Meet Malia Warren | Owner, Lifting the Dream

We had the good fortune of connecting with Malia Warren and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Malia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started the business in 2015 after looking for some fun, motivating gear to work out in at the gym. After I had my daughter, Haley, I had a hard time feeling ready to work out. Nothing I owned previously fit me, or looked cute anymore. After not really finding anything that fit my personality I taught myself how to screenprint (which was, admittedly, a disaster at first) and started making shirts. As my fitness interests progressed to doing CrossFit, I started to need the gear. You drink the Koolaid, you need the gear right? Not only did I find that the colors available were limited, I also felt that there was a gap in the industry for athletes with bodies outside of the “ideal.” This was where Lifting the Dream graduated to lifting gear, and we’ve been fighting to change the industry ever since.

What should our readers know about your business?
Lifting the Dream was years and years in the making. To get to where we are now wasn’t easy. As a business owner, one of the most important things I learned is that I will NEVER stop learning. This has easily been the key to why we’ve been so successful. I don’t know it all. I never will. I will never stop challenging myself to grow my knowledge alongside the business.

Lifting the Dream works to create lifting gear that is inclusive, fun and supportive for people at all levels of fitness; the business offers lifting gear in many unique, cute patterns that speak to the user’s personality AND respect that bodies come in a variety of sizes (lifting gear ranges from XXS to 3XL) and abilities. We want people to know they have a home here with Lifting the Dream.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
OMG omg omg, ok so if I had my best friend visiting from out of town we would definitely go to Breckenridge. We’d do a quick stop at In-n-Out to get some road burgers and shakes, then trek up to Breck. We’d probably grab an airbnb cabin walking distance to downtown. Pizza (GF for me!) at Luigi’s, some taffy at one of the shops, maybe try some of the specialty hot sauces or unique jerky in the the Beef Jerky Outlet. And then definitely end up at Carboy Winery for a glass of vino. If it was a week-long trip, we would totally do some hikes, mountain bike some trails, and go shopping at all the artisan shops. If it is warm at all we would for sure hit up Dillon Lake and go paddleboarding! We wouldn’t leave town without getting breakfast at Blue Moose (of course remembering our cash since they’re cash only) and admiring the celeb wall or taking a selfie with Isak Heartstone.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to shoutout my husband, Nathan, he’s been my rock through all the ups and downs of being a small business owner. He’s stayed up late with me packing orders, and brought me inventory to events when I ran out. He hugs me when I’m over-stressed and listens to me when I need someone to talk to about business stuff. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in life to ride along on this crazy journey with me!

Website: www.liftingthedream.com

Instagram: @liftingthedreamofficial

Twitter: @liftingthedream

Facebook: @liftingthedream

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYXIXgMzDGqMpDD8sxiARbQ

Other: Tik Tok: @lifting.the.dream

Image Credits
@rmk.visions on IG Trevor Knoll 🙂