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Nestled in the heart of Santa Monica, ZJ Boarding House became more than just a surf, skate, and snowboard retail business—it evolved into a community hub that shaped the local culture and lifestyle. For Mikke Pierson, co-founder of ZJ Boarding House, this wasn’t just a business venture; it was a transformative journey that helped him discover his voice as a leader, mentor, and community builder.
Mikke’s journey to entrepreneurship started early. His first job at 15, running the kitchen at KFC in Malibu, taught him the value of systems and processes—lessons he would carry with him throughout his career. By the time he co-founded ZJ Boarding House with Todd Roberts in 1988, Mikke had learned that a successful business was about more than just selling products. It was about building a culture, fostering community, and creating a place where employees and customers felt like they belonged.
A Surfer’s Passion Meets Business Acumen
Mikke’s love for the surf and skate culture formed the backbone of ZJ Boarding House. From the very beginning, the store wasn’t just a retail shop—it was a gathering place for local surfers, skaters, and snowboarders. Mikke and his partner, Todd, welcomed the young and enthusiastic crowd that frequented the shop, encouraging them to hang out, share stories, and find community. This open and inclusive approach created a loyal customer base and a strong sense of belonging.
Yet Mikke’s success wasn’t just rooted in passion. His background in systems and processes set ZJ Boarding House apart from other local businesses. He understood early on that running a business required more than enthusiasm. He needed structure. Mikke focused on building the operational backbone of the company, ensuring that everything from inventory management to staff scheduling ran like clockwork. This approach allowed ZJ Boarding House to scale and thrive, winning recognition as one of the best retailers in Los Angeles and Santa Monica multiple times.
But beyond the accolades and growth, Mikke’s true achievement lay in his ability to build a strong team. Over 30 years, he hired around 800 employees, many of them young people who saw ZJ Boarding House as a stepping stone in life. For Mikke, this was a leadership moment. He saw the potential in these young employees and invested in their development, creating an environment where they could grow, learn, and eventually move on to new opportunities. Many stayed in touch with him long after leaving the shop.
“The course of my life took me to a place where I realized my true mission was to help people,” Mikke reflects. “Whether it was my employees, my community, or the young surfers who came to the shop, I always felt like I could make a positive impact.”
Building Value Through Culture and Leadership
One of the defining characteristics of ZJ Boarding House was its culture of inclusivity and support. Mikke and Todd didn’t just focus on selling products; they focused on creating a brand that resonated with their customers. Todd handled the branding and marketing, ensuring that ZJ Boarding House reflected the values and lifestyle of the surf and skate community. Meanwhile, Mikke focused on the numbers and systems, ensuring the business remained profitable and operationally sound.
This partnership worked because their values were aligned. They shared a vision for what the store could become, and they complemented each other’s strengths. “The key to a good partnership is having complementary skills and aligned values,” Mikke says. “I handled the business side while Todd focused on the brand, and together we built something that was bigger than both of us.”
Mikke’s approach to leadership extended beyond just managing the day-to-day operations of the store. He was deeply committed to his employees’ development, urging them to attend college and offering flexible shifts to accommodate their personal lives. This culture of care wasn’t just good for employee morale—it was good for business. Low staff turnover and a strong sense of loyalty meant that ZJ Boarding House ran smoothly, even during challenging times like the 2008 recession.
During the recession, Mikke faced one of his toughest leadership moments. The business was struggling, and he had to make the heartbreaking decision to lay off 17 employees. It was a defining moment in his leadership journey, one that forced him to rely on the strong relationships he had built with both his staff and vendors. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” he admits. “But the relationships we
had built over the years helped us get through it. Our vendors supported us, and our customers remained loyal.”
Finding His Voice Through Entrepreneurship
Running ZJ Boarding House wasn’t just a business for Mikke—it was a journey of personal discovery and growth. In the early years, Mikke felt that he didn’t have a voice. He was learning on the job, unsure of how to lead or communicate effectively. That all changed when he hired a business coach who helped him find his leadership voice.
“I wasn’t a good communicator or leader when I started ZJ,” Mikke reflects. “But my coach taught me how to lead, how to communicate, and how to build a team. It was a game-changer for me.”
This experience taught Mikke the importance of mentorship and personal growth. He realized that leadership wasn’t just about making decisions or managing people—it was about evolving as a person. This growth mindset became a core part of his leadership philosophy, guiding him not only in business but also in his future roles as a certified business coach and a public servant.
Conclusion: Leadership as Legacy
For Mikke Pierson, the story of ZJ Boarding House is about more than just building a successful business— it’s about finding his voice as a leader and making a positive impact on his employees, his community, and the surf culture he loved. The store became a symbol of community, inclusivity, and growth, and Mikke’s leadership ensured that it was more than just a retail shop—it was a place where people felt valued and supported. His journey through entrepreneurship taught him lessons that would carry him into public service, nonprofit work, and business coaching. The values that guided him—helping others, building strong systems, and leading with empathy—remain at the core of everything he does.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Mikke Pierson, Business Growth, Personal Development
#Entrepreneurship #Leadership #MikkePierson
