Conversations with Michelle Vargo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Vargo

Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been passionate about creating art and its positive impact. After visiting CU Boulder on a college trip, I fell in love with the area. I moved from Virginia to Colorado in 2010 to attend CU and graduated with a double major in Art History and Studio Art. During my time as a CU student I started working as a part-time sales associate at Bliss and interned at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Over the years, I have worked my way up from a part-time sales associate to managing and eventually owning the business. In February of 2020, my business partner and I bought Bliss. Promptly we needed to pivot our original business plan to accommodate the pandemic. We used our artistic backgrounds and love for craftsmanship to connect with local vendors in order to stock our shelves during the supply chain disruption. This decision has forever changed the face of the business. Noticing our customers’ positive reactions to local products, we continue to stock local Colorado products alongside a number of American made products and carefully curated international products. We are nearing 50% of our brands being local Colorado artisans and craftspeople and hope to continue on this trajectory. It is my personal belief and new found passion over the last five years in business that, as a wholesale retailer, we have the ability to change the supply chain for the better by stocking local artisans, with minimal packaging and waste, while keeping our economy local.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t believe owning a business can be a smooth road! It takes so many twists and unexpected turns from global pandemics to the current job market, staffing challenges, and economic climates. However, it is positively responding to these challenges that creates a positive future.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve been drawing since I could remember. In highschool I won my first gallery spot through a local art show hosted by my private art teacher. I’ve moved through many classic mediums mastering most of them with the ability to create photo-realistic recreations. Creating art has always silenced my mind and aided in my mental health. It wasn’t until my college career that I challenged my personal concept of “what is art?” Ever since I have been creating in a number of different mediums experimenting with the effect artistic displays have on the viewer and their personal perception of reality. Most recently I have been learning the craft of plaster mold making with human participants. I create art mostly for myself or for others that share the same passion. Although I am passionate about helping others sell their art and creations, I don’t believe this is my path. Ezra Croft was famously quoted saying, “People need art in their houses. They don’t need Bed Bath and Beyond dentist-office art. They need weird stuff.” Throughout our home, my partner and I have curated a lively collection of art, done by us, our friends, family, and local artisans, including a number of found-object and plaster installations.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Human connection and acting with kindness. It’s my firm belief that positivity is contagious and through positive acts of kindness, placing humanity at their core, one can manifest the impossible and create the reality they wish to see in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blissboulder.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blissboulder/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlissBoulder/