We had the good fortune of connecting with Paloma Elise and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paloma, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe that nearly every decision we make involves some level of risk. Taking risks is a risk, not taking risks is a risk. But it’s best to take risks that you’re passionate about, so when challenges arise, you have enough passion and love for your business to get through the difficult times.

When I decided to go to school and receive my bachelors in business to pursue my passion of running the family business, I didn’t realize I was taking the biggest risk of my life. One year, after I received my bachelors in business and running the family business, the restaurant tragically burned down. On November 3, 2020, during the pandemic our restaurant that has been part of the family since 1994, closed its doors for what we thought was going to be forever.

This unfortunate incident, made me question my career choice, whether being part of the family business was a mistake. The more time that passed, the worst I felt. It was hard to not blame myself even though it wasn’t my fault. What could I have done to prevent this lingered in my thoughts everyday, every night. I would replay everything I did that day, and what mistake I made that could’ve prevented this. It made me question my capacity to run a business, as a young adult, as a woman, as a second generation business owner, as the person my family trusted to run the business.

Three years passed and we accepted it was not coming back. At the time, I decided to leave the restaurant industry all together and move on with my life. Mezontle was my plan A, B, C, D. I didn’t think about failure. I didn’t think it would shut down. Starting another restaurant or buying another restaurant would just be a reminder that I failed.

Until, one random day, we received a call from our landlord, telling us insurance was going to help rebuild the restaurant and if we could come in to sign the lease. We had never built a restaurant before, but we couldn’t give up without trying. The worst had already happened, it was only up from here, right? So we signed the lease, our landlord helped with the “shell” of the restaurant and we went in and put in all the trade fixtures, plumbing and then tables, chairs. We started doing interviews, and hiring employees and before we knew it, the biggest risk I took came out tore the best decision I have ever made. Today, I am happy to say we have been open for more than one year and we are surviving.

If your business burned down, I encourage you to take the risk to rebuild it. If you have ever thought of taking the risk to be part of the family business, I encourage you to take that risk. Small businesses are becoming less and less and they are the backbone of our community. The love and passion small business owners have for their brand, is something that can’t be replicated or felt in any other big chain business. Small business owners don’t care about profit, we care about people and how we make people feel. We want to share what we love to do with the world to put a smile on your face. Risk should be seen as an opportunity that shouldn’t be wasted. You will never know what hand you will be dealt next no matter how many business plans you have, no matter how many back up plans you have. I learned take risks as they come and to make them count.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a small Mexican restaurant located in Torrance, California, We opened in 1994, as Toluca Mexican Restaurant and rebranded to Mezontle Mexican Restaurant in 2016. We decided to change our name to Mezontle, which means the heart of the Agave plant. The Agave is the state plant of Jalisco, which is the part of Mexico our family is from and the style of Mexican food we prepare. Our mission is, what the Mezontle is the agave, our customers are to us. Our customers are the heart of our business. Our food is homemade, prepared from the recipes of my grandmother and my mother.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a ride or die Southbay girl so I’m going to have token it local.
Stay —- The Portofino in Redondo Beach
Breakfast — Phannys
Then go on a bike ride to Manhattan Beach, we would go to the restaurant near the strand and have lunch by the beach
Go back to the hotel & hangout by the pool
For dinner we would uber to the Redondo Beach Village and have dinner

The next day I would take her for a hike to the Hollywood sign, then go to lunch to Urth Cafe in Beverly Hills
We would go thrifting off Melrose

The third day I would take her to Palos Verdes, and have a picnic with food from Malaga Cove Market on one of the cliffs, and take her to the swing, that swings off the cliff. I would also take her cliff jumping, to the Palos Verdes cliffs. We would probably do a relaxing dinner this day, and have dinner on the balcony of the hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

On the fourth day, I would take her to Disneyland and we would try out all the Disney food

One the fifth day I would plan a weekend in Palm Springs

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my father Martin Vasquez, for allowing me to be part of the family business

Website: https://www.mezontlegrill.com

Instagram: mezontle

Facebook: mezontle

Yelp: Mezontle Mexican Grill

Image Credits
Torrance Chamber of Commerce

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