From party boy to businessman to family man, 24-year-old Alex Thao has learned and matured quickly. At age 18, Thao was employed by his father to run Celadon, the family restaurant in Hillcrest. By age 22, he added a second Thai restaurant, Rama, to the family business. Recently opened is 30-Two, a private, members-only lounge Downtown. In the works is Chow, an “urban noodle house,” a concept restaurant that sells only noodles.

Although success might go to the head of a young entrepreneur, Thao never takes his customers for granted. “Awards are great,” he says. “But it’s the meaning behind them that is important. There are 220 Thai restaurants in San Diego, and customers are choosing to eat at Celadon and Rama.” Thao rewards his customers with ambience, service and good food. He takes the time to walk around his restaurants, touch tables and chat with patrons.

However, it is not his professional accomplishments, which include the Silver Fork and Restaurateur of the Year awards, Thao dwells on. “My daughter will be turning 1 next month and we are planning a vacation to Thailand to visit my family,” he says. “Having a family means more to me than anything in the world.”

Community also is important. In addition to providing complimentary food for nonprofit events and organizations including the United Way, Mama’s Kitchen and Recipe for a Cure, Thao and his wife serve meals during the holidays and donate gift cards to children and schools.