We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Luisa Monis-Enriquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ana Luisa, how do you think about risk?
Three years ago, I was in a bad accident. I broke my back, the doctors didn’t know if I was going to walk again, and they gave me two options for surgery: 1- I will be able to walk but not move my torso much, or 2- Perform an un-usual surgery where they didn’t know if I was going to walk again, but if I did, I would have more mobility in my torso.
I took the second option, and luckily, after a year of physical therapy I am happy to be part of the 5% that recovers and walks. It was a scary moment for me for sure, but this accident made me re-evaluate what I appreciate, it brought me closer to my family, and it actually turned out to be an amazing year! I was able to travel more because I was forced to work remote (most of the time I would be working while lying in bed). I ended up really enjoying having the time to discover myself and being able to work at my own pace.
Fast forward two years later: 2020. I just became a mother for the first time. We have a beautiful one month old baby. We just moved-in to our “new house” (first time being homeowners). We just changed cars for a bigger one (so we could fit the carseat). Everything seems going smoothly. And then… then the pandemic started… I was on maternity leave and my husband was out of business due COVID (he owns a Cocktail Catering company). We had no idea how/what we were going to do to pay bills and keep a roof over our heads since we had just put most of our savings towards the house we had just bought, everything was changing even the way we interacted with friends and family.
What should our readers know about your business?
There is plenty of cocktail boxes in the market, where you get to try different brands and products from other big companies and that’s basically it, which is completely fine but -that is nothing like Jolly Hour.
All the reductions and the Recipes that we put in the box are handmade, we use fresh ingredients that we find locally and we use in season produce to lower our impact in the world and also by doing so we get the best flavors since everything is fresh. We do our garnishes in house, we dehydrate everything our selfs so there is no shortcuts or ugly food preservatives, so you can say is a truly Craft Cocktail box where all the ingredients have been specially crafted for you.
We create every season 5 different boxes that you can pair with your favorite spirit Vodka, Tequila, Gin, Whiskey or Rum so you can choose which spirit to use or also you can discover the love for a new spirit by trying it with a delicious recipe. When we created Jolly Hour I was still breastfeeding so I couldn’t drink alcohol but I did wanted to enjoy a tasty and pretty cocktail, so for me was important that we didn’t exclude anyone, so ALL our recipes can be made as Mock-tails without Alcohol and everyone can enjoy a pretty and delicious cocktail/mock-tail at home.
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 love Miami, because the diversity in food, people and culture, there is so many places to visit but here is my favorite ones:
EAT
Beaker and gray – One of my favorites of all times and next to it there is a shop for Bobba Tea … I love it!
Plant – Vegan and delicious
Ghee – the most amazing Indian food
Rinconcito Mexicano – this is in Calle Ocho I just love how authentic the food is (take it from a Mexican)
Sugar in the East Hotel
Pinch – Delicious small restaurant by locals
DRINKS
Broken Shaker and Sweet Liberty
WALK
Design District, Wynwood, check out Faena Hotel and of course South Beach if its your first time here.
SHOP
I like Aventura Mall, Brickell Center and of course the Sawgrass Mills
PARTY
I don’t party much so I am not the best in this topic.. but I do like Seaspice, Kiki on the River or go out in Wynwood… Basically anywhere where food and party is involved
MUSEUMS
Perez Art Museum, Frost Museum and if you have little kids they will love the Miami Children’s Museum.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
For sure my husband who keeps me motivated and believing that “We got this!” event when it doesn’t feel like we do, ha! but he is a go getter person an I love his confidence and that he really works hard for his family, he believes in me even when sometimes I feel like I don’t. He helps me grow and I am forever thankful.
My sister, who is my biggest cheerleader and she doesn’t let me go down, she is always unconditionally there for me and she has the must amazing creative brain, I can just shoot her my ideas and she will translate them in something beautiful, she created the whole look of the brand, she is an amazing designer and I am lucky to have her as a sister so she gives me discounted prices
My mom and my brother who will jump in to help me anyway, anywhere, and my friends who are always so supportive no matter how crazy my ideas is. I have a great support system and for that I am so beyond grateful.
And lastly Jay Shetty haha, You don’t know me but I know you, because I was literally listening to his podcast 24/7 during the pandemic I was trying to keep my energy and thoughts positive and well he helped me, to keep my sanity in a way too
Website: www.thejollyhour.com
Instagram: @jollyhour
Facebook: @jollyhourbox
Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jollyhourbox