Meet Laura Vazquez-Waddell of Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Vazquez-Waddell.

Hi Laura, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Our Story: How Muddle Fresh Was Born

Muddle Fresh began—like all great cocktails—with an unexpected mix of ingredients: a seminar, a surprise presentation, and a little improvisation.

Back in 2022, my husband and I decided to explore entrepreneurship together. I had signed up for a business seminar while running a small side hustle as a mortgage loan consultant, leaning on my 15+ years in the corporate mortgage world. I convinced him to tag along, thinking it would be a good learning experience. What we didn’t realize was that every attendee was expected to stand up and pitch their business.

Cue panic. My husband turned to me and whispered, “What should I say? I don’t even have a business.” Without missing a beat, I said, “Tell them you do cocktails.”

And just like that, a business was born.

He stood in front of the room and, completely off the cuff, described a mobile bar service that didn’t yet exist. He told the crowd we weren’t just any mobile bartenders—we were bringing a speakeasy experience right to your home. Fresh hand-squeezed juices, house-made organic syrups, no pre-mixed shortcuts. Every cocktail crafted to perfection.

And they loved it. Afterward, people came up asking how they could book us or partner with us. We didn’t even have a name yet—but what we had, right there in that moment, were our core values: quality, creativity, and unforgettable service.

So we got to work. We called it Bar Chef Julean, named after my husband, who had years of experience in the bar industry—from bartender to GM to cocktail consultant for restaurant openings. What started as a side hustle quickly grew into something bigger than we ever imagined. Before long, we were both working full-time in the business, turning our passion into our profession.

As our reputation grew, so did our offerings. What started as a cocktail service evolved into full-scale event planning—decor, catering, tablescapes, linens, you name it. We’ve had the honor of producing events for major companies like JPMorgan, DoorDash, and more, becoming one of the top corporate event companies in the state.

Along the way, we rebranded. Bar Chef was taken—and frankly, we needed a name that truly captured who we are. That’s when Muddle Fresh was born. A name that says everything about our approach: fresh ingredients, expertly muddled flavors, and a commitment to crafting moments people never forget.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not—it’s been tough. Really tough at times.

When we first started, we were running everything out of our home with very little help. We were brand new, inexperienced entrepreneurs and didn’t fully grasp just how many sacrifices we’d have to make. One of the hardest parts was losing time with our son, Liam, who was only nine years old at the time. We missed family gatherings, rarely saw our friends, and found ourselves constantly stretched thin.

What made it even harder was feeling isolated in the process. We looked up to other companies in the industry—hoping for some encouragement or guidance—but were often met with silence. There were no shortcuts, no mentors showing us the way. We had to figure everything out on our own.

We handled every single aspect ourselves—loading, unloading, full setups, all while battling extreme weather—from extremely cold windy nights to Arizona’s scorching summers. There were sleepless nights, sore bodies, moments of exhaustion and even dehydration from just doing too much.

So no, it hasn’t been easy. This journey is not for the faint of heart. But despite all of that—it’s been absolutely worth it. Every challenge shaped us, strengthened our partnership, and brought us closer to building something meaningful not only for ourselves but for our clients and our community.

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’m Laura, the owner of Muddle Fresh. I specialize in event design, decor, and curating strong client relationships. I also focus heavily on operations—building out systems, creating SOPs, and making sure our team is set up for success. My background includes over 15 years in the corporate world, primarily in mortgage and leadership roles, where I managed large teams and learned the importance of structure, service, and efficiency—all of which I bring into my businesses today.

I’m most proud of the entrepreneur I’ve grown into. In addition to Muddle Fresh, I launched a second company called AZ Bachelorette Party, which has already expanded to Nashville. It’s been a whirlwind, but incredibly rewarding. I’m also proud to be a Hispanic woman founder and to lead a team that reflects a passion for excellence, creativity, and real connection.

One thing that truly sets us apart is our designs and execution—there is simply no company out there doing what we do on the level we do it. From our elevated cocktail experience to our immersive event setups, we are detail-obsessed and pour everything into making each event feel one-of-a-kind. I’m constantly dreaming up new themes, layouts, and design elements because our clients deserve more than cookie-cutter—they deserve magic. We don’t cut corners, and we never settle. Every client is treated with care, and every event is executed with intention.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.muddlefresh.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muddlefresh/