Experience

Rhythm Brewing Co.

• United States
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Mar 2017 - Present

  Established in 2017, Rhythm Brewing Co. is a certified Minority Woman Owned beer company in New Haven, CT.Alisa Bowens-Mercado realized the lack of craft lagers on the market, therefore she created her own. Our brand specializes in producing unfiltered lagers. Her flagship beer, Rhythm, is a modern American-style lager with an ABV of 5.5%. Brewed with South African hops, Rhythm is unfiltered, flavorful, and has a slight bite that leaves you wanting more. Music, Dance, and Beer have played a significant role in Alisa’s life. Both of Alisa’s Grandmothers’ were beer drinkers, and on special occasions, they would sip, dance and converse about “Finding your Rhythm in Life”. Rhythm Brewing Co. is the first Black, Woman owned (and ran) Brewing company in Connecticut. Here at Rhythm Brew Co we strive to make the finest quality beers that man can create. For us quality means doing it right when no one is looking. We want to make the best beer in the world. Our team is committed to excellence by providing our customers with high quality products. Rhythm Brewing Co. is engaging our consumers to "Find Your Rhythm" in life. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"Best Brew 2018" Hamden Chamber of Commerce2019 Embrace Legacy Award2020 SBNO Award Recipients2020 GHNCC Minority Business Award



Alisa's House of Salsa

• United States
• Wellness and Fitness Services

• Salsa Instructor

  • Jun 2000 - Present

  Alisa started her dancing journey at the age of three years old. A classically trained ballet, tap, and jazz dancer, Alisa studied with Gloria Jeans’ Dance Company (home of the World Tap Dance Champions) for over 16 years, and obtained her Dance Masters of America (DMA), Professional Teaching Certificate. In 1998, she decided to take a Latin “Salsa” dance class. Instantly, Alisa was addicted to the music, the movements, the life and spirit of salsa dancing. Everyone in the community started to notice Alisa’s passion for salsa. Alisa, who is African-American, was assumed to be of Latin descent, either Dominican or Puerto Rican, because she danced salsa and spoke Spanish with a “crisp Latin accent.” Many admired the fact that she represented a piece of their Latin culture and others appreciated the fact that you need not be Latino/a to dance salsa. In the fall of 2000, Alisa started teaching at Southern Connecticut State University for the Multi-cultural Center, beginning her career as a Latin Dance Instructor. Alisa then started promoting “Latin Nights” at various nightclubs and restaurants.In September of 2002, Alisa opened Alisa’s House of Salsa, Studio of Latin Dance, in New Haven, Connecticut. Her grand opening was a huge success and her studio location, which originally was located downtown, was known as the “Moving Billboard Downtown" because of the entertainment provided by the open glass windows. In addition to the studio, Alisa also provides entertainment for private events through the Latin Heat Dance Team, Alisa’s House of Salsa professional dance company. In 2015, Alisa's House of Salsa moved to Westville. Since the House of Salsa opened, more than a 1000 pairs of feet have walked through her doors.