About Michael

Michael Tyler Nix was born and raised in Raleigh, NC, and moved to Washington at the beginning of 2018. He made the move to the great PNW to continue his hospitality career in the fine dining and wine space. He has an entrepreneurial background and spent 10+ years in the hospitality industry. He brings a vast variety of people-facing skills, values, and talents to the table from the table. Having entered a new chapter of hospitality, Michael is passionate about caring for his real estate clients in more ways than he ever could table side or on the road.

Working in some of the most prestigious and storied fine dining restaurants in the country, Michael learned priceless skills that he applies in real estate. With the special time he spent learning and working alongside the many great professionals who make the storied fine dining establishments what they are, he was exposed to leadership that embodies the culture they preach. Michael feels it is important for people to have the opportunity to understand a little bit about his upbringing and the establishments he spent a large portion of his life working passionately in, as well as why. He believes this understanding is critically important to have as you embark on your own journey together. Thus, he has taken the time to explain in this passage and hopes you will share your story with him one day.

Michael is the oldest brother of 3 gentlemen and has an older sister who bestowed him with the pleasure of becoming a loving uncle of a niece and nephew.  Growing up in a family led by an entrepreneur, his father is an ex-Marine who owned a mid-size cleaning company that eventually transitioned into a lighting business. His mother ran the office operations while his father generated new business, maintained account relationships, and was very involved in getting the jobs done no matter what it took. Michael would spend countless hours joining his father on job sites, cleaning facilities, and working long hours until the work was complete. His father always used to tell him “No one is going to work harder for you than yourself when you believe in what you're doing and why you're doing it… at the end of the day, you must count on yourself to get the job done and always pursue new opportunities to capitalize on… financially, physically and spiritually… It is up to you to be disciplined and do what you must to grow and prosper… there is no shortcut… it is the journey that defines you and regardless of whether those you help along the way show their appreciation, carry forward with dedication, discipline, and a healthy open mind… remember, no matter where you go, your mind goes with you… take care of it and it will take care of you.” Michael is also blessed to have a mother who constantly embodied an unwavering grace and love for all of those she crossed paths with in life. His mother influenced and nourished his compassionate side. She would always say “Treat others with genuine love and respect… while not everyone will show or treat you the same, never falter into their negative behavior… instead, continue and carry on through this life as someone people can count on as beaming light of positivity, guidance and optimism… may you be the light that shines upon people in dark and difficult times… may your light guide those you cross paths with and lead people to prosperity… always seek to do what is right and always give your very best in everything you pursue.” Michael was blessed to have such a humble, positively influential, and supportive upbringing. He does not take his privilege for granted and works diligently to honor the morals and values he was raised on.  Embodying his personal values, morals, and discipline is a consistent practice Michael strives tirelessly upon daily; it is reflected in his journey to this day.

The first 7 years in the hospitality industry were spent at a Famous North Carolina fine dining establishment called the Angus Barn. Family-owned and generationally passed down, The Angus Barn began serving people from across the world in 1960. This establishment has served the people of Raleigh, the surrounding parts of the state, tourists from around the world, and generations of local families for over 64 years. Michael attributes this restaurant as the reason he was brought into this world because it is where his parents met 32 years ago. Determined to pay his dues to and display his gratitude for the place that helped bring him into this world, he set out to work in as many positions as he could. Starting off in the shipping department by day and a valet at night, Michael eventually rose through the ranks becoming one of the youngest lead servers and sommeliers in Angus Barn history. The Angus Barn is led by Van Eure who is an amazing leader Michael has had the pleasure of growing up an idol of and eventually had the honor to work for. Van Eure’s influence on the culture and people who work at The Angus Barn is one of the major reasons the restaurant is the epitome of true Southern hospitality and a place people go to celebrate their most special occasions. Famed for its history, involvement in the local community, and extraordinary service, generations continue to count on it for a reliable and consistently wonderful experience. Another special feature of this restaurant is its ability to serve more than just a traditional dinner and is equally famous for its event spaces where Michael facilitated many weddings and corporate events. It was at The Angus Barn that Michael discovered his deep passion for serving people and providing an experience that results in a lifelong memory. After several years of establishing an impressive Rolodex of regulars that would request him every time they dined, creating lifelong memories and making a difference in people’s lives via hospitality, Michael made the hard decision to seek out a new venture on the West Coast.

Michael set off to the wonderful state of Washington where he chose Seattle over Napa Valley for several important reasons and felt the region aligned with the vision he had for his future. He loved the grandeur of nature within the surrounding 3-hour radius, recognized the fantastic wine produced in the growing regions of Eastern Washington, and saw ample opportunity to serve a wider variety of wines and people from around the world due to Seattle’s international presence.  He also knew that vast economic diversity would allow him the opportunity to expand his abilities to serve people in more ways than just at the table. He had a strong vision to work at the best restaurant in Washington State and surround himself with top-caliber professionals in the hospitality industry.  

Michael brought this vision to fruition by earning a position in one of Seattle’s most storied restaurants, Canlis. Also family-owned and generationally passed down, Canlis was started in 1950. This establishment has served the people of Seattle, the surrounding parts of the state, tourists from around the world, and generations of local families for over 74 years. It maintains a reputation as the top special occasion and celebration restaurant to go to if you’re looking to have a dining experience that will become a lifelong memory. Canlis restaurant is led by Brian Canlis and one of the most revered influential people in Michael’s life, Mark Canlis. Michael immediately recognized this was the kind of establishment where he could provide the genuine service he loved to ensure people at the Angus Barn. He understood it was an opportunity to continue developing his unique hospitality skillset in a way that can only be done when working alongside top-tier professionals who care about their craft. Michael spent 3 years on the dining room staff improving service systems with the team to ensure the guests received the memorable experience they trusted Canlis to deliver on the evenings of their special occasions. 

In those 3 years, Michael focused on the main goal Canlis has for all of their employed members… the goal to help the individual become who they are trying to become. Canlis runs on the pursuit to become truly trustworthy, generous, and other-centered with a motto that is ingrained in each service; “Keep the Promise”. Michael recognized what an honor and blessing it was to work with people whose values were fueling their passion. While they were working on becoming who they were trying to become, they also strived to be truly trustworthy, generous, and other-centered and to “Keep the Promise”. 

Michael had begun to grow into someone he had hoped to become during his time at Canlis and through his transformative efforts, he “Kept the Promise”. After 3 years, though he had begun becoming who he had hoped to become, Michael recognized he was standing in the middle of a grand stairway. This grand stairway represented the journey of personal, professional, and spiritual growth; a stairway that had no end in sight. He knew he must set out beyond the confines of the restaurant to continue that journey of growth via a different form of service to the people of the world. Michael set his sights on serving people as a Real Estate professional and decided to leave Canlis at the beginning of 2021. 

In addition to his time spent on the table side, Michael also began driving professionally in August of 2020. He operated on Lyft and Uber in the beginning and soon after, started his own private ride business. Over the past 3 years has driven over 200,000 miles between 3 different vehicles and crossed paths with over 20,000 people. He has gained a vast insight and understanding of Bellevue, Seattle, and the surrounding areas of this beautiful state due to this extensive driving venture. His in-person exposure to so many neighborhoods and time spent talking with the people living in them gives him a unique lay of the land. Michael believes the most valuable takeaway from this driving venture has come from the knowledge and wisdom he has gained through the many genuine conversations he has had with the many he has crossed paths with. So many authentic life lessons and experiences have been shared while conversating along the way from A to B. Whether the conversation was Real Estate related, about someone’s day, or a dream for them; Michael sought to listen intently, respond gently, and grow mentally. He truly enjoys turning towards one another, meeting fellow individuals where they are in their present moment in life, assisting them in any helpful way he can, and growing from each experience. Michael continues to operate his private ride business as an additional way to serve those in his community, all while continuing his endless journey, climbing the stairway of growth.

Michael's extensive expertise in hospitality gives him a rare ability to work with many different people, know how to provide them with what they uniquely seek and bring value to every endeavor he embarks on. Michael understands people in ways few others do; ways you can only obtain with extensive exposure to different people. This understanding is achieved through embodying a genuine openness to learn and be truly vulnerable enough to let people see you for who you truly are; this way they feel comfortable sharing with you who they truly are. In a world where we are capable of so many amazing feats via technology, there still is a human element that needs to be present, carefully fostered, and preserved in certain specific experiences we embark upon in this life we lead. Real estate is one of the specific experiences that a genuine human touch can make all the difference. It is up to the human sherpa to lead and create an experience platonic technology cannot duplicate, no matter how sophisticated the AI. His willingness to turn towards one another openly is a radiant trait and an action only a loving human can perform. Michael embodies the character traits, values, and morals one needs to have to be that qualified sherpa. 

Michael entered the Real Estate world to help people in more ways than he could in the confines of a restaurant or vehicle. He strives to be the best he can be for your needs and desires. He is the kind of individual who will fight tooth and nail to get you the best deal and give you the best experience possible. He understands that Real Estate is a very intense and delicate experience that requires extreme attention to the details in tandem with an in-depth knowledge of every aspect of the home selling, buying, and building process. Michael recognizes that a Real Estate venture is all about providing immaculate customer service while treating you authentically as a unique person and someone he is responsible for leading successfully through the thick and thin of the journey.  He plans to utilize the knowledge gained, blessings shared, and blessings earned during the time spent working together with you to further his abilities to help more people in the future. Michael has committed himself to a discipline of giving due to his belief that it is our duty to provide the best reality possible for generations present and yet to come. He is highly motivated and extremely dedicated to bringing your big visions to fruition. If you are looking for someone who was born for hospitality and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed in the mission at hand, Michael Tyler Nix is that man! 

“I served people at the table for a long time, drove people to and from the table for a long time… now I am dedicated to helping people find a home to set their own table”

“Whomever you may be… Friends, Family, or Business… You can count on me”

“What do we do?... Keep the promise!”