“Some people say you shouldn’t work with family, but we all have different talents and strengths.” – Paola Montes

A Full Cup

“My father wanted his family to have more economic opportunity,” Paola explained in the entryway of her family’s bistro.

We were talking in the entryway of the third restaurant they’ve created together.

“When I graduated from college, I thought I wanted to make my own way,” Paola said, as a slight blush bloomed across her face. “But, I loved working with my family. I grew up in the restaurant business. And, I knew I had more to offer to my family and our community.”

From the moment I walked into Azul it was clear that Paola, Mario (her husband), and the entire staff take pride in their work and that they enjoy showcasing their creation to others.

“Our cup is full,” Paola almost whispered as she began thinking back of the beginning of their venture.

Her father, an engineer by trade, decided to accept a family invitation to come to learn about the restaurant business from another relative in Alabama. He and his wife had two young sons at the time, so it was a real risk starting over, on the very bottom rung. He washed dishes, bused tables and learned every aspect of the business. When he thought he knew the business well enough and could really make a go of it, he set off to find his own, right location.

That location was in a different state in a small town where there wasn’t one Mexican restaurant. He wanted to get the best shot he could get at survival, so they moved again. And, from the first day of the venture, each member of the growing family worked to make it a success.

“That’s when I was born,” Paola said. “We all work hard. It’s an important component of our success.”

And, yes, they do work hard. But they don’t work just for work’s sake. When Paola says their “cup is full,” it’s because she means their work reflects who they are now and where they came from. They focus on contributing every single detail of their history and talent.

“My father designs every part of the interiors of our businesses. He personally travels to select the people who will hand craft the chairs, tables and décor. He only chooses people who can bring his vision into reality.” Paola pointed out, while walking through the entire top floor of their bistro, pointing out each piece, including the art on the walls, the sparkling lights, and the way their food is delivered to customers.

“Some people say you shouldn’t work with family, but we all have different talents and strengths.,” Paola Montes said with warmth radiating from her eyes. “It was time for our father to retire a couple of years ago, and he did, but he just can’t stay away all of the time. He still comes in on a regular basis, just not as much, because he belongs here. He wants to contribute. Its who he is. He’s just part of this, part of us and he always will be.”

“My father wanted his family to have more economic opportunity,” Paola explained in the entryway of her family’s bistro. But, he accomplished more than just that. He created a way for everyone in our family to fill their own cup. A cup filled with our individual contributions, our history and the desire to showcase our history, who we are and what we yearn to give to each other and to others.

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