Meet Michelle Laroi

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

Michelle, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I would say I earned my resilience at quite the young age. Losing my only sibling forced me to grow up rather quickly; I felt the role in my family shift from younger child to the only child to the rock of the family. While my parents and I did the best that we could with the cards we were dealt, I did not have a lot of resources or outlets to process exactly what I was going through. I grew up with sports, that definitely helped teach me adversity and to be resilient in a healthy way. Over time, I learned how to navigate the pain of losing a sibling and channel it into something meaningful. It did take some time BUT, that experience shaped who I am today and is the core reason I started Happy Fits. I wanted to create a space where others would not feel the same isolation and loneliness I felt, where they can find strength in their own stories and feel supported as they heal. Sometimes we are dealt with awful cards — the way you navigate and overcomes turns into a great deal of resiliency.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Happy Fits is more than just a business to me—it’s a platform where I aim to foster a sense of community and openness around mental health. What sets Happy Fits apart is the focus on creating not just comfortable and relatable clothing, but also a supportive environment and community through my own designs and stories.

Having two degrees, neither of which are in business, made taking the leap into creating my own LLC extremely daunting. Knowing firsthand how short life is, I always felt the need to find a career that was super fulfilling. As a NICU nurse, I believed I found my calling– the end-all, be-all of my career aspirations. Caring for fragile newborns and supporting their families felt like the ultimate purpose. Little did I know, this role was merely the beginning of a much larger journey for me…and a healing journey at that.

I think what sets me apart from others is my personal story of loss and healing and how it shapes my brand. I hope it inspires others to find strength in their own struggles and to know they are 100% not alone. It took me 20 years to muster up the courage to accept the loss of my sister, and I am only still tiptoeing my way through grief all while building a small business with my own handmade designs!

I want everyone to know the importance of discussing topics society often avoids. Feel your feels, talk about your emotions. It’s okay not to conform to a corporate 9-5 lifestyle—there’s no such thing as normal. Being authentic and pursuing what brings you happiness and passion is crucial. Life is too short to settle for anything less, do what makes you happy and work hard to get there.

I look forward to Happy Fits continuing to grow alongside my personal journey. I’m eager to build a community and connect with other small business owners in Colorado who, like me, have stories worth sharing.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my journey, the three most impactful qualities or areas of knowledge have been:

Resilience: The ability to bounce back from hardships, like the loss I experienced as a teenager, has shaped my mental health journey and the creation of Happy Fits. For anyone starting out, resilience isn’t about never feeling down but about finding ways to move forward despite those feelings. Developing mindfulness, focusing on small steps, and staying committed to your “why” can help build resilience over time.

Empathy: Understanding and relating to the feelings of others is at the core of Happy Fits and my work as a nurse. Whether in business or healthcare, empathy allows you to connect with others in meaningful ways. To improve empathy, practice active listening—really hearing people’s stories without judgment—and reflect on your own emotional experiences to better relate to others.

Adaptability: Life has presented many unexpected twists, from career changes to personal grief, and being adaptable has been key to my growth. This quality allows you to adjust to new environments, pivot strategies, or pursue new passions without fear. For those early in their journey, embracing change and learning to be comfortable with discomfort will help you grow faster and navigate the unpredictability of life.

My advice is to remain open to growth, be kind to yourself, and seek out communities or mentors who encourage your development.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I am definitely open to collaboration! I would love to work with other small businesses, wholesalers, or anyone interested in carrying Happy Fits products to help spread awareness around mental health, grief, and healing. If you’re reading this and are interested in partnering, you can connect with me through my brand’s website or social media channels, as well as [email protected]. Let’s work together to create a supportive community!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Jenna Sparks, Brooke Welsh

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