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Originally posted on Shoutout LA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nathan Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nathan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It was 2013. I saw a huge disruption happening in the media environment – and thought there could a lot of opportunity for a boutique communications firm that was hungry, nimble, and understood how to bring together the emerging tools available to deliver a message to audiences. There was quite a bit that I didn’t understand about running a business when I first hung my own shingle – and I’ve learned so much since founding Miller Ink, but I think that the original thesis was right. I am really proud of the company we have built on the basis of that idea.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Miller Ink brings together a range of tools and approaches – across earned, owned, and paid media – to architect integrated communications programs tailored to our moment.
There are a few principles that define and drive our work.

First, we are both nimble and well resourced. Our core team is supported by a broad network of creatives, strategists, ad specialists, and partners who turn ideas into reality. This gives us the scale and flexibility to effectively execute any communications program we dream up—whether our client is a small non-profit or a Fortune 500 company.

Second, we always bring strategies and solutions to the table. Too often, technologies, fads, and buzzwords are presented as substitutes for strategic thinking. We know better – and always step back to ask: how does our approach advance the client’s goal and reach their audience?

Third, we believe in the tremendous power of the right message. The goal of any message is to move people – and we always invest the time and energy to distill, shape, and refine our client’s message through feedback and engagement with a target audience.

Fourth, we are always learning. We place relentless focus on elevating our approach and training our team to better navigate a rapidly changing media environment. As our industry continues evolving, Miller Ink will keep creating new cutting-edge communication programs and campaigns that cut through the noise, inspire action, and deliver big wins for our clients

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?
Los Angeles is an amazing place to live and a challenging place to visit, mostly because it is so big and sprawling, and the best things to check out are mostly not the traditional tourist destinations. Here are my top recommendations.

First, you need to get to the beach. Rent a beach cruiser and take a long ride somewhere along the 20-mile trail from Palos Verdes to the Pacific Palisades. Stop for lunch at one of the places along the way. An epic way to spend a day.

Or – if biking isn’t your thing – head up to Malibu with a picnic. There are so many beautiful beaches and hikes to explore.

Second, there is so much incredible food. L.A. has more immigrants per capita – and more languages spoken in its limits – than anywhere else on earth and that is reflected in the diversity of its restaurants. You should get tofu soup and bibimbap in Korea town, Oaxacan cuisine in Mid-City, ramen on Sawtelle, Ethiopian on Fairfax and tacos in Pico Union or Boyle Heights.

If you are looking for higher-end, I love Mirame from chef Joshua Gil in Beverly Hills, Gjelina and Gjusta in Venice, Baco Merkat downtown, and Milo + Olive in Santa Monica.

Third, spend a day downtown. Disney Hall is a spectacular place to see any show, but classical music in particular. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. Walk around the art galleries on Spring Street and Main Street. Check out all the cool new lofts and hotels that have been restored from the original buildings in the 1920s and 30s. MOCA and its satellite site Temporary Contemporary are really high-caliber museums. Little Tokyo is also a really fun neighborhood to walk in and grab a bite.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife, Emily Kane Miller, who has been powerful wind at my back as a partner in life and business.