Growing up in La Jolla, Matt Rimel wanted to get into the restaurant business. “Opening one in La Jolla was my dream,” he says.

After spending five years building a catering business, the 26-year-old Rimel opened Rimel’s Rotisserie. A few years later, he added the Zenbu Sushi Bar. “Sushi is my favorite thing and La Jolla was begging for it,” says Rimel, now 39. “And from there on, my business has grown, grown, grown.”

After 13 years in the restaurant business, Rimel also owns Mesquite and the Zenbu Lounge. His venues offer an extensive variety of fresh fish.

He helped create Ocean Giant with six Hawaiian fishing boats whose daily catch is sent to his restaurants via overnight shipping. Today, Rimel has a staff of 100 in the three restaurants. “In the restaurant business, you’re already working seven days a week, so adding restaurants just means more running around,” he says.

Rimel likes to spend any free time with his wife, Jacqueline (the company’s financial manager), and their two children. He also raises funds for a variety of charities and is a founding member of Blue Ryno Foundation, which supports families of critically or terminally ill children. Giving back is his way of sharing his success.

“I feel totally blessed,” he says. “I’m almost 40 and am fortunate to do exactly what I want to do with my life.”