Mike Kussman keeps his life private even though he’s married to actress Danielle Nicolet, who has starred in over 50 films and TV shows. This furniture entrepreneur stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs around 75 kg. He runs a thriving business in Hermosa Beach, California and stays away from public attention.
Born on June 7, 1968, Kussman’s artistic furniture designs have helped him build a net worth of $1 million. His work appears in many design publications and sells throughout Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Unlike his wife Danielle Nicolet, who celebrated her 50th birthday in 2023, Mike chooses to run his business away from cameras. This makes details about his personal life hard to find.
Early Life and Background
Mike Kussman grew up in Southern California, where the ocean and his family’s craftsmanship traditions shaped his future career. The coastal lifestyle gave him a deep appreciation for natural beauty that became the foundation of his design philosophy.
Where was Mike Kussman born?
Southern California is Mike Kussman’s home, and the coastal environment played one of the most important roles in developing his artistic eye. He spent his life surfing and found inspiration in his surroundings—the clean lines that sun, sand, and surf created. Nature became the life-blood of his creative expression. While he keeps many details about his hometown private, his Southern California roots built the foundation for his personal interests and work.
Mike Kussman’s age and birthday
Mike Kussman was born on June 7, 1968. He will be 57 years, 2 months, and 5 days old on August 12, 2025. Different sources mention various birth years, but reliable records confirm 1968 as his birth year. So, he is about seven years older than his wife Danielle Nicolet, who turned 50 in 2023.
Family influences and early interests
His creative trip started at home, surrounded by a family that valued craftsmanship. His father, an engineer, helped spark his son’s artistic interests early on. Young Mike looked up to his father’s work with deep passion. They built furniture and musical instruments together, which laid the groundwork for his future career.
Woodworking came naturally to Kussman since he grew up in a family of craftsmen. His father became his mentor and biggest inspiration during his early years. Some reports mention his parents as Robert and Geraldine Kussmann, but Mike hasn’t confirmed these details publicly.
The ocean remained constant throughout Kussman’s life. His passion for surfing did more than provide recreation—it shaped his artistic vision. This blend of craftsmanship and environmental inspiration created the unique style that defines his professional work today.
Career as a Furniture Designer
Mike Kussman’s trip into furniture design shows a natural rise from his original craftsman roots. His professional life demonstrates how passion combined with exceptional skill and vision can turn into a thriving business.
How Mike got into woodworking
Mike started as a licensed general contractor who specialized in home redesign projects for his clients. He found himself drawn more and more to creating furniture designs for the spaces he renovated. His casual sketches soon became actual pieces as he used the woodworking skills his father taught him. Friends and family gave such positive feedback that he decided to pursue formal training in furniture craftsmanship. His side project grew into a full-fledged business venture through word-of-mouth.
The story behind SLTWTR Co.
SLTWTR Co. (pronounced “Saltwater Company”) opened its doors in Hermosa Beach, California. The company reflects Kussman’s lifelong connection to surfing and ocean culture. He named the company to honor his second passion—surfing in the South Bay. His coastal workshop serves as the place where he designs and handcrafts furniture pieces that capture beach living’s serene esthetics.
Signature design style and philosophy
Kussman’s artistic approach focuses on “clean lines that nature creates in the sun, sand and surf”. His furniture shows a “casual, soulful vibe” even in complex woodworking projects. He puts great emphasis on green practices by getting hardwoods from local sustainable suppliers. He carefully selects each piece for matching grain and color before applying traditional joinery techniques like mortise and tenon.
Where his work is featured
Many prestigious design publications have recognized his craftsmanship. His furniture sells throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Nordstrom stores feature one of his signature pieces, the ‘Saltwater OG table,’ which customers can also custom-order through several top designers in Los Angeles.
Mike Kussman’s net worth in 2025
Different sources give varying estimates of Kussman’s wealth. Some reports show his net worth at about $150,000, while others put it at $1 million. His business seems quite profitable with dining tables selling for around $6,000 and coffee tables for $4,500. These prices, along with his expanded market reach since earlier valuations, suggest continued growth.
Relationship with Danielle Nicolet
Mike Kussman’s personal life took a romantic turn in 2013 after a mutual friend introduced him to actress Danielle Nicolet. Their relationship grew into a beautiful mix of artistic careers and personal devotion.
How Mike met Danielle
The couple’s story began on a special night in Hollywood back in 2013. A mutual friend set them up on a blind date where they found that there was an instant connection based on their shared interests. They went on several coffee dates as their bond grew stronger. Mike asked for Danielle’s phone number during their first meeting, and their relationship quickly flourished.
Their wedding and private life
The couple got married in a private ceremony after a short courtship. The exact date and year of their wedding remains private, though some sources suggest 2015 as their wedding year. They have stayed together for over a decade as of 2025, and their love seems to be going strong. Both Mike and Danielle cherish their privacy and have stayed away from scandals and rumors throughout their relationship. They love to travel and visit new places together whenever they get time away from work.
Do they have children?
Reliable sources confirm that Mike and Danielle don’t have children. This fact contradicts one report that claimed they had a child. Most trustworthy sources indicate the couple hasn’t shown public interest in starting a family anytime soon.
How they support each other’s careers
Mike and Danielle work as a team while pursuing their separate careers. She takes pride in his achievements as a furniture designer. He supports her acting career and understands her profession’s challenges. Their relationship thrives on mutual respect for each other’s independence and creative work.
Public Image and Social Media
Mike Kussman stands out from typical Hollywood celebrity spouses. He keeps a low profile online that showcases his professional work rather than his celebrity connection.
Mike Kussman’s Instagram presence
Mike runs his Instagram account under “sltwtr_company” where he shows off his artistic furniture designs and woodwork. His profile stays modest with about 120 posts and 940 followers. The feed works as a portfolio that highlights his craft skills. Each piece on his profile demonstrates his commitment to “simplicity” and “innovative” design.
Why he prefers a private life
Mike sticks to his private lifestyle even as his wife’s fame grows. He builds his furniture design career away from the spotlight that comes with being married to a TV star. His quiet life differs from what you’d expect in the entertainment industry. The couple values their privacy and rarely talks about their marriage or personal life publicly.
How Danielle shares glimpses of their life
Danielle Nicolet has over 500,000 Instagram followers and sometimes gives fans quick peeks into their private world. She posts about Mike on special occasions or when they share moments worth celebrating. The couple ended up finding the right balance between keeping their relationship private while still connecting with Danielle’s fans in small ways.
Conclusion
Mike Kussman’s story shows how someone can thrive professionally while keeping their personal life private. He’s married to a Hollywood actress who’s often in the public eye, but he’s built his own path through artistic furniture design rather than riding on celebrity status. His trip from Southern California surf enthusiast to skilled craftsman proves how childhood interests can grow into rewarding careers.
His father’s engineering background and woodworking guidance helped shape his creative path. These early experiences laid the groundwork for SLTWTR Co., a business that perfectly blends his love for furniture design and ocean culture. His unique style – with clean lines drawn from nature – has earned recognition throughout North America.
Though married to actress Danielle Nicolet, Kussman stays away from the spotlight. His social media only shows his craftsmanship, not his personal life. Both partners value their privacy, which has deepened their 10-year-old relationship and lets them pursue their own creative work.
Their professional worlds couldn’t be more different – his quiet workshop versus her busy TV sets. Yet they’ve found the perfect balance. They champion each other’s careers while keeping their professional lives separate. Their bond shows how two creative people can support each other’s work and still protect their private life together.
Mike Kussman proves that you don’t need public attention to succeed. Real achievement often happens quietly, built through dedication to craft and genuine relationships.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Mike Kussman and what does he do for a living? Mike Kussman is a furniture designer and the founder of SLTWTR Co., based in Hermosa Beach, California. He specializes in creating artistic furniture pieces inspired by coastal esthetics and sustainable practices.
Q2. How did Mike Kussman meet his wife, Danielle Nicolet? Mike Kussman and Danielle Nicolet were introduced through a mutual friend on a blind date in Hollywood in 2013. They hit it off immediately and began dating shortly after.
Q3. What is Mike Kussman’s design philosophy? Kussman’s design philosophy centers on creating clean lines inspired by nature, particularly the sun, sand, and surf. He emphasizes sustainability in his work and aims to create furniture with a casual, soulful vibe.
Q4. Does Mike Kussman have a public presence on social media? While Mike Kussman does have an Instagram account (@sltwtr_company), he uses it primarily to showcase his furniture designs and woodworking projects rather than sharing personal content. He maintains a relatively low profile online.
Q5. How do Mike Kussman and Danielle Nicolet balance their relationship with their careers? Mike and Danielle support each other’s professional endeavors while maintaining their individual career paths. They value their privacy and rarely share details about their personal life, allowing them to focus on their respective crafts in furniture design and acting.
