Mad Mex Fresh Mexican Grill

Mad Mex Fresh Mexican Grill was technically created in 2007, but co-founder Clovis Young cites the 1970s as the true genesis of the business.

Young grew up in southern California, where he fell in love with Mexican food. He would often take the trip to San Diego for a carne asada and guacamole burrito or go to San Francisco for tacos.

After embarking upon a Wall Street career, Young decided to pack it in, sell his house and car and move with his wife Angela to start-up Mad Mex in Australia.

This off-the-cuff decision has reaped huge rewards, with the business pulling in revenue of more than $5.3 million, placing it fifth in the StartupSmart Awards top 50. Young speaks to StartupSmart editor Oliver Milman about how he went from California to start-up success in Australia.