Michael Harris
1. If you had to begin a different career, what would you do?
Travel writer for the Lonely Planet. My favorite hobby is globetrotting, and getting to know other places and people. That, or an officer in the Marine Corps' First Reconnaissance Battalion.
2.What’s your most prized possession?
It's a tie between my Ducati Monster 750 and my shun by Ken Onion chef's knife. There is nothing like the feeling of riding through Live Oak Canyon on a warm, Sunday afternoon. It feels like flying, if you do it right. There's also nothing like the right chef's knife, to help put together a killer meal for friends. Just don't use the Ducati and the chef's knife at the same time.
3. Favorite drink?
The Roman - A Rittenhouse Rye Old Fashioned, made with Luxardo cherries, and a drop of pure maple syrup. I call it the 'Roman Fashioned' because we adapted this version of the O.F. in Costa Mesa, which we also refer to as 'The New Rome'. I like one, two at the most, three I'm under the table and four I'm under my host.
4. What are you cutting out because of the economy?
Ugh. International travel, sadly. I need to get down to Buenos Aires to get my fix of South American life.
5. Fantasy purchase?
An Eames or Eichler home, fully kitted with mid-century modern furniture and a commercial kitchen. A kidney-shaped pool would be great too, but I'd drain it and skate in it instead of swimming in it.
6. What can’t you live without?
Noodles! I can't go two days without Pho or Ramen. Thank God I live in Orange County.
7. What’s next on your “to do” list?
My immediate and only priority is to build my company, Aperture Payment Solutions, into the largest and best merchant card services company in the United States. Since we have the lowest rates in the nation for credit card processing, it's just a matter of time, and letting people know they can do much better than their current providers. Immediately following that is a two-month motorcycle journey around Patagonia.
8. Biggest regret?
Not becoming an officer in the Marine Corps. I come from a military family and I am the first generation to not serve in that capacity. I also would have been the first Marine, but that's the way I roll.
9. Cause that you’re most interested/involved in?
When I have extra time I help out with Mercy House, a homeless aid organization out of Santa Ana. They do a terrific job at getting people back on their feet. Homelessness and hunger is a plague around the world, but it is a crime in this country with so much abundance and wealth.
10. Your dream day in Orange County?
Start with a light breakfast, followed by a hard workout at Equinox, shopping at the SoCo Farmers' Market, Chilaquiles and Agua Fresca at the Taco Maria truck, making some crazy, experimental, nine-course meal for friends, while laughing uncontrollably and listening to classic punk rock and roots reggae.
11. Favorite place for breakfast?
Weekend brunch at Ramos House, hands down. John Q. is a friend and a true madman.
12. What was the best day of your life?
So far? Let me just say that 2011 has been one heck of a ride, and has been chockablock full of 'best days of my life'. One thing that is pervasive and consistent however, is that my friends and family have always been directly involved. 2012 will be even better, I just know it.
13. Last concert that you went to?
Despite owning a live music venue, I'm not a huge live music fan. Go figure. The last live event I attended was 'Opera on Tap' at Detroit Bar. This is the funnest thing ever - professional opera singers, singing commonly-themed arias in a bar. Totally casual, interactive and fun. The last theme we did there was "The Sluts of Opera" - a theme near and dear to my heart.
14. Favorite vacation spot?
Hands-down, Buenos Aires, Argentina. It's like Paris picked up and settled down in South America. Everything about Buenos Aires is perfect - the food, the style, the fashion, the architecture, the people, the culture. I will live there one day.
15. If you had to live somewhere else, where would you like to move?
In the U.S., I'd move across the street to Costa Mesa (I live in Newport Beach and personally, can't stand this city.) Internationally, Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Sydney, Australia.
16. Favorite books?
'Kitchen Confidential' by Anthony Bourdain, 'American Psycho' (or anything but 'Glamorama) by Bret Easton Ellis, 'Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac, 'Vagabonding' by Rolf Potts, and my coveted and well-worn Lonely Planet collection.
17. Favorite restaurants in Orange County?
Man, how much space do I get? For dining out: Rooster Café and Rooster PM, Marché Moderne, Mesa, Memphis, Pizzeria Ortica, Midnite Muncheez, Pho Dakao, Pho 79, Santouka Ramen, Taqueria De Anda, Anepalco's Café, Ikko, Picante Martin's, Byblos, Husky Boy Burger, SlapFish, Taco Maria, Seabirds, 118 Degrees, Mother's Kitchen, Regina's, Lighthouse Korean BBQ, Capital Seafood, Seafood Paradise, Catalina Fish Kitchen, Ramos House, Binh Dan, Kappo Sui, Oki Doki, and yeah, Del Taco. But nobody cooks better than my friends and I if I'm not dining out.
18. Biggest accomplishment?
Leaving banking four years ago, and starting my own firm. Took a long time to do correctly, but I'll more than likely never return to the regular corporate world.
19. What’s your biggest fear?
Like a lot of people, fear of failure. Starting my own company has assuaged this considerably, but it's always there. I'm my biggest critic, and actually tattooed one of favorite mantras on my forearm: Qui Audet Vincit ('He Who Dares Wins' in Latin), to remind me to get out there and try things that scare me.
20. Secret most people don't know about you
I didn't grow up here. I grew up between Venezuela and Dubai. This gives me a little different view on how lucky we are to live in Orange County. Those of us who get to live and work in Costa Mesa, well, that's by the grace of God. 😊
Michael J. Harris, Managing Partner
Aperture Payment Solutions
An Aperture Capital Company
765 Baker Street, Suite B in Costa Mesa
949.500.5033
mh@apertureps.com
