Quick Question
Agua Bonita founders Kayla Castaneda & Erin PonTell share what theyve learned from growing their business.
Kayla Castaneda and Erin PonTell knew each other for approximately a month before deciding theyd make great business partners.
We joke a lot when life gives you lemons, make aguas frescas.
ThusAgua Bonita beautiful water, in Spanish was born.
Castaneda: Literally every time, I go into it with the mentality that its do-or-die.
PonTell: I jump around a bit before every call to shake it off.
And then Kayla and I always text each other that we got this with lots ofemojis.
Wait, which emojis?
Castaneda: Mines the praise hands.
PonTell: I do a lot of all caps, which isnt an emoji, and exclamation points.
Then the party hat guy.
Ha, we stan the party hat guy.
So once youre done with the big presentation, how do you turn off your brain?
PonTell: Ive now watchedFriendsprobably 30 times.
I play it in the background to zone out.
Personally, Id like advice on how to be better at work-life balance.
Business-wise, is there something you need advice on?
PonTell: I keep thinking of very technical things, like how do you transport freight?
Castaneda: A lot ofwomen and minority foundersprobably struggle with this exact dilemma.
If you grow up not having anything, youre used to running a business on fumes to make it.
Then, after you snag money, it doesnt feel right to spend it all.
We want to be good stewards of our money.
We feel very fortunate, but its also a little surreal.
Have you gotten anybadadvice starting your business?
Castaneda: Thats too hard.
Just because something is hard doesnt mean you shouldnt do it.
Sometimes, thats exactly what sets you apart from other businesses.
Last question: Who are your role models?
PonTell: I have a cheesy one.
One of my best friends from college is one of the youngest female venture capital partners in Silicon Valley.
She reminds me that theres a space in this playground for females and minority females, too.
Castaneda: I would sayDany Garcia.
Shes Dwayne Johnsons ex-wife, and they still partner on a lot of business deals.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
