Naser Alatrash is the oldest child in an immigrant family whose entrepreneurial success embodies the American Dream.
Alatrash learned the value of hard work by watching his father toil in several jobs to keep his family afloat. When he was 16, Alatrash was gifted the family’s old minivan. Without his father’s knowledge, Alatrash sold the vehicle and used the proceeds to buy two smaller vehicles, which he sold at a profit. The transactions emboldened Alatrash to pursue financial opportunities with vigor and confidence.
Today, Alatrash and his brother are co-founders of Mesquite Fresh Street Mex, which has grown into a multi-location enterprise known for cooking fresh ingredients over mesquite wood flames. Alatrash envisions expanding to 25 new locations within the next five years.
“I firmly believe that taking risks is essential for achieving significant progress and success in business,” Alatrash said. “The most significant risk I have taken in my entrepreneurial journey was sacrificing all the hard-earned money I had saved for years to start my own business. At that moment, it was an enormous gamble that could have gone either way — failure or success. However, I believed in my vision and my ability to execute it, and I was willing to take the risk.
“This decision allowed me to jump-start my business and take control of my financial future, but it also taught me valuable lessons about the importance of careful planning, strategic decision-making and perseverance. I learned to think outside the box and be creative in my approach, and I realized that taking risks is not about being reckless but rather about being willing to make a bold move when the time is right.”
Alatrash has also ventured into real estate investments. Starting with a run-down property, he gradually transformed it into a valuable asset and expanded his portfolio. Today, through his company Alatrash Investments, he manages an estimated $10 million in real estate assets.
In addition to his business pursuits, Alatrash is committed to making a positive impact in the community. Mesquite Fresh Street Mex supports organizations such as Phoenix Rescue Mission and participates in fundraisers for local schools. Mesquite also organizes an annual toy drive in which customers are encouraged to donate toys in exchange for free tacos, which benefits disadvantaged children during the holiday season.
Through Alatrash’s leadership, Mesquite Fresh Street Mex has not only achieved financial success, generating over $15 million in annual revenue, but also provided stable employment for over 100 individuals and supported numerous charitable causes.
