Empire builder

Who: Ralph Rubio, president, c.e.o., chairman and co-founder of Rubio's Restaurants Inc., operators of Rubio's Baja Grill

Why the restaurant business?

When I was a freshman at San Diego State, my roommate came home one afternoon and said, "Hey, I just got a job bussing tables..." I started

bussing tables and then became a waiter when I turned 21. I waited tables through college and beyond. I worked nights and lived on the beach during the day-had a great time. Three to four years out of college I realized I had to get a real job. I had the idea of opening a fish taco restaurant. I experienced them on spring break in Mexico and loved them.

If you couldn't do this, what would you be?

A writer. Like the restaurant business, it allows you to be creative,

Finish this sentence. My mother or father was wrong when they told me...

In high school my father said, "Your friends aren't going to help you get anywhere, don't rely on them so much." I've always relied on my friends and enjoyed their company and made them a part of my life. A lot of what has happened has been due to other people.

Who was your mentor?

That's easy, my dad. My dad is an entrepreneur, When I was really young. he was already instilling in me the idea of owning my own business. My dad's a hard worker and a smart guy.

What is the price of success?

Time..the other day I left at 6 a.m. and didn't get back until 11 p.m. When I left my daughter was asleep and when I got back she was asleep.

Describe the best experience you've ever had in a restaurant (not your own).

Probably some of my most memorable experiences would be eating in a little off-the-wall restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, drinking cold beers with rny buddy Dave and listening to the mariachis.

-Kara Gebhart