Meet Michelle Liou & Dominic Myers

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Liou & Dominic Myers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle Liou & Dominic Myers, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting Nolo Events was a leap of faith fueled by passion and purpose. I (Michelle) had owned a brick-and-mortar bubble tea shop for over 15 years, and walking away from something I poured my heart into was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But deep down, I knew that chapter wasn’t truly over—I just didn’t know how it would come back around.

At the same time, Dom—who has always been an entrepreneur at heart—had already started researching event rentals and mobile bars, quietly looking for a partner who shared his passion and could bring a creative spark to the vision he was building. He’s always dreamed of creating a business where people genuinely enjoy working—where one day, we could hire our friends’ kids, give them their first jobs, and set a standard for strong work ethic and loving what you do every day.
We ended up connecting at a friend’s wedding where I had helped with decor and set up a small boba bar. That moment sparked a conversation that felt so aligned and natural. It was as if all the pieces came together right when they were meant to, exactly one month after selling my shop (so crazy!)

Fast forward to starting Nolo Events together, where we combined our love for celebrations, design, creativity, and having a good time—and now, one of our biggest offerings is our custom boba bar. It’s been such a full-circle moment to bring that part of my past into this exciting new chapter. We built Nolo to create joy, connection, and unforgettable experiences—and getting to do that with a piece of my old dream and a great friend makes it all the more meaningful. Honestly, Dom is the reason Nolo is up and running. He’s the brains behind the operation, and his passion for building something from the ground up and leaving a legacy is what truly sparked the beginning of Nolo. His vision gave us a foundation, and together we built something that blends both of our strengths.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Our career paths are anything but similar—and honestly, it’s kind of wild that two people with such different backgrounds ended up exactly where we are now. Michelle thought her days in the bubble tea world were behind her, and Dom’s day job is quite literally in a completely different realm—working in cyber/tech, far from anything related to the event industry. So to see how our paths aligned to create Nolo Events feels like something that was just meant to happen.

What sets us apart is our heart. Every detail—from the custom boba drinks to the event décor—is done with genuine care and passion. We’re not just providing a service; we’re creating an experience that people remember. Our Custom Boba Bar has become our signature, blending Michelle’s past with our shared future, and allowing guests to connect through something fun, flavorful, and totally unique.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. We’ve had to navigate self-doubt, financial risks, and the rollercoaster of starting something from scratch. But our biggest lessons? Stay grounded in your “why,” ask for help when you need it, celebrate the small wins, and never underestimate the power of community. Starting Nolo was exciting, but it was also terrifying and hard. We faced a lot of early challenges—especially with our mobile trailer. There were unexpected issues, setbacks, and moments where we felt totally overwhelmed trying to decide which direction we wanted to go in. Would we focus on event design and décor? Rentals? Mobile bartending? Our boba bar? It took time (and some tough conversations), but we learned one of our most important lessons early on: trying to do everything means you risk doing nothing well.

We had big ideas and lots of passion, but the most important thing was deciding what would be our main focus—on the things we truly loved and could excel at. That clarity brought momentum. We leaned into what made us different: our creative approach, our commitment to joyful experiences, and our now-signature Custom Boba Bar—something totally unique in the event world and deeply personal to Michelle, it truly felt like a full-circle moment for her and quickly became something our clients absolutely loved

What we want the world to know is this: Nolo Events was built on friendship, passion, and a love for making people feel seen and celebrated. Whether it’s through a beautiful boba bar or a styled event space, our goal is always the same—to bring joy to people’s lives in a way that feels thoughtful, fun, and full of intention.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If our best friend was visiting for a week, we wouldn’t just show them Colorado—we’d let them live it, love it, and leave already planning their next trip back. Here’s how we’d do it:

Day 1: Boulder Beginnings
We’d kick off the week with a nostalgic day trip to Boulder to relive the early days of moving to Denver for Dom and the good ol’ college days for Michelle (Go Buffs!). First stop: Green Mountain West Ridge Trail—peaceful views, fresh air, and just enough challenge to earn lunch. Then we’d wander Pearl Street for some shopping, street performers, and that classic Boulder charm. Dinner at the quirky, legendary Dark Horse, and then drinks at Half Fast Subs—because giant “Strong Islands” and patio energy are a rite of passage.

Day 2: Art, Oddities & Iconic Chaos
We’d start with a mind-bending morning at Meow Wolf—part art exhibit, part immersive experience, part “what did I just walk into?” Then head downtown to explore the Denver Central Market, stroll Larimer Square, or get boujee with a little Cherry Creek shopping. At night, it’s time for a classic Colorado rite of passage: Casa Bonita. Cliff divers, sopapillas, and kitschy chaos—we’re all in.

Day 3: Sun, Sizzle, and Seoul Nights
We’d rent paddle boards at one of the nearby reservoirs (Sloan’s or Cherry Creek, maybe?) for a sun-soaked morning. Colorado summers hit different on the water. Once the heat starts to dip, we’d head to Elitch Gardens for some old-school theme park fun—roller coasters, funnel cakes, and reliving our teenage dreams. Then if the energy can keep up, it’s a fun night out—dinner at Thank Sool Pocha for sizzling Korean eats, then right next door for drinks and good ol’ karaoke. Expect off-key singing, big laughs, and the best memories.

Day 4: Sweat & Sunset in the Springs
We’re heading south to Colorado Springs for a power day. First up: the infamous Manitou Incline—yes, it’s brutal, but the views make it worth every burning quad. After a bite and a walk through the charming town, we’d cap the day with a sunset stroll through Garden of the Gods—nothing short of magical.

Day 5: Hanging Lakes & Hot Springs
Time for a mini getaway. We’d road trip to Glenwood Springs to hike the breathtaking Hanging Lake Trail—a true Colorado gem. Then reward ourselves with an evening soak in the Iron Mountain Hot Springs, letting those sore muscles melt away. We’d stay overnight in town for the full reset.

Day 6: Scenic Cruisin’
On the way back to Denver, we’d take the scenic route through the Rockies—windows down, playlists up, stopping at every overlook that makes us say “pull over!” Think slow, vibey, peaceful. One of those soul-filling kind of days.

Day 7: The Grand Finale – Red Rocks
We saved the best for last. A show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre—because there’s truly no better way to end a Colorado trip. Between the energy, the views, and the acoustics, it’s the kind of experience that gives you chills. And let’s be real—we saved it for the end on purpose, just in case the hangover needs a day to recover. Priorities.

The best week in the books!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Our shoutout belongs to our people—the ones who believed in us before we even fully believed in ourselves.

To our families, friends, and especially our NFJF Fam, who supported us through late nights, crazy ideas, and every “what if” moment. You showed up to help set up events, test drinks, store and build decor, and cheer us on when we needed it most, and so much more—we truly wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for your never-ending encouragement, support, belief in us, and cheering us on since day one.

A special shoutout to our first clients, who took a chance on Nolo when we were just starting out. Your trust gave us the confidence to grow.

And of course, we have to shout out our Colorado event community—the fellow vendors, creatives, and small business owners who have embraced us, shared wisdom, and collaborated with us. It’s such a beautiful thing to be surrounded by people who genuinely root for each other.

Michelle: This begins with my husband, Anthony, and daughter, Layton—my why, the reason behind everything I do. They have been my strong foundation through every high and low. To Anthony-none of this would be possible without your unwavering support, steady encouragement, and constant belief in me-even in the moments when I doubted myself. You’ve been my sounding board, my safe space, and my biggest cheerleader through every late night, hard decision, and leap of faith. You’ve never once made me feel like my dreams were too big or my passion too much. Thank you for holding it down when I needed to push forward, for celebrating the highs, and for standing by me through the lows. I am endlessly grateful for you. Tonton, you inspire me to be better every day, to never give up, to forever chase my dreams, and to always stand up for myself. My biggest hope every day is that I make you proud. And of course to Dom—more than a business partner, a true friend—thank you for taking a chance on me and this journey, for believing in me and what we could build together, and for giving me the space to live out a dream I didn’t even know I was ready for. I will forever be grateful.

Dom: A huge thank you goes to my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout this journey, including ones on their own business-building journeys who have given me tips and advice. My biggest thanks go to Michelle, who is the creative genius behind Nolo and joined me on this ship. Without her, Nolo would just be a bunch of average-looking equipment – she’s the one who makes it pretty and turns it into an actual event. Speaking of books, though, a thank you would also go to author Tim Ferriss, whose book The 4-Hour Workweek sparked a love for reading and planted the seed that entrepreneurship was possible. That book lit the fire—it gave me the push and the confidence to finally start something of my own, even when I felt like I had no idea what I was doing because it turns out no one does until they try.

Website: https://Noloevents.com

Instagram: NOLOEVENTS_CO

Facebook: N O L O EVENTS

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nolo-events-commerce-city?osq=NOLO+EVENTS&override_cta=Ask+for+information

Other: Also, for our engaged couples check us out on Zola!

https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bar-services/nolo-events

Image Credits
StillsByJoey
Dawn And Dusk Photography