(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights M & M Construction owner Michael “Mickey” Miller.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Tylertown Jan. 20, 1978.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I went to East Marion and Pearl River Community College.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I am self-employed with M & M Construction. We do all types of carpentry work from fences to complete house remodels and additions. We did all of the wood working for the Christmas event downtown such as the vendor booths, benches, garbage cans and the train.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I’ve been doing carpentry most of my life. I always had a passion for wood working, and it just went from hobby to doing it for a living. I was a truck driver for 13 years and was just on the road too much. I decided to come home and be around the family more.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: It’s more or less taking someone’s vision and bringing it to reality. Some people don’t even know for sure what they want, but when you bring it to reality it’s a challenge I like. Sometimes that vision isn’t always clear to the customer
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
A: There’s a couple of things. When I was younger, a job was all about the money to be made. The older I get the more satisfaction in producing a product that I’m proud of. It’s not all about the money anymore.
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Whenever I was a little kid I wanted to be a Motocross or monster truck driver. I’ve rode a motorcycle since I was 4 years old. As I got older, a lawyer is what I wanted to be to make big money, but obviously that’s not happening.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I was a board toter at 14, toting boards for houses being built. I started working at Sack N Save at 16 for my first legal job.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My papa, Jack Miller, taught me how to work with my hands and make something out of nothing. He taught me what to do instead of how to do, and I had to learn the how-to on my own.
Q: What is your spouse’s name?
A: Candice Miller. She works at the Hattiesburg Clinic.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have four children. Bayle is 20; Zack is 18; Wyatt is 10; and Carter is 8.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: Cheese fries from Outback Steakhouse with a steak cooked medium well.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I have no particular destination in my mind. Anywhere the whole family can go is what we go for. We’ve been on several cruises, and it really didn’t matter where we went as long as we were able to have fun together.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: There is no spare time anymore. I used to like riding motorcycles and sport bikes, but nowadays it’s more less baseball games, tournaments and practices.
Q: What do you enjoy about Columbia and Marion County?
A: I like the fact that it’s a small town. Pretty much, no matter where you go, you’re going to run into somebody you know. I like that the events are helping bring people closer together, and you get to meet more people you don’t know. It’s a small community, and it seems like people will help you in any way they can.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: It would have to be family members that passed away. My grandparents, Jackson and Virginia, and aunt, Becky, and uncle, Buster, passed away when I was young before I had a family, and if we could all sit together where I could share my family with them would be nice.
Q: If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do all day?
A: I would like to spend times with the kids and ride 4-wheelers and motorcycles. I wouldn’t do anything elaborate. I would just want to have fun and not worry about bills.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on who you are today?
A: I’d have to give that one to meeting my wife. When I was younger, peer pressure was sending me down the wrong road. When I met here, she helped me get back on the right track and steered me in the direction of who I am today.
Q: What is one thing you want to do that you’ve never tried?
A: Race sport bikes. I’ve always rode the Jigster 1000. I love the adrenaline rush.
Q: Using one word for each, what are your top three morals?
A: Honesty, integrity and faith.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: As a person who always did his best to take care of his family. A person who worked hard, was always there for a friend in need and loved his family more than life itself.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Michael “Mickey” Miller made the “Infinity Express” out of 90 percent recycled material. He used old flooring for the wood, riding lawnmowers for the carts and even used parts from an above-ground pool and trampoline. The train was featured attraction during the downtown Christmas celebrations and a huge hit with the children. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
