Live Your Dream, Naples SCORE Can Help



Pictured above, left to right are:
Native and Alie Aguirre, co-owners of Monarcas Authentic Mexican Restaurant with SCORE counselor, Tom Evans

Authentic Mexican Restaurant

Alie Aguirre came to this country at age 18 from San Lucas, a small village of 300, in her native Mexico. She took classes to learn English and soon earned her high school GED diploma. Alie helped support herself by taking in sewing and alterations. She moved from Texas to Fort Lauderdale, where she met her husband Nativedad. They settled in Naples two years ago and Alie secured her real estate license, only to soon experience an over sold marketplace. At this juncture, the couple began to explore other options to support their growing family. A small red, A-frame building on the corner of Old Route 41 and Bonita Beach Road caught their attention, and thus began their dream of opening an authentic Mexican restaurant.

Alie and Native soon found there are many hurdles and pitfalls for the would-be entrepreneur to overcome. A friend told them of SCORE, and how they could receive business counseling at no cost. Alie called the local Naples SCORE Chapter and was soon assigned to counselor, Tom Evans. Tom is a retired executive from General Motors with extensive organizational and managerial skills. Alie took copious notes and soon a business plan began to emerge.

Together, Alie and Tom Evans set about to negotiate a building lease and secure the necessary business licenses, building and occupancy permits, as well as the license to serve beer and wine. There was also the selection of food vendors and visits from the health and fire inspector. Finally, on November 8, 2007 the Monarcas Authentic Mexican Restaurant opened its doors to the public.

When you walk through the entrance you are immediately greeted by a friendly hostess. The establishment is colorfully decorated in red, orange, yellow and lime green. There are mobiles of Monarch butterflies hanging from the ceiling. Alie explained that as a little girl the Monarch butterfly would return to her village each winter. The Monarch is known to travel over 4000 miles from Canada to Mexico. The trees surrounding her home would be alive with these beautiful creatures.

I asked Alie and Native about the various menu selections. The house specialties are their enchiladas and burritos made with a secret salsa recipe. However, everything looks and smells delicious; served with care and interesting presentation. Alie has a natural knack for cooking. She admits she never went to culinary school, but had plenty of practice over the years with friends and family who encouraged her to share her talents with the public. If you crave the taste of real authentic Mexican food, then Monarcas is a sure bet for the discriminating diner. A breakfast menu will soon be added to the lunch and dinner selections.

Alie credits her mother who instilled in her children a strong work ethic, and her father, who gave them a value system that guides their daily life. Both Alie and Native are grateful to their SCORE counselor, Tom Evans, who was there from the beginning and continues to guide them through the formative years of their new business venture.

SCORE's counseling services are all at no cost. SCORE offers counseling sessions on a one-on-one basis as well as free and low-cost workshops. E-mail counseling is offered as well to those who are out of the area, or simply prefer cyber-meetings. SCORE is a partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration with over 10,500 members and 386 chapters nationwide.

The Naples chapter ran 20 workshops last year with a total of 498 business people in attendance. Additionally, the chapter counseled 1255 clients in face-to-face sessions and another 1070 via email.

We can be reached by e-mail at score@scorenaples.org or by phone at 239-430-0081. Our Web site is www.scorenaples.org