Meet Ty Nicole Tucker | Mixologist & Owner of SoMixxy, Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ty Nicole Tucker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ty Nicole, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I ask myself this question more often than not. No matter how hard life hits, nor how far left the pendulum swings, the answer is always to keep going. I am without a doubt, a living reflection of my mother and both of my grandmothers. These are the women who raised me, imparted their wisdom onto me and covered me in prayer. They are the inspiration behind everything I do. Growing up, I was fascinated by their backstories, intrigued as I watched their struggles and in awe as I witnessed their triumphs over the years. In different ways, they showed me, firsthand, what it meant to persevere. They are my why. They are the reason I am who I am and also the reason behind my dedication to success. I am here to carry out their legacy, so giving up is never an option. No matter how hard the path may become, there is victory on the other side.

“Failure isn’t failure unless you give up before you succeed.” – Fawn Weaver, the owner & CEO of Uncle Nearest.
This is one of my favorite quotes that keeps me focused on my end goal. It changes the perspective of the daunting fear of failure. In fact, when you really think about it, failure doesn’t even exist. When you adjust your mindset to what’s perceived as failure as just being lessons learned along the journey, you allow yourself the opportunity to grow from it. The only way that you can actually fail is if you deny yourself the option to even try. This alone prevents any possibility of success. Understanding that statement forced me to not only restructure my mentality but to also reevaluate my intentions towards my end goal for the better.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s so interesting to be in this current position, because I never really imagined myself to be a “creative.” Even though as a child, I was always into the arts and culinary and even just living in my own imagination. I never thought I would find a career in freely expressing myself. My parents raised me to become a doctor, and if that didn’t work out, I was expected to get a traditional 9-5 job and stay there until retirement. However, after losing my mother to ovarian cancer in 2016, I realized that life is simply too short to do anything that doesn’t bring you peace and joy. So I bet on me.

I am now an award-winning mixologist and my art includes my craftily curated cocktails along with my boutique mixology brand, SoMixxy. With both of these outlets, I have gained the creative control to envision and execute. Not only am I able to share my personality and creativity, but I can also share my story. My journey. My truth. I love that with every cocktail I develop, I can reflect on a nostalgic memory and recreate that into something so delicious yet visually stunning. I have won at least 4 cocktail related competitions within the last two years, and I am incredibly proud that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and that I have never quit.

Getting started in the nightlife industry was not initially easy, but my determination pushed me into arenas that I never imagined. My 1st bartending job was not the best, to say the least (lol), but I was committed to finding something better. Mostly every bartending job that I’ve ever had, I have stalked my way into. In a good way, of course! I would show up to the venue during slow peak hours, ask for the manager on site and submit my resume in hand. Almost every time, this ALWAYS worked in my favor. I felt like they needed to see my face and experience my bubbly personality to know that I was the perfect fit for their team. And that also, taught me one of life’s biggest lessons. People will tell you “No,” that’s the game. Never let that stop your triumph. Find your “Yes!”

Participating in cocktail competitions has been an experience in itself. A lot of times, spirit brands dangle a prize or monetary amount with the expectation that you should put so much effort and preparation into developing this amazing drink using their product. However, when it comes to executing the reward, they lose sight of what it truly is that bartenders and mixologist really want or need. Some companies are only in it for the exposure for themselves and some sell false hope of potential exposure to the winning contender. In my short time competing, I have experienced so much and this can be very disheartening to any creative. The biggest lesson I have learned in this portion of the journey is to always advocate for yourself. The best advice I was given is Don’t Be Afraid To Walk Away! What I love about both of those is that they can be applied to any segment of your life. People, brands, companies, whoever, will give you what they think you are worth. Make sure you read your contracts line for line, word for word, bar for bar. Have a team of industry experts and legal counsel that you trust to share insight and guidance during the process. It can be overwhelming, but understanding your alignment will prevent you from sacrificing more than you are willing to lose. Yourself included.

At the end of the day, I want to freely walk in my purpose. I have never desired to be boxed in to any standard, expectation or role. I am a creative. I am a business woman. I am a sister, cousin, friend and loved one. I have been chosen to share my story and I pray that it inspires someone who may be starting their journey. So many infinite possibilities, but you’ll never have them until you try. You got this!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Anytime friends come into town, they always reach out asking where to go, so I have learned to keep a list of hotspots around the city to share. These are some of my favorite gems that never disappoint!

No Resi Monday’s at JoJo’s Beloved. The entire staff is incredible and the drinks are always on point! They have my heart forever.

Palo Santo is such a cool and sexy vibe. Dinner is divine and the rooftop is super cute when the weather is nice.

Little Spirit is one of my favorite bars in Atlanta. The drinks are beyond your conceivable imagination. I truthfully should probably apply to work here haha!

Dad’s is another dope bar concept with creatively curated cocktails. Always on my hit list when people stop through the A.

MCK is a very posh, black-owned restaurant and lounge that I just can’t seem to get enough of. Order the mussels and thank me later.

Rock Steady is the perfect spot for dancing and caribbean vibes. The restaurant on the 1st level is amazing and the lounge upstairs is meant for a killer groove.

If you want to have options, the Interlock and Ponce City Market never miss. From food to activities to bars, these two give you plenty to choose from.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe everything I am to God. He has carried me through so many trials and tribulations. This past year, I learned to lean on him more than ever and he has continued to carry me through every phase. My journey has never been an easy one and I now understand that obstacles will always be there. Your perception and reaction to the obstacle determines your outcome. Staying faithful and prayerful has allowed me to continue on this path of entrepreneurship for as long as I have. I wake up so grateful each day to be able to try again. Regardless if I fail or if I succeed, I have another day to try. That is the best piece of gratitude that I can declare.

To my family, friends, loved ones and those that just genuinely support me- THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful. I am constantly overjoyed that I am surrounded by so much love. The messages, the comments under posts, the content shares, the verbal business referrals, the encouragement when I doubt myself, all empower me to actually show up for myself and be the best version I possibly can. You speak life into me and it never goes unnoticed. I promise to continue to make you all proud. So this one is dedicated to ya’ll. Thank you for bringing out the best in me, even when it’s harder to see the best in myself.

To my SoMixxy #Startenders! You ladies truly complete me! You have helped to make my vision come to life and I am so honored to work with each of you. Literally started from the bottom and now we are GROWING as women together! I get so excited whenever I get the opportunity to talk about the women I work with, because it is incredibly empowering to see other individuals who look like you, who are in the same industry and who genuinely have your back. I look forward to everything we do next, because I know it will be better than we imagined. You ladies are magic.

Honorable mentions go to any brands, companies or entities that have partnered with me and SoMixxy over the last few years. To our incredible client base that continue to support us by referring our brand to their network. To anyone who has shared their platform, allowing me an opportunity to showcase my talent and skill sets. I am forever grateful.

Website: www.somixxy.com

Instagram: @tynicoletucker @somixxy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-tucker-0b0b48128/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/somixxy

Image Credits
@Madisonfromdallas @Latishamariee @sauba_shoots @thecorkbros @walkwithenoch