Michelle Cordeiro Grant in the Shar sequin dress; all photographs by Willy Lukaitis
#MAKEITHAPPEN
Michelle Cordeiro Grant, LIVELY Founder & Podcaster
Finding the perfect bra… the bane of any woman's existence. We're talking comfort, lift, and support combined with an elevated look and accessible price point. Impossible? That's what Michelle Cordeiro Grant thought, too. But after spending the majority of her career at Victoria's Secret, Grant saw a need for lingerie that catered to real-life women—emphasis on real—and decided to do something about it. Enter LIVELY, which lifts and supports women both in product and its community-driven mission.
"The goal was to deliver a brand that encouraged women to celebrate their human uniqueness," explains Cordeiro Grant, "to create a product that conformed to women’s bodies, rather than the other way around, and that was rooted in a community where every woman could go to feel seen, feel inspired and make an impact." With a combination of passion and purpose—plus green smoothies and daily morning runs—the entrepreneur has, in a few short years, expanded LIVELY into a full lifestyle collection with swimwear, loungewear, activewear, self-care products and a weekly podcast, No Makeup Needed. We learn how she makes it all happen here.
My Hustle
My hustle…
LIVELY! I launched the brand in 2016 with the goal of creating a community that inspires people to live life passionately, purposefully and confidently through experiences and product. At the time, we launched with bras, bralettes, and undies, but we’ve since expanded to also include swimwear, loungewear, activewear and self-care.
LIVELY! I launched the brand in 2016 with the goal of creating a community that inspires people to live life passionately, purposefully and confidently through experiences and product. At the time, we launched with bras, bralettes, and undies, but we’ve since expanded to also include swimwear, loungewear, activewear and self-care.
What got me started...
Prior to LIVELY, I spent the tenure of my career working at major household brands in the lingerie industry, and it started to dawn on me that I was feeling disconnected with the product and messaging that was out there. The industry was being dominated by brands that had a tendency to make women feel as though they needed to fit a certain mold and that they had to look like someone else to feel beautiful and confident. I fell into that mindset myself, and it became mentally exhausting, and the fact of the matter was that, no matter how hard I tried, I was never going to be the women I saw in those marketing images!
I saw the space to create a brand that spoke to and was reflective of real, authentic women like myself who were feeling the same way. The goal with LIVELY was to deliver a brand that encouraged women to celebrate their human uniqueness, to create a product that conformed to women’s bodies, rather than the other way around, and that was rooted in a community where every woman could go to feel seen, feel inspired and make an impact.
Prior to LIVELY, I spent the tenure of my career working at major household brands in the lingerie industry, and it started to dawn on me that I was feeling disconnected with the product and messaging that was out there. The industry was being dominated by brands that had a tendency to make women feel as though they needed to fit a certain mold and that they had to look like someone else to feel beautiful and confident. I fell into that mindset myself, and it became mentally exhausting, and the fact of the matter was that, no matter how hard I tried, I was never going to be the women I saw in those marketing images!
I saw the space to create a brand that spoke to and was reflective of real, authentic women like myself who were feeling the same way. The goal with LIVELY was to deliver a brand that encouraged women to celebrate their human uniqueness, to create a product that conformed to women’s bodies, rather than the other way around, and that was rooted in a community where every woman could go to feel seen, feel inspired and make an impact.
What clears my head…
Running! After a few failed attempts, I’ve come to the realization that traditional meditation is not for me. But, I’m still a type-A entrepreneur who needs an outlet to alleviate stress and clear my head, and I’ve found that running does exactly that for me. It’s my own personal form of the practice, and gives me similar clarity, perspective and gratitude.
Running! After a few failed attempts, I’ve come to the realization that traditional meditation is not for me. But, I’m still a type-A entrepreneur who needs an outlet to alleviate stress and clear my head, and I’ve found that running does exactly that for me. It’s my own personal form of the practice, and gives me similar clarity, perspective and gratitude.
When in doubt, I…
Go with my gut!
Go with my gut!
Greatest challenge—and how I overcame it…
Quitting my job to start LIVELY! Being a sole founder, new to taking risks of this caliber, and having zero clue how to start a company was all absolutely terrifying. But, I realized what was even more terrifying was living the rest of my life not knowing what could have happened had I not tried. That alone gave me the motivation to take the leap!
Quitting my job to start LIVELY! Being a sole founder, new to taking risks of this caliber, and having zero clue how to start a company was all absolutely terrifying. But, I realized what was even more terrifying was living the rest of my life not knowing what could have happened had I not tried. That alone gave me the motivation to take the leap!
how i make it happen
3 morning musts…
Coffee, daily elixir (my green smoothie), and a sweat sesh!
Coffee, daily elixir (my green smoothie), and a sweat sesh!
3 life hacks…
1. Always see the world as glass half FULL. Gratitude and positivity always deliver.
2. Break a sweat every day! Even if it’s just 10 minutes… The endorphins you get pay dividends.
3. The most important muscle is your mind—nurture it, challenge it, and strengthen it just like you would do any other muscle in your beautiful body.
1. Always see the world as glass half FULL. Gratitude and positivity always deliver.
2. Break a sweat every day! Even if it’s just 10 minutes… The endorphins you get pay dividends.
3. The most important muscle is your mind—nurture it, challenge it, and strengthen it just like you would do any other muscle in your beautiful body.
3 secret work weapons...
1. Walk-and-talks for meetings and touch bases whenever possible! It’s the best way to brainstorm and have catch-up calls, AND get that Vitamin D in.
2. Knowing the greatest asset of any business is the HUMANS! Invest in them, take care of them, and make sure they know they are valued.
3. Having a crew of other female founders I can call or text when I am at a loss, feeling the chaos, or just need to chat it OUT.
1. Walk-and-talks for meetings and touch bases whenever possible! It’s the best way to brainstorm and have catch-up calls, AND get that Vitamin D in.
2. Knowing the greatest asset of any business is the HUMANS! Invest in them, take care of them, and make sure they know they are valued.
3. Having a crew of other female founders I can call or text when I am at a loss, feeling the chaos, or just need to chat it OUT.
Personal talisman…
A topaz ring my husband gave me on our first wedding anniversary. I love my wedding rings, but getting through that first year of marriage as hubby and wife felt next level for me!
A topaz ring my husband gave me on our first wedding anniversary. I love my wedding rings, but getting through that first year of marriage as hubby and wife felt next level for me!
Best advice received…
Comparison is the killer of joy! In my late 20s/early 30s, I realized human uniqueness is what it’s all about. I started living life on my terms and stopped trying to be the images I saw in marketing campaigns and on social media. This perspective shift changed everything! I found my true self, met my true love (my now hubby :)) and eventually gained the confidence to start LIVELY. To this day, I find I have to remind myself of this time and time again… it's so easy to get pulled into the perception of who we think we should be versus living in and loving who we truly are, so it’s definitely a daily practice!
Comparison is the killer of joy! In my late 20s/early 30s, I realized human uniqueness is what it’s all about. I started living life on my terms and stopped trying to be the images I saw in marketing campaigns and on social media. This perspective shift changed everything! I found my true self, met my true love (my now hubby :)) and eventually gained the confidence to start LIVELY. To this day, I find I have to remind myself of this time and time again… it's so easy to get pulled into the perception of who we think we should be versus living in and loving who we truly are, so it’s definitely a daily practice!
Michelle Cordeiro Grant in the Finian top
My Style
Favorite wardrobe hack...
Plan your outfit the night before. It makes the getting-ready process the next morning much more seamless and calming, and lessens the chances of you throwing something together last minute you don’t love or feel comfortable in!
Plan your outfit the night before. It makes the getting-ready process the next morning much more seamless and calming, and lessens the chances of you throwing something together last minute you don’t love or feel comfortable in!
Wardrobe MVP...
A black Mui Mui ¾-sleeve peacoat I bought on my first trip to Hong Kong when I was 22.
A black Mui Mui ¾-sleeve peacoat I bought on my first trip to Hong Kong when I was 22.
What I would tell my younger self about getting dressed...
Your best-looking, most stylish self, is your most confident one. It all starts with the right mindset—if you have that, even a pair of distressed jeans and a tee feel like the hottest outfit!
Your best-looking, most stylish self, is your most confident one. It all starts with the right mindset—if you have that, even a pair of distressed jeans and a tee feel like the hottest outfit!
Wearing Veronica Beard makes me feel...
On top of my game! Styled up, comfortable, and confident.
On top of my game! Styled up, comfortable, and confident.
My Recharge
What I'm reading/listening to/binging…
I’m always listening to podcasts on my daily walks/runs! Current favorites are Second Life, Female Founder World with Jasmine Garnsworthy, and Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff—to name just a few. We’re also in the midst of recording Season 3 of LIVELY’s No Makeup Needed podcast, which I cannot wait to share! I'm currently binging Younger, Gossip Girl (both versions), and I just started Mindy Kaling’s new show The Sex Lives of College Girls and loving it so far.
I’m always listening to podcasts on my daily walks/runs! Current favorites are Second Life, Female Founder World with Jasmine Garnsworthy, and Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff—to name just a few. We’re also in the midst of recording Season 3 of LIVELY’s No Makeup Needed podcast, which I cannot wait to share! I'm currently binging Younger, Gossip Girl (both versions), and I just started Mindy Kaling’s new show The Sex Lives of College Girls and loving it so far.
Beauty/self-care must-haves…
1. goop Martini soak
2. Love Wellness bloat pills—I cannot survive the weekend without these!
3. Nars Gipsy—the perfect pop of color for the lips and a low lift way to make me feel put together.
4. LIVELY face mist! The perfect refresh when I’m on the go.
5. Supergoop! Sunscreen. Can’t leave the house without SPF.
6. Ceremonia Guava Rescue Spray
7. Golde Turmeric Matcha
1. goop Martini soak
2. Love Wellness bloat pills—I cannot survive the weekend without these!
3. Nars Gipsy—the perfect pop of color for the lips and a low lift way to make me feel put together.
4. LIVELY face mist! The perfect refresh when I’m on the go.
5. Supergoop! Sunscreen. Can’t leave the house without SPF.
6. Ceremonia Guava Rescue Spray
7. Golde Turmeric Matcha
Favorite thing to do…
Spend quality time with the hubby and kids.
Spend quality time with the hubby and kids.
Favorite thing to make…
I came up with my daily elixir recipe at the beginning of quarantine and have rarely gone a day without it since. It’s a riff off a few other recipes I found and is super easy to make. I was on the hunt for something that was refreshing and delicious, but also anti-inflammatory, nourishing, and energizing, and it checks all of these boxes. I rarely start the day without it!
I came up with my daily elixir recipe at the beginning of quarantine and have rarely gone a day without it since. It’s a riff off a few other recipes I found and is super easy to make. I was on the hunt for something that was refreshing and delicious, but also anti-inflammatory, nourishing, and energizing, and it checks all of these boxes. I rarely start the day without it!
One mover and shaker I admire…
Diane ovn Furstenberg… She has reinvented herself and her brand over and over while always staying true to her core values. One of my business mottos is that a brand needs to be both timeless and timely to have longevity, and hers is the true definition of that.
Diane ovn Furstenberg… She has reinvented herself and her brand over and over while always staying true to her core values. One of my business mottos is that a brand needs to be both timeless and timely to have longevity, and hers is the true definition of that.
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