Leoh Sandoval Is A Great Immigrant Success Story

Leoh Sandoval, whose full first name is Lionso, is a North Long Beach restaurateur and designer. Sandoval is the co-owner of Aguas Way in North Long Beach, a Mexican street food restaurant that specializes in Aguas Frescas, which opened in 2017.

Despite not having previous knowledge in managing a restaurant, Leoh Sandoval successfully opened Aguas Way with the help of his family and friends as well as his own knowledge in designing and building residential, commercial and industrial buildings. His skills in design began when Sandoval moved to Phoenix after high school to attend an architectural trade school.

In 2019, after years of working with a local architect, Sandoval decided to venture on his own and began his own business, Long Beach Designers, with an office right next door to Aguas Way.

While Sandoval was born in Michoacán, Mexico, the only life he’s known is that as a Long Beach resident since he was 5 years old. He graduated from Patrick Henry Elementary School, Washington Middle School, and Millikan High School.

Last August, Leoh became a naturalized citizen, a decision he made because of the current state of the country and to make sure that he is not separated from his young family.

“It feels good to be able to vote now,” Sandoval said. “It gives me more power to make decisions now.”

This profile on Leoh Sandoval is part of a series exploring the successes of immigrants in Long Beach. Immigrant Success is a collaborative podcast project between Long Beach Post and PalacioMagazine.com. Long Beach Post reporter Stephanie Rivera is the podcast host and Antonio Ruiz is the producer.

Show notes:

00:45 Leoh talks about becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.

10:25 Leoh shares his experience in becoming an architectural designer.

20:28 Leoh speaks about working hard to get out of poverty and opening Aguas Way.

More on Leoh Sandoval

Lionso “Leoh” Sandoval was born in Michoacán, Mexico and raised since the age of 5 in Long Beach, California. Sandoval is a graduate of Patrick Henry Elementary School, Washington Middle School, and Millikan High School. After high school, Leah moved to Phoenix Arizona to attend an Architectural trade school.

After graduation, he moved back to Long Beach and began working for a local Architect Michael Kollin. Sandoval was trained in AutoCAD and Building codes and has over 15 years of experience designing and building residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Eventually, Leoh Sandoval decided to venture on his own. His expertise in building design resulted in Sandoval and his siblings designing, constructing, and opening the family business, Aguas Way, in 2017 and then Long Beach Designers In 2019.