Entrepreneur Story Time: VIZZIA Technologies

Get ready to hear Andy Halasz, co-founder and CEO of VIZZIA Technologies, share how he took his 2005 startup to a leading provider of technology solutions for healthcare organizations nationwide. We’ll hear what it’s like to stick it out with a slow startup, what drew Andy and VIZZIA from its original home in Atlanta to Santa Fe, and what it’s like to nearly double revenue over two years and grow from a one-man show to 30-ish employees. For a sneak peek at how Andy and VIZZIA utilized local funding sources to help bring internship and job opportunities to NM, check out the article, “Venture Accelerator Fund (VAF) Funding Helped to Fuel VIZZIA Technology’s ‘Internet of Things’ Laboratory.”

To hear Andy’s story, we’ll gather at family-owned Evangelo’s Cocktail Lounge, my personal favorite place in SF to grab an adult beverage (or 5) and shake it to some live music ‘til the band goes home. If we’re lucky, we’ll get to hear Evangelo’s son (Nick) or granddaughter (Kiki) share some of the bar’s history and shed light on the meaning of the old photos and memorabilia that make up its unique décor. Teasers: Photos taken by an iconic photographer during World War II led to the USPS putting Evangelo’s face on a stamp in 2002. And if you’ve ever watched the movies “Crazy Heart” or “Only the Brave,” then you’ve already seen the inside of Evangelo’s (which opened its doors back in 1971).

You may want to hit up an ATM on your way as Evangelo’s is a CASH ONLY bar. They also don’t serve food, but feel free to pick something up around the plaza and bring it in to eat while you enjoy story time.

And don’t plan to rush off afterwards, as live music will start at 9 PM, giving us the chance to show Evangelo’s how this group of kick-ass entrepreneurs gets down.