We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mikki Nguyen. Check out our conversation below.
Mikki, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Honestly, I think a lot of people are secretly struggling with feeling like they’re not enough—like they’re constantly falling behind or that they have to keep it all together even when they’re barely hanging on. Whether it’s emotional burnout, loneliness, or just the pressure to always be ‘okay,’ I think many people carry that in silence because they don’t want to be a burden or seem weak. I try to stay mindful of that, and it reminds me to approach others with a little more softness and patience—even when they seem fine on the outside.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Mikki, the human behind Mystic Mews Pet Care—a one-woman show providing in-home pet sitting, drop-ins, and care tailored to each animal’s unique personality. I’ve been doing this professionally for about 3 years now, and it’s more than just a job—it’s a way of showing up for animals (and their humans) in a way that feels personal and grounded. I’m fully insured, proudly solo, and donate a portion of every booking to animal rescue efforts through CUDDLY.
What makes Mystic Mews special is that it’s built on trust, empathy, and a whole lot of love—especially for senior pets, shy animals, or multi-cat households that don’t always thrive in boarding situations. I work mostly around Los Angeles, Temecula, and San Diego, and I’ve been lucky to meet some amazing pets (and people) along the way.
Outside of pet care, I’m also a photographer—documenting quiet moments, street fashion, and the occasional cosplay. Whether it’s through a camera lens or caring for someone’s furry family, I just want to make people (and animals) feel seen, safe, and cared for.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that thought I had to earn love by being easy to handle—that version served me when survival meant staying small, quiet, or agreeable. But I don’t need her anymore. She kept me safe, but she also kept me shrinking. I’m learning to let go of the urge to over-explain, to make myself palatable, to avoid being “too much.” I want to honor that part of me for getting me this far, but now it’s time to make room for a version of me that’s unapologetic, rooted, and finally choosing herself.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
It wasn’t one big moment—it was more like a slow unraveling. I stopped hiding my pain the day I realized pretending I was fine was exhausting me more than the healing ever could. I started using it as power when I saw how my softness, my scars, my survival—could actually be a bridge for connection, not something to be ashamed of. Every time I opened up, even just a little, someone would say, “Me too.” That’s when it shifted. My pain became something purposeful, not just something I had to carry alone.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to creating spaces—whether through pet care, photography, or just how I show up in people’s lives—where softness isn’t seen as weakness. Where it’s safe to be messy, honest, healing, and still worthy of love. That belief runs through everything I do. I want to remind people (and animals) that they’re not too much, not too broken, and not alone. Whether it takes years or a lifetime, I’m building a life and a brand rooted in that kind of care.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What light inside you have you been dimming?
I think I’ve been dimming the part of me that’s naturally bold in her weirdness—creative, emotional, playful, chaotic in the best way. Somewhere along the way, I started thinking I had to tone it down to be taken seriously or to not overwhelm people. But that light—the one that’s curious, expressive, and unfiltered—is where my magic actually lives. I’m learning to stop shrinking and start letting her take up space again.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: S3iiitty 5tttr p404mikki
Image Credits
I’ve been quieting my softness like it was something to fix—now I know it’s sacred.
