For more than 25 years, Reyna Masko has been a bridge-builder along the Lakeshore, connecting people and creating opportunities for her community. She is taking a similar approach in building her business, turning her expertise in collaboration and her deep community ties into a recipe for entrepreneurial success.
“Everything I’ve learned from working in and for my community is helping me grow my business,” Masko says. “It’s about relationships, collaboration, and giving back, just like it always has been.”
She sees
Reyna's Michelada Mix as more than just a product; it’s a celebration of culture and community. Her product is mixed with beer to make micheladas, a traditional Mexican drink often compared to a bloody Mary. Micheladas are a staple in Latino households but are less known in the Midwest.
Masko saw an opportunity to not only bring the drink to a new audience but to create a platform that honors the culture and builds connections.
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Courtesy Reyna's Michelada MixReyna's Michelada Mix
The power of connections
For the Salvadoran immigrant who lives In Grand Haven, relationships have always been at the heart of her work. From her early involvement with local nonprofits, including co-founding the Tri-Cities Puentes Initiative, an outgrowth of the 2019 Grand Haven Hispanic Heritage Fiesta, she has spent decades creating spaces for people to connect and thrive.
“Latinos don’t always value networking the way other cultures do because we find it transactional. It’s just not part of how we’re raised,” she says. “But I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be and is often the key that opens doors and opportunities. That’s what I’m trying to do with my business, too.”
Her michelada mix, which is vegan, gluten-free, all-natural, and non-GMO, reflects her attention to detail and commitment to quality.
“I wanted to create something authentic and healthy, with all the traditional flavors but none of the artificial ingredients,” she says.
She launched her business in 2022 and began selling her product in June 2023. It is now in Meijer stores across West Michigan and statewide from Kalamazoo to Detroit. While balancing a full-time job with Ottawa County, Masko handles much of the work herself, Making deliveries with the help of her husband, merchandising her product, and even investing in racks to ensure it has a place on store shelves.
The business is certified as a woman-owned business by the Women Business Enterprise National Council.
“It’s a lot of work, but I remind myself that every step is building something bigger," Masko says.
Food industry experience
Masko’s journey to entrepreneurship began as an extension of her work in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She entered the food industry doing a side hustle as a food broker to help Latino business owners navigate the retail world, breaking down barriers like language and unfamiliarity with sales systems.
“I saw how hard it was for small businesses to get their products into stores,” she says. “Their stories and seeing a gap in Latino products on shelves at retailers inspired me to create my own products.”
Micheladas were a natural choice. Growing up in Houston, Masko remembers how every restaurant had the drink on its menu. When she moved to Michigan, she was surprised to find that few people had heard of it.
“I love introducing people to something new while also highlighting a staple of our culture,” she says. “It’s about bridging those worlds.”
Her business quickly gained traction, earning grants from organizations like the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and being named one of the 10 winners of the
Start Garden 100 competition. She credits much of her success to the resources available to entrepreneurs in the Midwest.
“We’re so lucky to have programs like
GROW,
SCORE, and Start Garden,” she says. “They provide mentorship and funding that really make a difference.”
Masko’s family has been deeply involved in her entrepreneurial journey. Her daughter moved back home for the summer to help with events, and her husband and son often pitch in.
“It’s really a team effort,” she says. “I couldn’t do this without them.”
Her daughter’s face even appears on all product labels, a nod to the personal touch Masko brings to everything she does.
“My son keeps asking when he’s going to get his turn,” she says with a laugh. “Maybe the next product will feature him.”
Supporting her community
Even as her business grows, Masko remains committed to giving back. Her first major donation went toward establishing the
Lupita Reyes Scholarship, named after a longtime advocate in the Latino community and the co-founder of
Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP).
“I wanted to do it while Lupita was alive so she could see how much she means to us,” Masko says. “It’s important to me that my business reflects who I am and what I care about.”
Masko also partners with local organizations,
Latina Network of West Michigan and
Burzurk’s Brewery in Grand Haven, to support events and initiatives.
“At every step, I try to think about how my business can create opportunities for others,” she says. “It’s all about collaboration.”
Masko’s goals for the future are as ambitious as they are heartfelt.
“I want to grow my business so I can retire and focus on bringing more high-quality products from Latin America to the world,” she says. “I’m a foodie, and I love the idea of sharing the staples of different cultures with others.”
She’s also working to expand her presence in restaurants and breweries, with the goal of having her Michelada mix become the “house mix” at local establishments.
“It’s all about creating something that people love and want to share,” she says.
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Courtesy Reyna's Michelada MixReyna's Michelada Mix
‘Showing up for me’
After two years in business, Masko has learned a lot about what it takes to succeed.
“Entrepreneurship is all about drive and determination,” she says. “You have to be willing to figure things out as you go and keep pushing forward.”
Her experience building community has also taught her the importance of relationships.
“I’ve spent years showing up for others, and now those people are showing up for me,” she says. “It’s been amazing to see how much support is out there when you’ve invested in your community.”
For Masko, her business is more than just a way to make a living — it’s a continuation of the work she’s been doing for decades.
“I want my business to be a reflection of who I am and what I stand for,” she says. “It’s about celebrating culture, creating opportunities, and giving back.”
As her business success grows, Masko remains as committed to her community as ever.
“Everything I’ve done — whether it’s been through my job, my volunteer work, or now my business — has been about building connections,” she says. “That’s what makes everything else possible.”