Micah Shi grows The Grand Hausse into a purpose-driven business venture

From fashion and café concepts to a wellness-focused bar, Shi combines vision, strategy, and differentiation to turn passion into The Grand Hausse, a profitable and distinctive brand in a competitive market.

In a market where trends shift faster than most businesses can adapt, differentiation is everything. For entrepreneur Micah Shi, a misdelivered mannequin was the sign that set her apart. What could have been a logistical error became the spark behind The Grand Hausse—a multi-concept venture that now combines fashion, dining, and a wellness-focused bar.

“I prefer not to think of risks or failures,” Shi told radar in an exclusive interview. “I’d rather think, what if it succeeds? ”That belief—rooted in years of building businesses from the ground up—drives how she turns disruption into opportunity.

Drawing on lessons from earlier ventures—including importing and distributing generator sets—Shi leverages differentiation, vision, and strategic pivots to create a business that stands out in both concept and execution.

The Grand Hausse—French for “the grand awakening”—is designed to inspire and engage. More than just a bar, café, or fashion house, the space reflects Shi’s belief that businesses can also nurture a sense of purpose and well-being. 

Launched in September 2024, initially only as a fashion house, the brand has since grown to have a full-blown restaurant and a cafe. Here, cocktails are infused with soothing herbs, and menus carry intentional messages like “What are you grateful for today?” and even dish names and art pieces are carefully curated to uplift.

Differentiation does it

Shi’s path to entrepreneurship was never straightforward. Before The Grand Hausse, she navigated male-dominated industries, from generator sets to car accessories. 

Fresh out of college, she arranged a 30-day open account to ship a 40-foot container of gensets from China, only to have Typhoon Glenda strike days later. “In three days, the container sold out,” she said. “Divine timing, but anchored in action.” That early experience taught her to see opportunity, not risk—a mindset she continues to apply at The Grand Hausse.

The pivot from furniture to fashion, café, and bar was similarly guided by her instincts and focus on differentiation. “Sometimes what seems like a mistake or misdelivery is a sign,” the entrepreneur, who is in her 30s, said. 

She saw the potential to make the space her own, leveraging what she calls her unique value proposition: creating entirely distinctive experiences rather than following existing trends. Even when the Quezon Avenue location presented challenges in foot traffic, she trusted the space was right for her vision.

Challenges as lessons

Learning to run a multi-concept brand hasn’t been without obstacles. Shi cites her kitchen knowledge as a weakness and had to train her palate extensively, visiting high-end restaurants to calibrate the menu. Coordination with consultants, particularly in the food business, required patience and persistence. 

Having run previous ventures in completely different industries, Shi has learned to approach uncertainty with composure. “Whenever there are challenges, I see them as lessons. They’re opportunities to grow and strengthen both my strengths and weaknesses,” she said. 

Despite these challenges, Shi has built a brand that is increasingly recognized for its intentionality and distinction. Visual cues—blue and red for masculine and feminine energies, black-and-white floors for balance—intersect with carefully designed culinary offerings, from pistachio curry kare-kare to designer pastas and Beef Wellington.

Rooted in purpose

For Shi, entrepreneurship is deeply tied to mindset and purpose. While many entrepreneurs chase quick returns, Shi takes a longer view—focusing on building a brand with lasting differentiation before measuring ROI. “I never focus on ROI first,” she said. “I focus on where I feel inspired and passionate.”

By aligning business strategy with personal values and spiritual purpose, she believes growth and financial success will follow.

She offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs that mirrors her philosophy: follow your heart, differentiate your offerings, and embrace challenges as lessons. “If you are aligned with your higher purpose, everything else—the guidance, support, and abundance—follows,” Shi said. “Passion is your compass, but mindset and differentiation define your path.”

In just a little over a year, The Grand Hausse has evolved from a concept built on adaptation into a thriving multi-concept venture, combining fashion, food, and wellness-focused nightlife. Shi’s strategic approach—balancing vision, innovation, and purpose—demonstrates how a young entrepreneur can create not only a brand but an experience that resonates with customers and stands out in a competitive market.

For Shi, the story of The Grand Hausse is proof that clarity of purpose can coexist with sound strategy. Her approach—seeing opportunity where others might see error—underscores a truth every entrepreneur can learn from: growth follows when you build with intention, not imitation.

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