Meet Violeta Gavrilovich

We recently connected with Violeta Gavrilovich and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Violeta, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose through loss and the decision to rebuild when everything felt impossible. When our store in Maui was destroyed by wildfire, and later when I lost my husband, I felt like my entire identity had been taken from me. For a while, I didn’t know who I was without those pieces of my life.

But in the quietest, most painful moments, I realized my purpose wasn’t tied only to a place or a plan it was in the way I showed up for my daughters, my customers, and myself. My purpose became to create spaces where people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for, no matter what storms they have faced.

Opening Aloha Hat company again was more than reopening a business. It was an act of hope and a promise to keep honoring the love my husband and I shared. Every day that I greet someone with kindness or help them find something that brings them joy, I am reminded that purpose is something you build, moment by moment, even in the hardest times.

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?

🌿Aloha Hat Company DBA Aloha Hat & Sole 🌿

Aloha Hat company is much more than a store it is a story of resilience, love, and the power of starting over.

Our journey began in Maui, where my husband and I built a small, welcoming shop offering high quality hats and comfortable footwear inspired by the spirit of aloha. For us, “aloha” was not just a greeting; it was a way of life. We believed in treating every customer like family and creating a place where people could slow down and feel connected.

In August 2023, our lives changed overnight when the Lahaina wildfire destroyed our business and much of our community. Losing everything we had worked so hard to build was devastating. But even in the midst of that heartbreak, we held onto the hope that someday we would rebuild.

When we moved to Denver, we knew we were taking a risk starting again in a new city, with no guarantee of success. But we carried with us the same purpose: to bring a little warmth, authenticity, and island spirit to the heart of downtown.

Tragically, just as we were finding our footing, my husband passed away unexpectedly. It was the hardest moment of my life. Grief is overwhelming, and there were days I thought about giving up. But I knew I had to keep going for my daughters, for the dream we had shared, and for the customers who had already embraced us in our new community.

Today, Aloha Hat & Sole stands as a testament to courage and perseverance. Every hat and every pair of Birkenstocks we sell has a story behind it of survival, hope, and honoring my husband’s memory. Our store is filled with color, comfort, and the spirit of aloha that first inspired us years ago in Maui.

What makes us special isn’t just our products it ’s the feeling you get when you walk through our doors. We greet everyone with kindness because we know what it feels like to be lost and searching for belonging. We’ve learned that no matter what life takes away, no one can take away your purpose or your heart.

Whether you’re visiting us to find the perfect sun hat, comfortable sandals, or simply to share a story, you are part of our journey. And for that, I am endlessly grateful.

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

1. Resilience
Learning to keep going after losing our store and my husband taught me that resilience is built one small choice at a time. My advice: allow yourself to feel pain, but don’t let it stop you from moving forward.
2. Adaptability
Starting over in a new city required me to embrace change and learn quickly. Stay flexible and open to new solutions progress often comes when you let go of how you thought things “should” be.
3. Relationships
Genuine relationships have been my greatest support. Treat people with kindness and sincerity. Community will sustain you through the hardest moments.

To anyone just beginning: focus on these qualities daily, and you will be amazed at what you can survive and create.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Right now, my biggest challenge is balancing the emotional work of grief with the practical demands of running and growing a business. After losing my husband and our original store, I had to find the strength to start over while also being present for my daughters and my customers.

Some days, it still feels overwhelming to carry so much responsibility. To work through this, I focus on taking things one step at a time and reminding myself that I don’t have to do everything alone. I’ve learned to ask for help, lean on my community, and give myself grace when I can’t be perfect.

I also stay grounded in my purpose: to create a welcoming space that brings people together and keeps the spirit of aloha alive, no matter where life has taken us. Remembering why I began helps me keep going, even on the hardest days.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alohahatandsole.com/
• Instagram: Alohahatandsole

Image Credits

Mayor of Denver Mike Johnston and Denver Economic development & opportunity