14 Dec A Conversation With Michelle Lockert

A Conversation With:

Michelle Lockert

Holhaus
President & CEO

How long have you been volunteering in the community?

Residing in Altadena, I have been a member of the community all my life.

Tell us a little about yourself.

From the intense love of color and desire to draw early in my childhood, I knew I was destined to be an artist; laughingly, an artist or a doctor. Ironically, my paths would lead me to a blend of creative and healing entities that continue to unfold as steps to the ultimate vision of my goal; blending well-being and the arts in a holistic approach.

Lovingly known as “MiMi” by friends and family, part of my vision is manufacturing MiMi’s Naturally, a natural body-care line and food-line that specializes in pure minimal ingredients with maximum healing properties. After many years of producing shea butter products for friends and family, I evolved MiMi’s Naturally into a product line I thoroughly enjoy producing.

I gained a love for herbs in my late teens which cultivated an affinity for alternative approaches to health and wellness. In 2006, I received training as a Holistic Health Counselor from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City.

My early education involved studying Fashion Design at American Intercontinental University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design. The fashion design culture eventually led me to many design disciplines including interior design.

Part of my vision is developing natural textiles and natural household products, which directed me to create Holhaus, a sustainable marketplace platform that promotes designers and crafters both locally and globally who are cultivating goods from a sustainable point of view.

For more information visit: www.mimisnaturally.com

Where do you see your business in the next 3 years?

In the next 3 years, Holhaus will be working on becoming a globally certified entity. Holhaus has become the parent company to MiMi’s Naturally and Conscious Fuel, a healthy snack vending machine and organic monthly subscription box business.

Why did you join The Valley Economic Alliance’s Business Accelerator Program?

I joined The Valley Economic Alliance’s Business Accelerator Program (BAP) to get a better idea of how I wanted to have Holhaus live out in the world. I had many conceptual ideas that were not manifesting, and I knew the BAP would move me quickly in the right direction. And it did!

What did The Valley Economic Alliance’s Business Accelerator Program help you accomplish?

With the help of the BAP and the other entrepreneurial leaders in the program, Holhaus began to grow from concept to implementation to the first healthy snack vending machine installation.

What are you most excited about your business accomplishing in the near future?

I am very excited about the possibility to install 10 healthy snack vending machines in Southern California in the next 4-5 months.