Meet Aaron Ho

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aaron Ho a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaron , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from my roots in NYC’s Lower East Side Chinatown, where I grew up in the ’80s as the son of immigrant small business owners. My parents worked tirelessly with no days off to provide for us, teaching me resilience, community, and pride in craft. Their perseverance showed me that with dedication, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.

My team and I opened Sour Mouse NYC in the Lower East Side during COVID—tough times, but we pushed through. Now, in 2025, we’re thriving, thanks to our community’s support. With the launch of Sugar Mouse NYC in one of Manhattan’s most competitive areas, the work continues. We’re resilient, embracing innovation and AI to elevate the experience. Hard work and vision drive us—and we’re just getting started.

My parents’ small business taught me quality, consistency, and humility—values I carry forward. I believe in giving back and proving that hard work paves the way. The sky’s the limit, and I want my kids to see that, just as my parents showed me.

I’m deeply grateful for my wife, family, and the Sour Mouse and Sugar Mouse team, who’ve been with us from day one. Thanks to our investors and partners who share our vision, we’ll keep growing and pushing boundaries together.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

At Sugar Mouse NYC, we’re all about creating spaces where people can come together to have fun, enjoy great conversations, meet new people, and connect with neighbors. Share delicious food and drinks while surrounded by 40 projector screens, some featuring interactive experiences, and enjoy live entertainment in a welcoming, all-ages atmosphere.

And let’s not forget, we’re a 360 immersive game hall, with projector screens spanning wall to wall. We also broadcast major events like the Grammys, sports games, and interactive experiences, inviting customers to join in the excitement live.

What excites me most is the community we’ve built. It’s not just about games and great vibes—it’s a place to connect, share laughs, and spend quality time with family, friends, or even strangers, all while enjoying great food and drinks, including non-alcoholic options.

What sets us apart is our bold fusion of nostalgia and innovation. We’re leveraging cutting-edge tech and AI to completely redefine the experience. Walking into Sugar Mouse feels like stepping into another world, with specialty sweet and sour cocktails crafted by our Director of Beverages, Andressa Pires, and immersive AI-generated content and soundscapes curated by our team of tech experts. Our Director of Operations, Tom Cheng, ensures every screen and sound works flawlessly, delivering a seamless, next-level experience.

We host a variety of events, including live jazz music, academic talks, educational panels, and comedy open mics. We also provide a stage for industry leaders to host their events and offer community programming that brings people together. Additionally, we transform the space for private kids’ birthday parties and family anniversary celebrations, making it the perfect venue for any occasion.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Resilience: Launching just after a challenging time for businesses, we’ve faced many hurdles, but our resilience has kept us moving forward. Despite starting in a competitive environment, we’ve grown stronger each day. Don’t get discouraged by obstacles. Use them as fuel to adapt and grow.

Adaptability: Embracing new technologies like AI has been crucial to standing out. From the interactive screens to AI-generated content, we’ve used tech to elevate our guest experience. For anyone starting out, don’t shy away from incorporating innovation into your business. The world is evolving fast—be open to change and find ways to use technology to enhance your offering.

Building Community: From the beginning, creating a space where people feel connected has been at the heart of Sugar Mouse. Whether it’s sharing laughs with family or making new friends, the sense of community is what keeps people coming back. Build relationships with your customers, team, and partners. A strong community can carry you through challenges.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

The most impactful people in overcoming challenges and developing essential skills have been my team, business partners, and investors.

My incredible wife, who has been my rock and trusted sounding board during the toughest moments. We all share the same values and work ethic, and together, we’ve received invaluable resources and guidance that have helped us navigate a competitive market and stay laser-focused on our goals.

At Sugar Mouse NYC, our Director of Operations and Director of Beverages have been critical in bringing our vision to life. Our marketing team has been instrumental in shaping our messaging, building awareness, and expanding our customer base. Their strategic insights have set us apart in a crowded market, helping us leverage digital campaigns, social media, and community outreach to connect with customers and grow our presence.

Thanks to their dedication, Sugar Mouse continues to evolve, consistently delivering memorable experiences and creating a welcoming, exciting space for all.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Sugar Mouse Team, Andressa Pires

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