Rising Stars: Meet Marie of Moorpark, Ca

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie.

Hi Marie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a California native, born and raised in Thousand Oaks, and my journey into entrepreneurship started in a moment I didn’t expect—attending a wedding where I found myself completely intrigued by a mobile bar service. After 23 years in upper retail management, working long nights, weekends, holidays, and missing valuable time with my family, I knew I wanted something different. I wanted to create something that still allowed me to connect with people—because that’s what I truly love—but also gave me the freedom to be present for my husband, my four kids, and now my two grandchildren. I went home, did my research, and turned that spark into Unico Mixers. What started as an idea quickly grew into something bigger than I ever imagined. I’m a driven, self-motivated woman, and building this business has allowed my vision to expand in ways I never anticipated. More than anything, I wanted to create something meaningful—not just for myself, but as an example for my kids—showing them what it looks like to take a leap, build something from the ground up, and turn it into something truly special.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been completely without challenges, but overall it’s been a very rewarding journey. Over the past almost two years, I’ve learned so much through experience—things you can’t really prepare for until you’re in it. I’ve had to create systems, like detailed checklists, and learn not to overbook myself. I realized pretty quickly that I couldn’t do everything alone, which meant growing my team and starting to delegate as the business expanded. Along the way, I’ve figured out what works and what doesn’t—from simplifying our menus to refining how we batch cocktails, set up and break down events, and structure our contracts. There were definitely moments where I had to go back and adjust things we initially missed, but each step helped strengthen the business.

I’ve also learned how important organization is. I’ve had to become very intentional with my time—dedicating certain days to planning, designing menus, sourcing ingredients, and building out the creative side of the brand. There’s a balance between being efficient and maintaining quality, especially when it comes to purchasing in bulk and managing costs without ever making the brand feel less than what it represents. Every challenge has really just been a lesson, and each one has helped me grow both as a business owner and as a leader.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I started my career in retail as a sales associate, a young mom of two just looking for a part-time job to get out of the house. Within a year, I was promoted to assistant manager, and from there my career continued to grow steadily. I eventually became a traveling store manager, helping open new locations from the ground up—building teams, leading operations, and executing visual merchandising to bring each store to life. I truly loved my time in retail. While it could be exhausting, it was incredibly fulfilling. I gained so much knowledge, built lasting relationships with mentors who are still close friends today, and developed skills that shaped not only my career, but who I am as a person. Every experience taught me something valuable, and I carry those lessons with me into my own business and everyday life.

Any big plans?
My plans for the future are to continue growing my business and building a brand strong enough that I can eventually step into more of a behind-the-scenes role—focusing on bookings and operations while trusting my team, and hopefully even my kids, to represent the brand at events. I’m really excited about expanding into more corporate and large-scale events, as that’s a space I see a lot of potential in. My husband and I have also talked about the possibility of opening a brick-and-mortar bar, but I’m still feeling that out and not rushing into it. For now, my mindset is centered on growth—continuing to evolve, create, and build something that has longevity and meaning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.unicomixers.com
• Instagram: @unico_mixers
• Facebook: Unico Mixers