Connect
To Top

Meet Trailblazer Mikka Orrick

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikka Orrick.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I knew from an early age that my goal was to be an entrepreneur like my parents were. I had goals to open a restaurant one day as I started working in the industry at the age of 15. I also had a passion for the hair industry. I started my career as a hair stylist after my short run at college. In 2007, at the age of 24, I had the opportunity to open my first restaurant with my brother, Trent, called Ceviche Taqueria & Margarita Bar, on Canton Street in downtown Roswell. Seven years later in 2014, I decided to open a hair salon called The District Salon & Events with my best friend, Jessica. What started as a creative outlet turned into a thriving salon and a team. One year later in 2015, my brother and I decided to open a second location for Ceviche in downtown Alpharetta. This location was perfect for allowing our company to grow to the next level. Downtown Alpharetta was rapidly developing and I wanted to take full advantage of that by owning businesses in the area. In December of 2018, I decided to step out on my own and create a unique new concept restaurant called Shade Street Food + Bar in the Alpharetta City Center. This restaurant idea pushed my creative abilities to think outside the box. I wanted to create a concept that offered chef-inspired food and drinks from all over the world. I also wanted to create a fun high energy nightlife that the suburbs haven’t seen before. This brand has been the most exciting to build but all three companies definitely keep me busy!

Has it been a smooth road?
Every journey of being an entrepreneur has extreme highs and extreme lows. Knowing you can’t give up and you will overcome any obstacle is the only way to get through. I have had MANY hurdles in each business. One day, you think you have it all together and the next you think, you might have to close the doors and walk away. I don’t like to take no for an answer, so I always challenge myself to find different ways to successfully complete difficult tasks. Never giving up, having confidence, researching, and asking lots of questions is how I manage to be a successful entrepreneur.

We’d love to hear more about Ceviche Taqueria & Margarita Bar, Shade Street Food + Bar, The District Salon & Events.
I am a serial entrepreneur with an extreme passion for creating and bringing life to businesses. My expertise lies within the restaurant industry, however, I have never felt “limited” to just one thing. I’m a creative by trade and am always looking for that “artistic release.”

Now, 12 years after my first business venture, Ceviche, I have the opportunity to be less “hands-on” so that I have the time to focus on new passion projects and possible business ideas alike. I’ve been blessed to be able to delegate responsibilities to an Operations and Marketing Directors along with an awesome team of restaurant managers. I now mainly oversee the brand as a whole and work closely with an internal team to make it the best restaurant it can be!

With Shade as my first solo project, it has truly challenged me to establish a brand from the ground up. I wanted this concept to be a restaurant experience unlike Alpharetta has ever seen before! I loved the idea of encouraging people to step outside their “comfort food” zones by trying street food from all over the world. In order to create a brand that would be known for its energetic street edge, I had to collaborate with my internal branding team, designers, executive chef, operations director, and restaurant managers to get “all hands on deck”! From there, I managed the team day in and day out to bring my vision to life. I think a key proponent that stands out for the successful entrepreneurs vs. the not-so-successful is the team that’s behind them. While entrepreneurship can sometimes feel like a lonely road, it really takes a village to bring these dreams to reality!

As for the District – what started out as a quaint, playful space to be creative with hair has fully transformed into a thriving business with an amazing team of stylists. This concept is different from my restaurant experience in the sense that it’s my safe haven to let my creative juices flow and not feel so confined by the business world. This job keeps me on my hustle to feed that crazy passion for work that I have. With constant contact in my restaurants, day-to-day meetings, and balancing motherhood- I really look forward to the days I get to do hair especially working alongside my business partner and best friend, Jessica.

I think what sets me apart from others is my drive and fearlessness to be successful in whatever industry I want to get my hands in. The word “no” does not intimidate me… it ignites that fire and encourages the notion of “if there’s a will, there’s a way”… and there seems to always be a will with me!

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Having confidence in yourself and stay true to what you are passionate about. Passion can carry your idea, company, or career to another level! If you don’t have confidence or passion, it will be harder for you to accomplish your goals.

Pricing:

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Tori Gleeson

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in