We recently connected with Emily Harazin and have shared our conversation below.
Emily, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience started forming in my childhood. I was an only child, and my parents’ divorced by the time I was 4 years old. I learned early on how to navigate change whether I wanted to or not. I picked up the habit of relying on myself, which wasn’t always a good thing as I got older, but it definitely set the foundation of resilience.
I’ve faced my share of health challenges throughout my life – anxiety being an almost constant companion. I’ve felt like I didn’t fit anywhere for most of my life. At one point, I was even sent to a wilderness program in Utah as a teenager. At the time, it felt like being dropped into the unknown (once again relying on myself) but it also taught me how capable I was, how to adapt in uncomfortable situations, and how to keep moving forward even when I didn’t know what was next or who I could depend on.
Those lessons stayed with me. They show up in how I run our business, how I mother my 3 children (and mother myself), and how I handle life’s inevitable curveballs. I’ve learned that I can do hard things, and that mindset has carried me through every chapter since. I have also learned that I don’t have to only rely on myself, and that has been one of the most healing parts of my journey thus far. Real resilience doesn’t mean you have to do it alone or can never struggle. To me, it means knowing you can count on yourself and your intuition to guide you, and you can also lean on others.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My story really weaves together my personal values and my professional path. I’ve always been drawn to wellness, clean living, and creating spaces that feel intentional and uplifting. As a mom of 3 and a woman up against some of my own personal health issues, I became even more aware of the importance of the products we bring into our homes – for our health, our families, and our planet.
That awareness is what inspired à la main, the apothecary and refillery I co-founded. We curate personal care, home goods, and wellness products that are clean, sustainable, and effective. Things you can feel good about using every day.
Professionally, I’m focused on growing à la main into a trusted destination where people can shop with confidence, learn about living more mindfully, and feel part of a community that values both well-being and sustainability. It’s about creating a space that feels beautiful, inspiring, and aligned with the way we want to live.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Adaptability has carried me through motherhood, business ownership, and all the curveballs in between! It’s the ability to pivot without losing sight of the bigger picture.
Communication has been essential, whether it’s connecting with customers, collaborating with my business partner, or building relationships in our community.
And vision is what keeps me going! The ability to imagine what’s possible for à la main, set a clear direction, and keep refining it as we grow.
My advice would be to not to be afraid to let go of the original plan. The path will twist and turn, and your ability to pivot with purpose is what will keep you moving forward. Also, to practice clarity and honesty from the start. Listen more than you speak, and don’t shy away from the hard conversations. Take the time to define your why. Write it down, revisit it often, and let it be the filter for your decisions. And follow your intuition above all.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
In the last year, my biggest growth has been in setting clearer boundaries and learning to speak up for myself confidently. I’ve practiced how to separate emotion from decision-making, to trust others with their responsibilities, and to let go of the need to control every outcome or needing to always be the glue.
It hasn’t always been easy and old habits resurface, but learning to hold my ground with compassion has freed up my energy and focus. It’s helped me lead more effectively, be more present with my family, and take better care of myself.
I also have really embraced slower living. I don’t need to be on the hamster wheel, and I don’t want to be. My body still acts in a state of survival often, but I’m practicing patience and softness with myself as I reprogram these old stories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopalamain.com
- Instagram: @emilyharazin, @shop.alamain
Image Credits
Bright Eye Photography
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