#MAKEITHAPPEN

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…
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.

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.

When in doubt, I…
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!

3 morning musts…
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.

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.

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!

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!