🔥 NickNak LLC – A Business Rebuilt with Purpose 🔥
Origin Story:
NickNak was born from the ashes — literally. Founded by Nicholas Mikes after a devastating fire destroyed handcrafted inventory and personal belongings, NickNak is the result of one man’s decision to turn loss into legacy. What started as a dream to support local artisans has grown into a full-scale eCommerce ecosystem dedicated to resilience, family, and rebirth.
Submission Title:
Empowering Fire-Affected Communities Through Creative Commerce: The NickNak Model
Proposed Content:
NickNak, a California-based startup founded by wildfire survivor and entrepreneur Nicholas Mikes, is pioneering a heartfelt approach to post-disaster recovery and community engagement through creative commerce. With guidance from local Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and SBA resources, NickNak launched a digital storefront that blends apparel, emergency tools, storytelling, and member-driven rewards—all designed to support communities affected by wildfires.
Best Practice Highlight:
NickNak integrates a trauma-informed e-commerce model that:
- Empowers applicants (survivors) through a “Phoenix Fighter” recognition and rewards system
- Hosts creative writing submissions from fire survivors as a form of public testimony and healing
- Provides a scalable model for localized merchandise tied to environmental resilience and emergency prep
Resource Spotlight:
NickNak’s platform provides:
- Free access to Phoenix Points rewards for applicants engaging in storytelling or community education
- Interactive grant-funded tools that promote preparedness and emotional resilience
- A template for other communities to build grant-aligned public engagement shops
Policy Alignment:
NickNak’s mission aligns with key federal priorities in:
- Climate resilience and wildfire recovery (FEMA, USDA, DOE programs)
- Mental health and trauma recovery (HHS, SAMHSA)
- Equitable economic revitalization (SBA, CDFIs, HUD programs)
Why This Matters:
As federal agencies seek innovative methods to support disaster-impacted populations, NickNak offers a real-world, replicable model of grant-backed entrepreneurship that restores hope, dignity, and self-sufficiency through community storytelling, artisan goods, and gamified engagement.
Category Amount
| Inventory & Fulfillment | $30,000
| Tech & Platform | $20,000
| Marketing & Storytelling | $20,000
| Community Partnerships | $10,000
| Legal/Compliance/Admin | $10,000
| Flex/Emergency Reserve | $10,000
| Total | $100,000
Submitted by:
Nicholas Mikes
Owner/Operator, NickNak LLC
Community-led E-Commerce for Recovery and Resilience
https://nicknak.org
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