve the business and the public view. It was important that improved quality of our staff and product and my team and I made it an immediate priority as we continue to improve our menu options, crafts drinks, and maintain our uniqueness

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

To be totally transparent there have been a few times I almost missed payroll with expenses outweighed revenue. I have used my personal money and money from a strong support system. It was so humbling to face but every single time we’ve come out on the other side

Contact Info:

• Website: Esomimosabar.com
• Instagram: Esomimosabar