Meet Ty Nicole Tucker | Master 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, how do you think about risk?
When I think of risk, I think about all of the endless possibilities of success. Yes- of course there are always margins of error, however with proper planning that margin is oftentimes decreased. I would even go as far to say that being a risk-taker also requires faith and manifestation. One must remain firm in your beliefs in order to affirm your thoughts, which allows you to positively manifest your achievements!

As an insurance major, it is safe to say that risk and risk management have played a major role in every facet of my life. From the moment I stepped onto the campus of Howard University, I knew I wanted to embrace every opportunity that came my way. Moving away from the Windy City of Chicago, IL was my first adult “risk” that I decided to take on my own, going against the better wishes of my parents. Although they wanted me to attend an in-state institution for my undergraduate education, I firmly believed the reward was greater than the risk of leaving home to attend a HBCU. Even a decade after completing my degree at HU, I can confidently say that not only was attending Howard University one of the best decisions that I have made to date, but it propelled every risk-taking decision I have made in my adult-life.

Taking risks has allowed me to take the initiative to bet on myself, to travel and live abroad, and to take the full-time leap into entrepreneurship. It’s been an incredible journey thus far!

What should our readers know about your business?
SoMixxy is a boutique mixology company that specializes in curating unique mixology experiences as well as customized signature cocktails featuring our SoMixxy Infused Cocktail Syrups. This year we have hosted multiple pop-events around the city of Atlanta with our Seasonal Adult To-Go Pouches, sharing the brand within our community partnered with black-owned establishments. We have also worked with a number of major corporations to host virtual mixology sessions as a team-bonding activity during the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has truly been an honor to watch the continuous growth of SoMixxy over the last 12 months! From toying with an idea that I had been sitting on for a while, to executing the proof of concept, it has been one of the most fulfilling and rewarding projects that I have ever endeavored. And this is only the beginning.

As a serial entrepreneur, I am always on the hunt for a side hustle. I started my own property management company five years ago and have maintained a way to generate passive income over the years. I have learned a lot, made very expensive mistakes, yet I’ve still been able to celebrate multiple achievements and successes. But my creative side still wasn’t fulfilled. I realized, after spending over a year living abroad, that I was searching for something that fueled my passions. Something that would involve me creating, curating, hosting, sharing my personality yet somehow involved food or beverages. Before I left for Spain, I spent almost a year bartending around Atlanta at a few nightclubs and even corporate events. I knew that this was a trade that I could use anywhere, but at the time I hadn’t considered making it a full-time business.

Upon completing my MBA at IE University Business School in Madrid, Spain, I returned back to the U.S. with some reservations about getting back behind the bar in the middle of the pandemic. I wanted to find a way to get into consumer homes, without having to leave my own. So I pivoted into teaching mixology classes- virtually but also making it a complete experience for the customer. I had already been working on the product side and decided to test out my infused cocktail syrups during my sessions. I would curate the Mixx Kits in preparation for my virtual sessions and ship them to each participant so that they would have all the mixer ingredients to craft the cocktails along with me. My 1st few groups loved the syrups and that empowered me to keep trialing the other flavors I had been working on. Summer was approaching, people were feeling more comfortable being back outside and what better way to draw in more clients than to host pop-ups? I partnered with a few minority-owned venues to sell my SoMixxy Adult To-Go Pouches featuring the SoMixxy Infused Cocktail Syrups. We even hosted a Juneteenth event that included all black-owned spirits and brands.

The lessons learned throughout the past year, have prepared me for the next steps in this journey to success. The biggest lesson that I have learned thus far, is to JUST DO IT! Today. Right now. Just start. If you have an idea, what are the steps to making it a reality? Of course you want to have a plan of action, but once you have that, execute. You can’t fail unless you try. Respectfully, you also can’t succeed unless you try. Everyday, I gain a better understanding of the needs and wants of my clientele. I am able to listen, to observe and to retrieve their feedback in order to enhance the customer experience. Today, we are still focused on providing the full mixology experience to our clients, whether in-person or virtually. We also provide the necessary products that will allow our consumers to enhance their cocktails and mocktails, as well as develop their at-home bar. I look at the potential of SoMixxy and I see the limitless growth in this industry. From cocktail syrups to bar equipment, we are continuing to grow and expand day by day. In the next five years, I look to become the Black Martha Stewart of Mixology & Barware.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
After over nine years as an Atlanta resident, I have conjured a pretty solid list of ‘must-do’s’ in the area.

On a Sunday, you can catch my friends and I celebrating Sunday Funday along the Beltline- both eastside and westside trails. While on the Eastside trail, Ponce City Market is one of my favorites as it hosts a myriad of food choices, bars and even an interactive rooftop. After brunch, take a walk or hop on a bike ride along the actual trail taking in the sites of the unique murals and artistic displays by some of ATL’s most talented creatives. Drop into Krog Street Market for a couple midday snacks. Across from Krog Street, black-owned speakeasy, The James Room, provides coffee and pastries in the mornings with specialty craft cocktails in the hidden lounge after 5pm. On Tuesday’s they even host live R&B.

Similar to PCM, there are a couple other foodhall style locations such as Politan Row at Colony Square in Midtown. This is home to the new speakeasy style lounge, Jo-Jo’s Beloved. For incredibly delicious craft cocktails and disco vibes, this spot is perfect! The location is central to a variety of other midtown bars and restaurants and even across the street from the High Museum of Art.

For my foodie lovers out there, Poor Calvin’s and Two Urban Licks are my go-to’s.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I give all honor, glory and praise to my late mother, Yvette Tucker. Everything that I am and all that I do is because of her. My mom was my rock and one of my biggest supporters! From my sense of style to my career decisions, she taught me everything I know about being a woman and Matriarch.

In March of 2016, my mom lost her short term battle with a very aggressive form of ovarian cancer. Needless to say, this ruptured my entire foundation as well as my outlook on life. I recognized that life is way too short to not live it to the absolute fullest. No matter what country I may travel to or what entrepreneurial endeavors I may approach, I know my mom is always watching over me. All of my success is dedicated to her.

My other honorable mentions are both of my grandmothers, Emogene Richardson and Belle Tucker. Each of them taught me such valuable life lessons of womanhood, independence and the importance of a proper education as an African-American woman.

I also want to take a moment to thank my Godmother, Sharon Daniel, who was my mom’s best friend and confidant. She continues to be a lifeline of support for my siblings and I. I must admit, as a young girl watching her success as a female entrepreneur in Chicago had a strong influence on my entrepreneurial journey.

Last but certainly not least, my final dedication goes to someone who is the backbone of our family. My cousin, Rhonda Calhoun, has a heart of gold and her tenacity is unmatched. No words could describe how thankful each of us are for all of the sacrifices and efforts she has given to our family. We love and appreciate you more than you will ever know!

Website: www.somixxy.com

Instagram: @tynicoletucker and @somixxy (Business Page)

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyesha.n.tucker

Image Credits
ArielViews Photography The Cork Bros