Tinley Entrepreneur Makes Forbes '30 Under 30': Jon Basíl Tequila

TINLEY PARK, IL — When Belall Taher was studying accounting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2015, he didn't know he would be meeting his best friend and future business partner. After building and branding a craft tequila business called Jon Basíl Tequila, Taher and his best friend turned business partner, Uduimoh Ellis Umolu, have been listed in the Forbes "30 Under 30" 2021 food and drink edition.

Taher, 27, the child of Palestinian immigrants, and Umolu, 28, the child of African immigrants, are among the youngest creators of premium liquor, according to Forbes.

"We had become close friends and always talked about creating a business together. We decided we wanted to have our own product, something we can experience and share with our friends and family," Taher said. "That's when we decided that we wanted to look at the liquor industry, because we felt it was recession proof. We decided to get into tequila because we felt the industry was lacking a brand that could represent quality, and be more than just an alcohol brand."

The pair launched Jon Basíl Tequila in December 2018. Taher said they named the brand after Umolu's father after visiting Jalisco, Mexico. Jon Basíl Tequila has gained a loyal customer base of 15,000 in Illinois, according to Forbes. Taher said he and Umolu are on track to begin selling their tequila in other states after landing deals with Walmart, Binny's and Mariano's. The Tinley native said other distributions may also be added to the mix in the future.

According to the website, Jon Basíl Tequila is distilled from 100 percent ripened agave plants, blended from the high and low lands of Jalisco. The agave plants are slow cooked to extract sweet nectar. Then, the nectar is fermented, infused with fresh rainwater, double distilled, oxidized, assembled and examined by hand. The brand says its tequila is "unexplainably smooth" and the finish provides a "uniquely premium experience suitable to enhance every occasion."

Taher said it took years for the brand to get to where it is now, and that he and Umolu were determined to grow the business together.

"I couldn't be happier with my business partner. We were definitely best friends before, but now we are family," Taher said. "Sometimes people get into business with friends or family, and it doesn't work out. I was just lucky enough to meet somebody who had a similar mindset as myself. We're a really well-rounded team and learn from each other every day."

Jon Basíl Tequila can be found in various places in Illinois, including here in the suburban Chicago area in towns including Joliet, Homewood, Oak Forest, Blue Island and more. See all location that sell Jon Basíl Tequila here.

Taher said working with his father at Matteson Wine & Spirits when he was younger set him up to achieve his current business.

"I want to pay homage to my pops," Taher said. "He really did teach me the right way to run a business. My dad has been there for me since I was a kid. I graduated from the university, with my bachelors in accounting, which helped with running my business ... but if it wasn't for my dad instilling all that knowledge in me, I don't think I'd be where I am today."

Taher added, "Every day, he motivates me to work harder and never settle. That's one of our staples in our brand ... We all deal with things in life, and we learned that we can never take losses, but only learn lessons."

Learn more about Jon Basíl Tequila by visiting its website.