Mikey Tanha was just named President of one of the fastest growing hospitality companies of 2019.
This interview with Mikey Tanha, the President of The Madera Group & Tocaya Organica, is part of Inspirations, a regular series from Helen Lao and ClearPath that asks extraordinary founders, executives, and rising stars in the growth-oriented food industry about their why.
Who or what inspires you and why?
My parents. They sacrificed a great deal in their own lives to provide me with opportunities that they didn’t have themselves. Every day, I make sure not to take that for granted.
What types of people do you work best with and why?
I work best with highly motivated people, those that aren’t always looking at the clock but rather looking at the challenges that lie ahead with a desire to achieve at any cost. I’m a highly motivated individual and feed off the energy of other highly motivated people.
What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far and why?
I jumped head-first into an executive role in an industry that was completely new to me. The challenge of managing teams while learning on-the-fly was extremely difficult at the time. The secret to my perseverance was embracing the art of listening…being open-minded and learning from those around me.
What’s something you’ve worked on that you’re proud of and why?
I’m proud of our team for building the charitable arm of our organization called #TocayaLife. As a company, we understand the importance of caring for our environment, and #TocayaLife is the funnel and lens through which we give back to our Planet Earth. This year, we will be launching Tocaya Life Foundation which will raise money and increase awareness for environmental charities.
What’s been one of your greatest rewards in business and why?
Putting people in positions to succeed and grow in their career paths. It’s rewarding to see others achieve their goals.
Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self and why?
Just be yourself. Authenticity goes a long way and is one of the more underrated virtues in the business world.
What's the one word that describes you and why?
Optimistic. If I approach every day with a half-glass-full mentality, I’ve learned that generally, the glass ends up being half full.
What’s one company, brand, or individual that you admire and why?
I’m a huge basketball fan, and I’m also a UCLA Alumnus. I have to go with Russell Westbrook. This is a guy that gives it 110% on every single play, regardless of time and score. He will always be able to look back at his career and know that he gave the absolute maximum effort, and his fans can appreciate that he never cheated them.
What is one thing you’d like to accomplish this year and why?
This is a very important year for our company. I’d like to complete our large institutional capital raise so that we can pave the way for our aggressive growth plan and ensure long-term sustainability for our hard-working employees.
What is one book that you think everyone should read and why?
The Power Of Now. Learn to live in the moment and be happy.
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About ClearPath
At ClearPath, we value relationships over everything because we know that great people are the secret sauce to success. We serve as ambassadors for growth-oriented brands in the food industry — connecting them with the leaders they need to build their businesses and change the world. Our collaborative, tenacious, and modern approach to talent acquisition empowers us to surface the right candidates — faster.
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