We had the good fortune of connecting with Chef Nikki In The Mix and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chef Nikki, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
One of the biggest habits that has helped me succeed is consistency. Whether it’s perfecting recipes, building relationships with my community, or growing my brand, Chef Nikki In The Mix, I’m committed. Another key habit is staying connected to my “why.” I started Vegan House Of Pancakes to offer delicious, plant-based breakfast options without sacrificing flavor, and keeping that mission at the center of everything I do keeps me motivated.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Vegan House Of Pancakes (VHOP) is a vegan breakfast restaurant built around our specialty pancake mix, Nikki’s Fat Ass Cakes. What sets us apart is that we’re not just catering to vegans—our food speaks for itself. Whether you’re plant-based or not, when you take a bite, you know it’s just that good. Our focus is on making amazing food that people love, no matter their dietary preferences.

I got to where I am today because I created my own vegan pancake mix. I’ve always loved pancakes, and when I went vegan, I wanted to make sure I could still enjoy them without sacrificing flavor or texture. That passion led me to develop Nikki’s Fat Ass Cakes, which I first started selling online. Over time, that grew into something bigger, and now I’m running a restaurant where people can come and enjoy these pancakes fresh off the griddle.

I wouldn’t say the journey was easy, but it was doable with time management and financial discipline. Going from selling pancake mix online to operating a restaurant was a huge leap, but I stayed focused. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to stay in my lane. I’m not trying to do what everyone else is doing—I keep my blinders on, I know my audience, and I focus on making the best pancakes possible.

What I want the world to know about VHOP is that I’m selling food that makes people feel good. When you eat here, you’re not just getting a meal—you’re experiencing something made with love. People feel happy eating it, they feel happy supporting us, and the community has poured so much love and financial support into this business. I’m forever grateful because they’ve embraced not just my food, but my family as well. And we love them right back.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support of my community. First and foremost, I want to give a huge shoutout to my partner, Grey. He’s the one who convinced me to start selling Nikki’s Fat Ass Cakes after I made them for him one morning. He believed in the product from the start, came up with the name and logo, and has been my biggest supporter ever since. He constantly promoted me on social media, encouraged me to take this dream seriously, and is now my business partner. His faith in me and this brand has meant everything.

I also want to recognize the incredible vegan community in Atlanta and beyond. The love and support from people who share a passion for good food—whether they’re longtime vegans or just exploring plant-based options—have helped VHOP grow. Lastly, I’m grateful for all the small business owners and entrepreneurs who have shared advice, resources, and encouragement along the way. Building a brand is tough, but having a strong support system makes all the difference.

Website: https://vhop.food

Instagram: @veganhouseofpancakes

Image Credits
Jeeah Yisrael

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