Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Mikke Pierson of Malibu

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mikke Pierson. Check out our conversation below.

Mikke, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Music. Especially live music. I just got back from an incredible music festival in Appleton, Wisconsin, four days, 200+ bands, 40 stages, and nonstop energy and passion. It was truly electric. One of the biggest sources of joy for me was seeing a band I care deeply about, Sweet Lizzy Project, absolutely crush it. They played four sets to thousands of people, and the way the crowd responded was nothing short of magical.

I’ve become friends with the band over time and try to support them however I can. Watching them step into the spotlight and get the recognition they deserve filled my heart in a way that’s hard to put into words. Seeing people discover their talent, feel their music, and light up because of it reminded me how powerful art can be. That kind of joy lingers.

If I had a fantasy outside of my day-to-day work, it would be to help Sweet Lizzy Project break through in a big way. They have the soul, the talent, the grit, and I’d love nothing more than to see the world know their name.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m the founder of Pierson Business Growth Solutions, where I work directly with small business owners to help them grow stronger, lead more effectively, and build businesses that are both profitable and purposeful. I’m also part of the Focal Point Coaching community, a network of committed business coaches who bring real-world experience and high-impact tools to the people and businesses we serve. What makes my work unique is that I’ve lived the entrepreneurial journey myself. I’ve built a business, navigated the chaos that can come with success, and found my way toward leading with more clarity, intention, and fulfillment. Now I help my clients do the same.

I focus on helping business owners solve real challenges whether it’s improving team communication, installing systems and processes, rethinking their leadership approach, or finally gaining control of their time and priorities. Many of my clients are smart and successful but stuck in the day-to-day grind. My job is to help them slow down, sort through the noise, and focus on what really matters.

Beyond client coaching, I lead a group called Team Engage, which supports other Focal Point coaches, especially those who are just starting out. I believe in the ripple effect of supporting leaders and helping others succeed. I’m also deeply involved in my local community, especially in Malibu and Pacific Palisades, where I’ve worked on wildfire recovery efforts and small business advocacy. I serve as a volunteer firefighter, which reminds me every day what real service and teamwork look like.

While I work with clients around the country, I’m currently working with several clients who were greatly impacted by the Palisades Fire. Helping them rebuild and move forward has become personal to me. It’s about more than just business, it’s about resilience, community, and being there when people need support the most.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple mission: to improve the lives of the people I’m connected to, and those I’m not yet connected to. Whether I’m coaching a business owner, supporting a fellow coach, or volunteering in my community, I aim to show up with heart, integrity, and a deep commitment to helping others grow and thrive.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I was incredibly fortunate to meet and hire a business coach early in my career. At the time, I was doing well on the surface. I was selling a lot, the business looked successful, but he helped me realize something important: I didn’t really know how to run a business. He introduced me to all the foundational skills I was missing, from building org charts and writing job descriptions to understanding spreadsheets and developing real marketing plans. That part was valuable, but the deeper impact came when he held up the mirror and helped me see that I wasn’t a strong leader, and I wasn’t great at building teams.

That insight changed everything. It sent me on a multi-year journey of learning and growth, one that reshaped not only my business, but my life. I immersed myself in developing my leadership, improving my communication, and learning how to truly bring people together around a shared purpose. As I grew in those areas, I saw the results ripple out into every part of my life, personally and professionally.

One powerful example of that journey is that it eventually inspired me to get involved in public service. I became more engaged with my community, more comfortable leading in high-stakes situations, and ultimately, that path led me to becoming the Mayor of Malibu. It all started with someone helping me see the difference between success on paper and real leadership and I’ve been building on that lesson ever since.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For me, it was communication, real, authentic communication. For a long time, I believed that treating everyone as if they were made of glass was the best way to keep things peaceful and make people happy. I avoided conflict, softened truths, and held back what I really thought or felt. But that approach didn’t create trust or connection. It created distance. I eventually realized that true leadership and true relationships require honesty, empathy, and the courage to speak from a place of love, not fear.

That shift changed my life. I had to learn how to be direct without being harsh, how to be honest without losing compassion, and how to stop being defined by my past. I started focusing on what I could do next, on the choices I had in front of me, not the ones behind me. That change helped me become a better leader, a better partner, and ultimately, a better coach.

Today, I bring that lesson into every coaching relationship. I work hard to earn the kind of trust where my clients and I can talk about the most difficult thing they’re facing, the thing that’s often holding everything else back. Once we start there, everything else tends to fall into place more quickly. Honest, courageous communication is now the foundation of everything I do.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, it is. That wasn’t always the case, but it is now and it’s one of the things I’m most grounded in. Earlier in my life and career, I sometimes felt like I had to wear different masks depending on the room I was in. I thought that being professional meant keeping certain parts of myself hidden. Over time though, and especially through my journey as a business owner, a coach, and a public servant, I learned that the most powerful version of me is the most honest one.

One moment that really shaped this was during my time as an elected official. People would often ask me how I stayed grounded with all the public scrutiny and pressure. My answer was simple: I live by my North Star. I know my values, and I try to embody them every single day, even when no one is watching. That inner compass has guided me through tough decisions, hard conversations, and moments of doubt. It has also allowed me to lead with a sense of calm and purpose, even in high-pressure situations.

Today, whether I’m coaching a client, speaking to a group, volunteering as a firefighter, or just spending time with my community, who I am doesn’t change. I don’t compartmentalize. I’ve done the work to align the different parts of my life, my beliefs, my actions, and my relationships so they all reflect the same person. The public version of me is just me. What you see is what you get. That alignment didn’t happen overnight, but now that I have it, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I think what many of my clients would miss most are the conversations we have, the ones they don’t have with anyone else. While much of my coaching focuses on their business, leadership, and strategy, the truth is that the work often goes much deeper. We talk about their company, their team, and their goals, but we also talk about life. About meaning, purpose, family, legacy, fear, hope, and sometimes even death and faith. These conversations are raw, real, and human.

What I’ve found over the years is that many successful people have very few places where they can speak openly and be truly heard without judgment or agenda. I create that space. I ask the questions others don’t, and I hold the kind of silence most people rush to fill. I show up fully, so they can, too.

If I stepped away tomorrow, I think what they’d miss most is not just the business guidance, but the relationship. The trust, the consistency, the ability to wrestle with the hard stuff and then turn it into clarity and action. Those conversations often become a lifeline, not just for solving business problems, but for reconnecting to what matters most. That’s the heart of my work, and I think that’s what would leave the biggest gap.

And truthfully, I would miss those conversations just as much. They help define who I am, and they give my life deep meaning. Being part of someone’s journey in such a real and personal way is something I cherish. It’s a privilege I never take for granted.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mikkepierson.focalpointcoaching.com/
• Instagram: piersonbiz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikke-pierson-4407776/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/mikke.pbgs