Behind every great mocktail and every great business system, there's a dynamic duo stirring up magic at The Modern Mocktail.
Meet Marina and Tyler Castillo, the husband and wife team who are the heartbeat of our courses, consultations and creations. Together, they blend their unique skills – from zero-proof mixology to community building in every sense – creating more than just drinks; they're crafting an experience.
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This power couple tackles everything together, from innovating new drink recipes to hosting community education events and teaching others how to do so, too. Their partnership is the secret ingredient to the warm, welcoming atmosphere you'll find working with The Modern Mocktail. Whether they're shaking up a storm with fresh menus, helping a team learn to flow, organizing a bar, lounge, or bottle shop for maximizing processes (and profit), Marina and Tyler are the true embodiment of love, teamwork, abundance, and passion.
At The Modern Mocktail, we're more than just a management education, consultation, zero-proof menu creation, and design company -
we're storytellers at heart.
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Each menu we craft isn't just a list of beverages,
each process we smooth out isn't just a relief;
it's a narrative in a glass, a tale of flavors, history, and artistry.
It's a story of triumph over chaos, and growth over defeat.
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Our journey is about rediscovering the lost art of storytelling through our menus, and through the workplace cultures we help to reorient. We delve deep into the origins of each ingredient, exploring its history and cultural significance.
This isn't just mixology; it's a celebration of stories from around the globe, brought to life in every sip.
Community – it's more than a word; it's the heart of every thriving space, and at The Modern Mocktail, we're passionate about nurturing it.
Creating a community isn't just about gathering people; it's about fostering connections, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Building a community means striking a balance – between maintaining a safe, respectful environment and encouraging it to evolve and expand. It's about creating a space where everyone feels welcome and valued, a place where people can come together, share, and grow without fear.
At The Modern Mocktail, we don't just help create healthier workplaces and communities; we nurture living, breathing spaces where people can be their true selves, respectfully. There's nothing that will make or break your business more than the investment you put into your team.
Hi, I'm Marina. I'm the Head Consultant at The Modern Mocktail.
pole dancing, burlesque, dance, fitness, lifestyle
Stories, like forests, are subject to season.
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Through the years, I've worked in multiple professions that all have one thing in common - I like to serve people the drinks and experiences that help frame their best memories.
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I've been serving my family coffee since I was 4, and every job since has been a subconscious ode to that time. Back in 2012, I went to college for Theoretical Mathematics while I was simultaneously becoming an award winning traveling showgirl, burlesque performer, pole dancer, podcast host, show producer, and model. (Psst... that's how Marina Mars came to be. It was my stage name!) While doing so, I always held onto a supportive job position in the food/beverage service industry or in the adjacent nutritional chemistry testing industry. So I've spent well over a decade working on both sides of the bar, and very intimately with 1000's of unique ingredients and people.
When the pandemic caused the quarantines and shut downs in 2020, it forced me to reevaluate my income streams, purpose, and direction. I spent that year working on refining and refueling my endeavors.
In 2021, I met my now-husband Tyler Castillo. We managed a kava bar together for a few years and that's where we learned that we not only LOVE working together (and work well together) but our combined experiences ended up making a bigger impact than we ever could have alone. That's what inspired us to build this business together.
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Here's how the balance plays out in our current business: You'll see my face everywhere because I'm the head consultant, instructor, and also leader of all things tech related. I can do everything behind a bar or register with my eyes closed due to my extensive nightlife background, executive management experience, and math degree.
Meanwhile, Tyler's genius lies in overall strategy, security, equipment maintenance and selection, construction, landscaping, human management, and everything related to managing a substance-free sober community. You likely won't see much of Tyler unless you're one of our 1:1 retainer clients.
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​I host a podcast, called Mocktails with Marina. We chat about all topics under non-alc business umbrella. If you are a non-alc entrepreneur (or want to be), then just know I made this just for you!!​​