Name: Brian Raab
Twitter: @TequilaCorrido
Facebook: @TequilaCorrido
Instagram: @TequilaCorrido
Website: www.ilovetequilacorrido.com
Age: 46
Title: President and Partner of Tequila Corrido
Married/Single: Married
Kids: Two kids, my son is 10 (Hudson) and my daughter (Everlee) is 8.
City you live in: I live in Scottsdale!
A typical day in my life includes… My typical day is dictated by my phone. Right now, we are focusing on expansion with Tequila Corrido and we are in the middle of event season. So, it’s a lot of coordinating and seeing what works.
I was born…In Orange County, California—The City of Orange.
My favorite thing about Arizona…The people. The friendliness of Arizonans and the ability to be from somewhere else but take sanctuary here and make it your own is unique. I think there is such an open environment to allow you to do something like open restaurants even if you don’t know anyone.
I’m listening to…Green Lights which is Matthew McConaughey’s autobiography. It’s fascinating.
My family…lives for Sundays. We do Sunday Funday which (for us) means bible verses, cracking open some tequila and inviting the neighbors over. Maybe or maybe not in that order 😉
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…Luis Barragan. He was a Mexicana architect and engineer. He has always been someone I know I could talk to about design, colors and authenticity. He always kind of guided my personal mission behind Tequila Corrido having principles of Modernism while remaining deeply rooted in Mexican tradition.
One thing I cannot live without…It’s a toss-up between Tequila and Tacos.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… a firefighter!
I’m inspired by…Everything—especially architecture. My mom is a painter, so I see inspiration in interior design, art, and logos. My most favorite thing about restaurants is the build—that creative piece. Collaboration and building are inspiring.
The one person who motivates me is…my wife Kacey. She is an amazing sounding board, and she is constantly helping me with the businesses. The way she can hear my side and then redirect is truly phenomenal.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be… Be open minded and try new things. I want everyone to try Tequila because there are a lot of people who won’t event try it because they had a bad experience, or they think they just won’t like it.
The perfect day would be…My family and I at the beach and a lot of Tequila Corrido.
My first job was…When I turned 15, I was a busboy. I also did a newspaper route, mowed lawns and washed cars for my neighbors—I did it all!
My favorite escape…Is coffee shops. I like Jojo right now and Street Coffee.
My life…Is never a dull moment.
I’m currently working on…A consulting project for a new hotel in Paradise Valley.
Always…Be Corrido!
Never…Say never.
Favorite Quote… “Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” –Lewis Carroll
Biggest Dream…To make Tequila Corrido an International Spirit.
My Pet Peeve(s)…Serving a tequila with a lime and salt. Pair it with an orange, it tastes better.
Bio-on yourself/company: Most know Brian Raab as the highly successful restaurateur behind some of the biggest restaurants in Arizona such as The Mission and Fat Ox. After literally thousands of nights pouring tens of thousands of tequila shots at The Mission, he has learned his way around agave. It was at Mission where he first met the man who would end up influencing his future. Brad Hoover, the founder of Tequila Corrido, was a passionate owner at the time, trying to get his superior tequila off the ground. He and Raab instantly felt a connection, and Raab and Hoover became fast friends. After Hoover passed away, Raab’s passion for tequila, matched with his long-standing relationship with Hoover, made it simple for him to get behind the brand, and try to not only pick up where Hoover left off, but more importantly, fulfill Hoover’s vision for the brand and see it become the success it deserved. In every bottle, Tequila Corrido captures the attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and pursuit of enjoyment. From its traditional and refined approach to distilling and precise barrel aging process in its Guadalajara distillery, to its fun and lighthearted local deliveries out of their retro VW bus named ‘Selena’ — Tequila Corrido connects people, style and stories.
