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

Hi Michelle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Losing my only sibling at the age of 13 made me realize how fragile life truly is. Because of this, I struggled to find a career that brought immense fulfillment and purpose. Although being a NICU nurse was fulfilling, it was also extremely stressful; it made me realize how much healing I had to do on my own.

The experience of sibling loss left me feeling isolated growing up, and it took me 20 years and a move to Colorado to begin addressing my grief. Starting my own mental health lifestyle brand, Happy Fits, became a crucial part of this journey.

My goal with this venture is not only to create cozy, relatable clothing but to also build a community where others can find connection through my stories and designs. Healing is not linear, and I am grateful to have taken the leap in starting Happy Fits.

What should our readers know about your business?
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 a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The best part about Colorado is how much there is to do and see. Connecting with nature helps me stay creative and taking the scenic route is super important to me. A trip to the mountains is definitely a must as well as visiting a local pizza and ice cream shop along the way. I also think a Red Rocks concert is a no-brainer (obviously) and checking out a local farmers market is a cherry on top!

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?
I am so beyond grateful to everyone who has supported me through my healing journey. It’s been challenging navigating sibling loss without many peers who can relate, but I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunities to share my experiences openly and safely. Also to my parents, who did the best they could in helping me get to where I am today.

Website: https://www.wearhappyfits.com

Instagram: @WEARHAPPYFITS

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellelaroi

Other: TIKTOK: @wearhappyfits

Image Credits
Jenna Sparks, Brooke Welsh

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