Okay, how many of you small business owner’s downtown Sac are sick of the Chamber meetings and clicks downtown? Being a small business downtown in this economy has its challenges and we need to work together. I have never been one to "love" or "grow" my business from these mixers but what else do we have? In Europe where I do allot of business in the pubs or bars (buying horses) made me ask myself why can't I do that here with my photography services? Until now there really hasn't been an arena for people over 40 to meet and socialize besides a happy hour pub. Well, no surprise here that Mason Wong of Mason's Ultra Lounge has now come up with a brilliant idea and opened the phenomenal lounge "The Mix" on 16th and L in the old Firestone Building. Looking at if from the outside all you see is this big white tent on the roof and you wonder "What the heck" but as you walk in the entrance you are quickly seduced by the atmosphere of a New York first class lounge. As you enter the lounge the swanky, sexy, open feeling takes you to another place. It immediately relaxes you and your only feeling is that of enjoyment.

Having my very first mixer was an experiment and not something I didn't stress about. I invited as many small business owners I knew and the word spread quickly. I had no idea if it would be a success but I knew if Mason helped me I would be in good hands. We had over 65 business owners attend along with a surprise visit from the Governor. No, he did not show up for us, or did he give us the time of day. As a matter of fact he and his large entourage took over half our space and none of our guest could park in the first hours because of all the huge black convoy of his cars blocking the entrance. Arnold sat there and smoked his cigars and when he left we were glad and sad. Glad that Mason has attracted the Governor to his new hip swanky lounge, but sad that the Governor was so rude with his entourage. However despite all that I still love Arnold and have always been a huge supporter. Just because he doesn't like to acknowledge the little people of this new emerging town is still okay with me.

The e-mail’s are pouring in from all the attendees and asking me to please invite them to the next one. I met allot of new people and have some new clients because of it. So hat's of to Mason Wong and his vision to putting this so called "Cow Town" on the map.