Meet Jaime Lepe | CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaime Lepe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaime, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The decision to start the business really began with my father. He bought the original Tropical Mexico back in 1977. He didn’t know how to read or write and only went to school through the second grade, so he knew early on that a traditional corporate path wasn’t going to be an option for him. What he did have was an incredible work ethic, determination, and the desire to be his own boss.
Owning a restaurant gave him the opportunity to build something with his hands, support his family, and create stability where there otherwise might not have been many doors open. Tropical Mexico became more than a business—it became a lifeline for our family.
As the second generation of ownership, my thought process was about honoring that sacrifice while continuing to grow what he started. I saw firsthand how much hard work it took to keep the doors open, and that instilled a deep sense of responsibility in me. I didn’t just want to run a restaurant—I wanted to protect a legacy, modernize it, and make sure it could thrive for future generations.
At the end of the day, the business represents resilience, opportunity, and family. It’s proof that even with limited formal education, hard work and persistence can create something lasting.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Tropical Mexico is more than just a restaurant—it’s a family legacy that started in 1977 and continues to evolve today. What sets us apart is that everything we do is rooted in consistency, hard work, and respect for where we came from. We focus on traditional Mexican food made with care, but just as importantly, we focus on creating a place where families feel comfortable, welcomed, and taken care of. For many of our guests, this isn’t just a place to eat—it’s part of their routine and their memories.
I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve been able to stay open and relevant across generations in an industry where that’s extremely difficult. We’ve had parents bring their kids, and now those kids bring their own families. That kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from showing up every day, listening to your customers, adapting when needed, and never cutting corners on quality or values.

Business-wise, we got here through sacrifice and persistence. My father, Jaime Lepe Sr., came to the U.S. and started as a dishwasher because of the language barrier, working nearly 80 hours a week and earning about $80 a week. He saved every dollar he could and eventually bought Tropical Mexico. Growing up, the restaurant was always the number one priority. We didn’t take vacations, and everyone in the family helped in some way. That environment shaped how I approach business today.

It definitely wasn’t easy. The restaurant industry is demanding—long hours, tight margins, staffing challenges, and constant change. There were moments of doubt, especially during economic downturns and periods of rapid change, where simply surviving felt like an accomplishment. What helped us overcome those challenges was staying disciplined, being willing to adapt, and never losing sight of why we started. We learned to modernize without losing our identity and to grow without forgetting our roots.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned are patience, humility, and consistency. Success isn’t about one big moment—it’s about making the right decisions over and over again, even when no one is watching. It’s also about treating employees and customers with respect, because people are ultimately the reason any business survives.

What I want the world to know about our brand and our story is that Tropical Mexico represents opportunity. It’s proof that even with limited formal education or resources, hard work, discipline, and family support can build something lasting. We’re proud of where we came from, grateful for the community that supports us, and excited to continue growing while honoring the legacy that started it all.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want to give them a true Southern California experience—food, family, sports, nature, and a little fun mixed in.
We’d start close to home with food. A stop at Tropical Mexico would be a must so they could experience the place that means the most to me. From there, we’d spend some time in Downtown Pomona, walking around, grabbing coffee, and soaking in the local vibe.
One full day would absolutely be dedicated to Disneyland Park. No matter how old you are, Disneyland never gets old. It’s one of those places that brings out the kid in everyone and makes for a full, unforgettable day.
A Dodger game at Dodger Stadium would be a for-sure event. There’s nothing like being at the stadium, especially for someone visiting LA—it’s pure energy, history, and tradition all in one.
If they were visiting at the right time of year, the LA County Fair would be a must. It’s a Pomona staple—great food, live entertainment, and something the whole family can enjoy. It really represents the community.
To balance things out, I’d plan a day up at Mount Baldy for some light hiking and fresh air. It’s a great reminder that within a short drive, you can go from city life to the mountains and completely reset.
We’d also squeeze in a beach day in Santa Monica, with time to walk the pier, eat well, and slow things down. One or two days would be left open for just hanging out—grilling, watching sports, spending time with family, and enjoying good conversation.
What makes this area special isn’t just one place—it’s the variety. You can experience theme parks, professional sports, local culture, nature, and incredible food all in the same week. That mix is what I love about Southern California, and it’s exactly what I’d want any visitor to experience.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My biggest shoutout will always be to my family, especially my father, Jaime Lepe Sr. When he came to the United States, he started at the very bottom, working as a dishwasher because of the language barrier. He was working close to 80 hours a week and earning about $80 a week. While it wasn’t much by any standard here, it was more than what he made in Mexico—and more importantly, it opened his eyes to what could be possible through hard work and ownership.
He quickly realized that the real opportunity came from having something of his own. So he saved every dollar he could, rarely spending money on himself, with one goal in mind: building a future. That discipline and sacrifice eventually allowed him to purchase Tropical Mexico in 1977.
Growing up, my siblings and I were deeply involved in the restaurant. We didn’t take vacations because the business was always the number one priority. My sister worked with us for many years before going on to open her own law firm, and my brother also helped support the restaurant throughout the years. Those experiences taught us responsibility, teamwork, and resilience from a very young age.
I also want to recognize our employees and our community. Many of our customers have supported us across generations, and that loyalty is something I never take for granted. This journey has never been about one person—it’s been built on family, sacrifice, and perseverance.

Website: https://TropMex.com

Instagram: tropmex

Facebook: Tropical Mexico

Yelp: Tropical Mexico Restaurant

Image Credits
I took all the pictures. Jaime Lepe and Daisy Lepe