For over 15 years, Ryan Brown worked in the Albuquerque bar and nightclub scene, honing his skills in the art and science of mixology. While he loved the creativity of crafting cocktails, he saw the toll that New Mexico’s heavy alcohol culture could take on a community. Albuquerque has long faced high drunk driving rates and negative press regarding alcohol abuse, creating a landscape where social life often feels inextricably linked to drinking.
Ryan began to wonder what it might look like to take everything he’d learned and apply it somewhere new. In 2023, he founded Lost Cultures Tea Bar in the Sawmill District, envisioning a “sober bar” that treated non-alcoholic beverages with the same culinary respect as fine dining.
“I was really excited to transfer that knowledge into the non-alcoholic world and show people that you can have some elevated, tea-based drinks with depth and flavor that don’t even have any alcohol at all,” Ryan says.
Despite his passion, the transition wasn’t without its challenges. He worried the community might disregard a non-alcoholic establishment or simply not take the concept seriously. However, he was quickly surprised by the size of the sober and sober-curious community in Albuquerque that was hungry for a voice and a place to gather.
From Cocktails to Mocktails
Lost Cultures takes a culinary approach to beverages, using techniques more commonly found in fine dining to create complex flavors.
“I was really excited to transfer that knowledge into the non‑alcoholic world,” Ryan says. “To show people you can have really nice, fun drinks that don’t have alcohol.”
The result is a creative menu served in an intentional space that feels thoughtful rather than trendy—rooted in culture, ritual, and connection. In 2026, Ryan reached another milestone: leaving his bartending job to work full-time at Lost Cultures.
“That gives me more time for recipe development and creating really fun, exciting new drinks,” he says.
Related: Read “Replacing Drinking with Running? Try These Tasty Mocktails”
An Entrepreneur’s Balancing Act
The journey to becoming a small business owner has been rewarding for Ryan, but it’s not all fun and games. Ryan is open about the often stressful nature of entrepreneurship, especially in the restaurant industry.
That reality made one thing clear: His health—and his family’s—had to be a priority. Both he and his wife, fellow small business owner Jessica Ungerer, founder of Santosha Skin, view their health as a business necessity.
“If we go down with an illness, so does our money. There’s no paid sick leave when you are a small business owner,” Ryan says. “We have two little kids, so we had to really protect ourselves and stay on track of our health. That way we can continue to show up at work and at home for our children.”
Through BeWell, New Mexicans who are self‑employed or small business owners can get affordable health insurance coverage to support physical and mental health. Plans cover essential benefits for entrepreneurs and their families, including:
- Preventative wellness exams
- Chronic disease management, like for high blood pressure
- Prescription medications
- Mental health services
- Emergency services
Having reliable, affordable health coverage helps entrepreneurs like Ryan and Jessica stay well while growing their businesses. Depending on income and household size, some small business owners may qualify for financial assistance to lower the cost of health insurance!
Related: Read “10 Essential Health Benefits”
Protect Your Health: It’s Your Most Valuable Asset
Ryan’s story reflects a reality many small business owners face: when you work for yourself, your health and your livelihood are deeply connected. If you’re a small business owner in New Mexico, you don’t have to navigate the insurance landscape alone.
Lost Cultures Tea Bar is proof that businesses can succeed by creating spaces that serve real needs and bring people together in meaningful ways. And Ryan’s journey is a reminder that caring for your health isn’t separate from caring for your business. It’s part of what makes long‑term success possible.
“Follow your gut,” he says. “Trust your instincts. Your heart will lead you where you’re supposed to be.”
