Small Business, Big Impact

by Ashlyn Lower

Too many of us don't follow our passions. But amazing things can happen when you do. When college student Ali Lazowski was faced with chronic illness she followed her passion to create Bare Life, an allergen friendly company selling Coconut Hot Chocolate, based in Connecticut. Her health struggle revealed her passion and provided something to the marketplace that was missing for so many people - good tasting food they can actually eat and enjoy.

Ali's individual story is amazing, but it doesn't end there. She has expanded her team to include intern Hayley Brant of Durham. Hayley began working with nonprofit and startup businesses in Hartford through a program called reSET, which assists entrepreneurial start-ups. One of the fledging companies she encountered was Bare Life.

Quickly, Hayley realized she had found a company that aligned with her passion for nutrition and agriculture. As a full-time student at the University of Connecticut studying agriculture and economics, Hayley has been able to expand her knowledge while working at Bare Life. From running all of Bare Life's social media accounts to assisting at trade shows, Hayley has done it all. The internship was only supposed to last for one semester, but has been extended well beyond that. She has become a valued and valuable asset at Bare Life.

When asked about the problem Bare Life's inaugural product solves, Hayley is bursting with answers. The business impacts the lives of everyone who tries it. The product is not just delicious, it is healthy and allergen friendly. Hayley says "the hot chocolate helps people with food allergies, food sensitivities and chronic illnesses. Although you do not need to have any of those to enjoy the product. People who are focusing on a healthier lifestyle or just clean eating in general are really drawn to the product as well."
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Hayley speaks about her experience with Ali and Bare Life with pride. She attributes exploring and defining her personal strengths to the internship.

"Ali has been a really positive influence, she has recognized some of my strengths and really allowed me to develop them and become a really crucial asset," says Hayley.

Being part of something so new has been exciting for Hayley; she has been able to see how much work goes into building a successful company. One of the most rewarding lessons she has learned is that "there can be a ton of creativity in business, you do not have to follow a 'normal' path to do well. You can use your own style and creativity to really excel at what you're doing."

A standout experience for Hayley was the Gluten Free Trade Show that Bare Life participated in recently in Rhode Island. There she met customers who had been affected by the distinctive benefits of the product. She spoke with a family who was able to give their son hot chocolate for the first time, thanks to Bare Life. It may seem insignificant to someone who can go out to any store and get hot chocolate, but when a diet is so severely restricted it can be difficult to find good tasting foods. She also met a woman who had not had hot chocolate in 30 years until she discovered Bare Life hot chocolate. Those moments continue to resonate with Hayley.

Bare Life sells more than hot chocolate, it is the result of something really negative in Ali's life that she has made into a positive for many other people. For Hayley, the internship has been so much more than an introductory business experience.

"The company promotes honesty and transparency - there are only five ingredients," says Hayley, as she reflects on the values set by Ali. The company has taught Hayley how big of an impact a passion can have, and going forward she plans to incorporate that into every aspect of her life.