Meet the Waukee CEO who's breaking business norms
Why it matters: Mac Nab 's credit-card payment-processing company pushes a blunt "work hard, play hard" culture that isn't typical in Waukee — but he believes it's key to success and finding the next generation of talent.
"Most corporations that have corporate people, like a Principal — even the top CEOs wouldn't last six months here because it's just too different than the stereotypical way of running a business," Mac Nab says.
Flashback: Mac Nab, who is Vietnamese American, faced turbulence in his childhood and moved around often, working at a young age to support his mom. At 10, he walked around his neighborhood, selling his mom's eggrolls for cash.
He didn't attend college and instead worked at a credit-card processing company for 11 years before deciding to start his venture in Iowa.
"That's why I don't look at resumes. That's why I give a flying s--- what college you came from," Mac Nab says. "I'm looking for genuine people."
State of play: When he launched VizyPay in 2017, he had just three employees, and brought in $97,000 in revenue that first year. The early days were tough — long hours and a demanding environment — until he realized he wanted to build a workplace where people actually enjoyed coming in.
Now, VizyPay is at nearly $27 million in revenue with 86 employees and an emphasis on "culture before anything," Mac Nab says.
The intrigue: Prior to the pandemic, VizyPay was experiencing steady growth, but 2020 provided an unexpected surge in customers.
As people experienced layoffs, some started their own businesses and needed a credit-card processor. More people were also searching for work, which helped VizyPay grow its own workforce. The company scaled in 2021-22, Mac Nab says.
Zoom in: The Waukee office near Vibrant Music Hall first appears like today's typical open-concept office.
But on a closer look, there are signs of the mentality Mac Nab pushes, like a mural that also has the words "work f------ harder" hidden in the art.
VizyPay's "war room" displays a shelf of liquor and a bottle of Clase Azul tequila. It's where Mac Nab reminisced on the worries of 2020 and whom he would have to cut — and how the company grew instead.
There's a full-scale bar where employees get a happy hour every week that's also held weddings and graduation parties. And the company is known for its giant holiday parties, which Mac Nab touts are for the "sexy-ass, high-energy individuals at our company."
Fun fact: Employees receive unlimited discretionary time off, as well as an annual $1,000 to use however they want, as long as it benefits a small-business owner.
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Forbes
19-06-2025
- Forbes
Clase Azul's New Blanco Ahumado Brings Jalisco To Life
Clase Azul Mexico's new Blanco Ahumado. Clase Azul México As a longtime tequila lover, Clase Azul Mexico is among my go-to brands. I've long admired the company's beautiful spirits and the gorgeous, collectible handmade decanters they come in. The Clase Azul Tequila Plata is my favorite expression, but the new Clase Azul Tequila Blanco Ahumado has me at a full stop—with a distinct smoky profile reminiscent of mezcal, it is a stunner, to say the least. Blanco Ahumado marries the methods of mezcal making with the traditions of tequila. The brand's Master Artisan, Viridiana Tinoco, explains that it is made by cooking blue weber agave in a pit dug into the ground and lit with firewood and volcanic rocks. Shredding and fermenting the agave comes next. The final step is double distilling the liquid in custom-made copper stills. The release about the tequila says that the spirit "is imbued with the essence of Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico, where Clase Azul Mexico is based. Tequila may be famous, but the region itself, save for a few areas, is largely untraversed and begging to be explored. I've been lucky enough to visit Mexico numerous times and have been to parts of Jalisco, but there is so much more I have yet to touch. In celebration of her new tequila, Viridiana shared why she loves Jalisco so much and what visitors can see and do when they come Our interview follows. The press release for Blanco Ahumado says that the tequila is 'imbued with the essence of Los Altos de Jalisco.' What exactly does this mean, and how and why does Jalisco play such an important role in Blanco Ahumado's identity? The Altos de Jalisco, or the Jaliscan Highlands, are a geographic and cultural region in the eastern part of Jalisco, known for tequila production but also as a bastion of Mexican culture rich in tradition and heritage. Jalisco is also the home of Clase Azul Mexico. While most tequilas are now cooked above ground, the method of underground baking dates back to the beginning of tequila production in Jalisco. Tell us your inspiration for rescuing the ancestral tequila-making methods of the past. How does this method affect the flavor profile of Blanco Ahumado? Everything we do at Clase Azul Mexico is aimed at sharing the magic of Mexico with the world - old and new, traditional, and trailblazing. The cooking process used to create Blanco Ahumado is a way to pay tribute to the history, but also the future, of the tequila category. By using methods from the past, we also create something newer for the future, which is the perfect blend of time-honored tradition and innovation. Although the agave used to make Blanco Ahumado is cooked underground, like mezcal, what keeps it a tequila is the use of Blue Weber Agave. Mezcals can be made from a variety of agaves, but tequila must be made with Blue Weber - what actually gives mezcal a large part of its flavor profile is the method of cooking the agaves in a pit dug into the ground. Agaves used for tequila are not often baked this way, so the final result is a tequila with a delicately smoky profile. Besides the delicious tequilas from the region, what are some other wondrous things Jalisco is known for? What makes Jalisco so special? Jalisco is a stunning state in Mexico, renowned for its rich cultural heritage. It's the cradle of mariachi music, our iconic Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican hat dance) dance, charrería (Mexican rodeo), and exquisite handicrafts. Our cuisine is also a highlight, featuring specialties like tortas ahogadas, pozole, and carnes en su jugo. Guadalajara, the state capital, is Mexico's second-largest city in terms of population and commerce, and a leader in development and growth. Jalisco is also home to numerous breathtaking tourist destinations, including Puerto Vallarta's beautiful beaches, the luxurious Careyes, Chapala's vast lake, Tapalpa's setting in the Sierra Madre, and much more. When you're not making tequilas and mezcals, where are your favorite places to visit in Jalisco? What are some of your favorite restaurants? What are the best hotels for travelers? I'm a foodie and Jalisco's cuisine is amazing. I frequent restaurants like Xocol. Bruna, and one of my absolute favorites is Hueso - Alfonso Cadena's restaurant which surprises guests with its spectacular design and a fusion of French and American cuisine, as well as its use of exotic flavors. For more traditional eats, I love La Birria de la 30 in downtown Guadalajara for the birria, and the torta ahogadas at Las Tortas del Profe Jiménez can't be beat. Tortas ahogadas, for example, are exclusive to Guadalajara, since you cannot find this type of bread anywhere else in Mexico - so this is highly recommended when in town. If you are in the mood for out of this world tacos, Juan's famous barbacoa tacos is a culinary gem born in the heart of Santa Tere. With numerous locations, their barbecue tacos, whether soft or crunchy, offer an explosion of flavor. I'm also a fan of having drinks at Alexa's or El Gallo Altanero, and for a "Guadalatiki" experience, head to De la O Cantina which offers a fusion of traditional Guadalajaran flavors and food offerings with the vibrant and tropical concept of a tiki bar. It's the best place to try local tequilas and so much fun! And if you're in the mood for dessert, try Churros La Bombilla – they sell churros and hot chocolate beloved by Tapatios (Guadalajara locals) or for you're looking for something cold, go enjoy Raspados Jalisco, the first ice cream shop to open in the center of Guadalajara in 1926. When it comes to hotels, I prefer boutique options like Casa Habita and Demetria, but if you're looking for luxury, the Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton are also great choices. I love Casa Habita's unbeatable location and design in the trendiest area of Guadalajara, Colonia Lafayette. It's a house designed in the '40s with a newly built contemporary tower offering 37 rooms and suites. Demetria has a breathtaking glass and metal design and is also located in Lafayette - the property offers hotel rooms, but you can also rent one of their 6 private apartments. I'm also passionate about exploring Jalisco's beautiful destinations. In Jalisco, you can get a little bit of everything, different aspects of our culture that appeal to everyone. Puerto Vallarta, for example, is known for exciting nightlife, a bustling downtown and I could spend hours walking up and down the Malecon - the beach-side boardwalk where street performers keep you entertained and there's an abundance of shopping and food options to keep you full and happy. Visit the ChocoMuseo Puerto Vallarta, where you can also make your own chocolate. If you want something a bit more private and luxurious, Careyes offers gorgeous architecture, hidden beaches with swimmable coves and offers a stunning mix of Mediterranean and Mexican styles. It's the perfect getaway if you want to immerse yourself in nature, while also ejoying art, culture and community. In your opinion, what's the best way for travelers to experience Jalisco's tequila culture? If you come to learn about the history and process of tequila, you have to visit Tequila, a town in the state of Jalisco about an hour from Guadalajara. It's known as the birthplace of tequila and is famous for its tequila production. The city is situated near the Tequila volcano and is surrounded by fields of the main ingredient, the blue agave plant. The production process can be observed in various distilleries and haciendas. The National Tequila Museum and the Los Abuelos Museum have exhibits on the history of this drink. You can also visit the Altos region, which is one of the best regions for producing tequila in Jalisco, located about an hour and a half from Guadalajara. To enjoy tequila-based drinks like the Paloma or Batanga, head to La Capilla - one of the oldest cantinas in town.
San Francisco Chronicle
18-06-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Thrilling new food options are giving this 25-year-old Bay Area mall a second wind
On a typical weekend lunch rush, Grand Century Mall rumbles with hundreds of hungry bellies. Elders sporting their spiffiest hats go on food court dates, deepening their love over broken rice plates. Young couples pushing strollers analyze what patrons are eating in search of dining inspiration. Virtually every teenager in the building wields a beverage: coffee topped with foamed cream, fresh sugarcane nectar, pandan milk tea. For 25 years, this 150,000-square-foot mall has been a fixture of the Little Saigon neighborhood in San Jose, the city with the largest population of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. But the shopping center is on the mend from the pandemic, when food court tables were threaded with caution tape and several businesses shuttered. Many of those vacancies remain today. In recent years, Grand Century Mall has evolved its food offerings — comprising about a 10th of the building's 100 spaces — to adapt to the tastes of a new generation of Vietnamese Americans. Among the new options are a choice cơm tấm kiosk and two full-service restaurants: one specializes in bánh cuốn, the other in contemporary street food marvels like rice paper salad. With this tasty new cohort, I can't help but feel like the mall is finding its groove again. Developer Lap Tang opened Grand Century Mall in 2000. A refugee and innovator of Vietnamese TV show dubbing, Tang wanted to build a place of business specifically for the Vietnamese. He enticed entrepreneurs, he told NBC, by not charging a deposit. Before Grand Century hit the scene, Lion Plaza, a strip mall a few miles south, was the hot spot. 'Everything that Lion Plaza was, Grand Century was bigger, but [Grand Century] was more of an American mall,' said Paulette Tran, an east San Jose native and chef-owner of 3 Bottle Fish in Oakland. That said, unlike many American malls, Grand Century doesn't have an Old Navy or a Macy's, and the food court eschews chains like Sbarro and Panda Express. Tran saw how the mall drove Vietnamese folks to Little Saigon. On weekends, she'd go to pick up CDs and tapes, then snack on crispy, spicy Vietnamese-style beef jerky, which was harder to find then, she said. 'Vietnamese American culture is what the Grand Century represents, it's a centerpiece for refugee gathering,' said Hieu Le, co-owner of Hết Sẩy, a southern Vietnamese cart and popup based in San Jose. Growing up in Sacramento, Le would often make the pilgrimage to San Jose and the mall. Now, 'it's so much more vibrant,' he said, with far more activities. Last year, the mall hosted a night market event in the parking lot and got a strong turnout — so much so that the mall has programmed monthly night markets through the summer. Hết Sẩy was one of the inaugural vendors; Le said the event 'helps so many businesses inside that mall, not only the outside businesses.' This promise comes at a moment of resurgence for other Bay Area malls focusing on younger Asian Americans. 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Hypebeast
18-06-2025
- Hypebeast
Clase Azul México Announces Ancestral-Inspired Tequila Blanco Ahumado
Clase Azul Méxicohas announced the latest icon to join its portfolio of premium tequilas and mezcals. TheClase Azul Tequila Blanco Ahumadoencapsulates the heritage of the Mexican brand, emphasizing artisanal mastery, dedication to quality and an unparalleled tasting experience birthed by a revival of ancient cooking techniques. The subtle, smokey composition pays homage to the beautiful regions of Los Altos de Jalisco, home to Clase Azul México. Speaking of the brand's latest tequila addition as a delight to the senses and a paean to the natural beauty of agave, Master Distiller Viridiana Tinoco at Clase Azul México shares the following: 'Looking to achieve a smokey profile for this tequila, I set out to capture the essence of traditional mezcal-making, reinterpreting each stage of the process to elevate the unique character of the blue agave, but this time through a deliberate act.' To create this unique, expressive blend of tequila, blue agave cores are cooked in an ancestral oven within the ground. Lit with firewood and volcanic rocks, the agave is later shredded before undergoing a meticulous fermentation process including Clase Azul's proprietary yeast obtained from select agave fields. Aromatic notes of plum, red apple and fresh lemon create a silky, smooth tequila punctuated by a smokey essence. Well-regarded for its decadent decanters — sculptural statement pieces that elevate personal bar carts and on-trend bars alike — the Tequila Blanco Ahumado is no different in its poetic presentation. It's bottled in a semi-transparent decanter alluding to the smoke and volcanic rocks that heat the agave, with a luxurious copper-toned emblem and cap that capture the richness of the liquid's traditional cooking process. The spirit continues Clase Azul's mission to create memorable tasting rituals distinguished by the stunning landscapes and indigenous regions of Mexico. Visit Clase Azul México'swebsiteto learn more about the Tequila Blanco Ahumado spirit. DISCLAIMER:We discourage irresponsible and/or underage drinking. Drink responsibly and legally.
