From biochemistry to a business built on beautiful, sustainable design

When Mihran Zaroukian, BSc 01, launched a small furniture business from his Ottawa home in 2009, it was meant to be a weekend hobby — a creative outlet from his day job in the pharmaceutical industry.

Sixteen years later, Mikaza Home has become a nationally recognized name in contemporary furniture, with showrooms in Montreal and Ottawa and an online presence that ships across North America. The company is best known for its modern aesthetic, commitment to locally made products and personalized approach to design.

Zaroukian co-founded the business with Katerina Zharaya, BSc 02, his then-wife and fellow Concordia alum. Both came from science backgrounds — a surprising but, he says, useful foundation for entrepreneurship.

“Science teaches you how to think analytically,” the biochemistry grad explains. “That skill applies to any business. But I’ve always been more of a people person, and I wanted to build something creative, something tangible that brought joy to people.”

What began as importing décor pieces soon evolved into furniture sales — and demand quickly outpaced expectation. A local kitchen showroom offered space to display Mikaza’s designs, and customers responded with enthusiasm. Within a few years, Zaroukian left his corporate job to pursue the venture full time.

Today, 60 to 70 per cent of Mikaza’s offerings are made locally, a decision he considers both practical and principled.

“When furniture is built nearby, you get consistency, quality and flexibility,” he says. “You also cut the carbon footprint dramatically. And you’re supporting other small Quebec businesses — most of our manufacturers are within a 45-minute drive of the store.”

That local focus, he adds, helps Mikaza stand apart from big-box competitors that rely heavily on imports.

“It levels the playing field,” Zaroukian says. “When furniture is made to order in Canada, everyone pays the same cost — whether you’re a boutique or a chain.”

Though the company saw record sales during the pandemic — when many Canadians renovated their homes — the post-COVID-19 housing slowdown has made recent years more challenging. Still, Zaroukian remains optimistic.

“We’ve weathered ups and downs before,” he says. “Right now we’re reinvesting in new designs, updating our website and preparing for the next growth cycle.”

For Zaroukian, the reward isn’t just financial.

“What keeps me going is the reaction from people who come in, even if they don’t buy anything,” he says. “They appreciate the space, the craftsmanship and the care that goes into what we do.

At the end of the day, it’s about creating something beautiful and meaningful — and seeing that make someone’s day better.”