We caught up with the brilliant and insightful April Aguilar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
April , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I didn’t always have confidence or healthy self-esteem. Those things grew slowly over the years, shaped by trials, setbacks, loss of a parent as a young girl, not exactly knowing where I fit in, seasons where I questioned myself more than I believed in myself. I can’t point to one single moment when everything changed, but at some point, I realized that in every room, there is someone who feels even more unsure, more timid, and more afraid to speak up than I do. That awkwardness shifted something in me. Instead of focusing on my own insecurities, I started focusing on showing up fully, leading with kindness, and creating space for others feel comfortable. Over time, I’ve learned that confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with, it’s a choice you make every day. And choosing it, even when it feels uncomfortable, is what helped me to grow into the woman I am now.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the founder and CEO of Shake, Stir, Serve, a luxury mobile bartending and beverage experience company based in Georgia. My path here wasn’t linear, I’ve worked in everything from customer service to real estate to education, but every chapter taught me something about people, hospitality, and creating moments that make others feel seen and celebrated. That’s really the heart of my business today.
What excites me most about what I do is the experience we create. We don’t just pour drinks, we design moments. Whether it’s a corporate event, a wedding, a birthday, or a community gathering, my team and I focus on connection, creativity, and hospitality. I love watching guests light up when they try a signature cocktail, participate in a mixology class, or see a beautifully curated beverage setup that elevates the entire event. It’s those reactions, the joy, the surprise, the feeling of being cared for, that make this work special.
Shake, Stir, Serve has grown quickly, and I’m incredibly proud of the reputation we’ve built for professionalism, creativity, and luxury-level service. We’re expanding our offerings with more interactive mixology experiences, corporate beverage activations, and specialty bars like our Dirty Soda Bar, which has been a huge hit. I’m also focused on building strong partnerships with venues and local businesses so we can continue to bring elevated memorable experience to events across Georgia.
At the endo f the day, my brand is rooted in hospitality, creativity, and genuine connection. I want every client and every guest to feel celebrated, because that’s what great service is all about.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When I look back at my journey, the qualities that have made the biggest impact are my commitment to continuous learning, my willingness to teach myself new skills, and strong communication.
Continuous learning has been at the heart of everything that I’ve built. I didn’t come into this industry knowing how to a run a business, build a website, or market a brand. I had to learn it all, from scratch. Whether it’s understanding SEO, figuring out how to design my own website, or navigating social media strategy, I became a student again. That curiosity and determination to keep learning has opened more doors than anything else.
Self-taught skills and being a self-started have also played a huge role. There were so many movements where I could’ve said, “I don’t know how to do that,” but instead I chose to figure it out. Every new skill, from branding to pricing to event logistics, made me more confident and more capable. My advice for anyone early in their journey is simple: don’t wait to be an expert. Start learning, start trying, and let yourself grow through the process.
And finally, communication has been one of my most valuable tools. Clear, kind, professional communication builds trust, strengthens relationships, and sets the tone for your entire brand. It’s something I’ve had to refine over time, but it’s made all the difference in how I lead, how I collaborate and how I serve clients.
These three qualities, staying curious, being willing to learn what you don’t know, and communicating well, have shaped my path more than anything else. They’re skills anyone can develop, and they become powerful when you commit to them consistently.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was not handing everything to me. They didn’t coddle me or rush in to fix every problem. From a young age, I had to learn how to cook, figure things out on my own, and take responsibility for myself. At the time, I didn’t always understand it, but looking back, that independence shaped my entire work ethic and the way I move through the world. It taught me to be resourceful, to trust my own abilities, and to know that I can handle whatever comes my way. My dad had always said to me “Anything worth doing, is worth doing well,” I apply this to my everyday tasks including everything I do for my clients and my business. That foundation has carried me through every chapter of my life and is a huge part of why I’m able to run a business today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shakestirservega.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shake_stirserve/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Shake-Stir-Serve/61564468267055/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shake-stir-serve/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
