Meet Miki Miller Montfort of Morrow

Today we’d like to introduce you to Miki Miller Montfort.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Crafting was my way of finding calm and managing the stress of everyday life, and I never imagined it would become a business. It was simply my quiet, creative outlet. As I began making pieces for others, that outlet grew into a gift shop, and that’s when the space began to evolve into something I hadn’t expected.

Through our events and gatherings, I saw young girls and others in the community grow more confident and comfortable being themselves. Whether someone is bold, quiet, or still discovering who they are, the space gives them permission to embrace their uniqueness. That’s when I realized Mikana Designs (Pretty Things Inside) was never really about shopping, it’s about creating experiences that help people feel seen and encouraged.

It’s not just about the pretty designs or inspirational decor, it’s about the beauty within yourself and the confidence to be you. Seeing the joy on young girls’ faces and reading the notes they leave me showed me the impact the space was making, and that filled me with a happiness I never expected.

Today, I’m in a place where I’ve learned to trust my own creativity and embrace the idea that softness, calm & “introverted” is actually a strength. Most importantly to know that I’m building something genuine. At its heart, it’s still about pretty things, but even more about the connection, confidence, and inner beauty that the space inspires in everyone who walks through the doors.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road at all! Whew being an entrepreneur is really a series of emotions just a crazy emotional roller coaster. I remember sitting in the store for almost a year and barely seeing a few customers. Hosting events and maybe one or no one shows up, but I didn’t give up. I continue to show up now. I will admit I didn’t show up as my best self all the time because I was drained and unsure if I made the right decision.

One thing that I’ve learned is a location, location, location, which I knew that before starting a business, but choosing the space that I did was more about having the opportunity to get started being able to have nice things in our community our community gets such a bad rep and being able to see intentional, beautiful spaces is something that I believe is great for the community. We deserve unique, shopping, clean stores, etc..

I’ve definitely struggled with understanding my brand because it’s evolved over time, and one of the key things I’ve learned is how important it is to pivot as my business grows. Early on, I realized that small businesses need the support of their communities to thrive. People often say that small businesses charge too much trying to price gouge, but the truth is that without significant capital, it’s not possible to purchase what’s needed to sell products at the prices of major retailers. I also find myself asking, along with other entrepreneurs, why opening a storefront is often seen as the ultimate goal. While it’s celebrated as a marker of success, I’ve come to understand that it’s not always the right step, especially if it means taking on unnecessary debt. For me, the most important thing is maintaining access to capital and having a financial reserve, because unexpected challenges are inevitable, and even a week or two of setbacks can make a big difference in whether a business can continue serving its community. Keep pushing through the struggles.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In addition to running Pretty Things Inside, I work full-time as an HR professional, and I’m really proud of the impact I have in that role. HR is about helping people navigate their jobs and feel valued, and I hear a lot of the complaints, the struggles, the celebrations. Sometimes it feels like being an unpaid therapist, but it’s incredibly fulfilling to know that I’m helping people feel seen and supported in their work. Balancing a 9-to-5 with running my own business has taught me a lot about perseverance and resourcefulness. I want people to know that you don’t have to quit your day job to pursue your dreams if that’s what you need to fund your business and build it sustainably, then that’s okay. Both sides of my work, the HR side and the creative side, allow me to make a meaningful impact in different ways, and I’m very proud of that. Especially because it’s done my way and not the standard way.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love being able to witness so many successful Black people women men, teenagers kids. I am just so happy to see that Atlanta is truly a place where we can see black excellence.

What I like least is probably everyone’s most hated thing and that’s traffic.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mikanadesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopprettythingsinside?igsh=MXBrMzZtbzd4cXVmbg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/mikana-designs-morrow-2?osq=Mikana+Designs