Saul Garcia followed his dream of seeing people enjoying themselves while sharing a meal at his own restaurant.
Garcia is the co-founder of Los Aztecas and Sol Aztecas restaurants in Louisville, Ky. Originally from Mexico, Garcia spent his early years without most modern amenities and began working at an early age to help his family. At age 11, he learned he had Leukemia, began chemotherapy, and pulled through with a new motivation in life.
As a teen, he worked in a restaurant and became fascinated with the restaurant experience. He especially enjoyed seeing how customers left so happy after sharing a meal together.
Garcia began studies at a local university, earning a law degree. At one point, the university shut down from a student strike, and he made plans to come to America with intentions to earn enough money to complete his education. He walked, alone, six days across the desert to get work in Fresno, Calif. as a migrant farm worker.
Garcia fell in love with the country and decided to stay. In 1997, with his brother and two friends, he opened the first Los Aztecas in Louisville. Since then, Garcia has opened 14 more locations of Los Aztecas and Sol Aztecas restaurants.