Shannon Lazovski

When Shannon Lazovski started her fashion and beauty blog Glamorous Moms 20 years ago, she had no idea it would take her on such an amazing journey that continues today.

“Glamorous Moms started as a hobby and quickly became a business within the first year.” she said. "After a few years working in the blogging world, I noticed a big hole in the Michigan fashion community. There was nobody out there creating content highlighting the who's who of Michigan fashion. That's when I started Detroit Fashion News. And then a few years later, I purchased Detroit Mommies from a friend.

“I simply took what I learned as a product specialist and applied it in the digital space,” said Lazovski. She and her husband have a son in high school and a daughter in college. “It has been such a wonderful journey; it’s been so much fun.” She still runs all three blogs today and has earned a large number of followers with her digital presence and philanthropic work. “I have such a loving and supportive audience.”

Lazovski, who ran The Lazov Agency, a boutique social media management agency, now works as a freelance digital creator, branding strategist and consultant. Shortly before the pandemic, she launched the Glamorous Moms Foundation (GMF), a nonprofit that helps women who are either rebuilding their lives or currently suffering from poverty, homelessness, human trafficking and/or domestic violence by supplying life necessities crucial to good health and survival.

GMF community outreach programs include New Mom Baskets that bring hope, love and joy to expectant mothers in vulnerable situations.

“I don’t have the power to completely change a woman’s situation, but we all have the power to brighten someone’s day,” she said. “The baskets are filled with necessities to promote good health, safety and proper hygiene. Nursing supplies and other products can be costly. Even if a mom does have the money, most put their own needs aside to make sure their family has what they need first. If they have $10 to either buy hygiene products or feed their children, they will buy the food to feed their children.”

She receives feedback from hospital workers to determine what products are needed for the baskets that help the staff bond with new moms, while making them feel loved. “We are making an impact,” she said.

Lazovski tailors the contents to various community partners and coordinates the baskets with delivery nurses and social workers. “During COVID when women in labor would test positive, their babies were immediately taken away from them for a 14- day quarantine period,” she said. “There were tears and depression when it was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives.”

She also facilitates weekly peer-to-peer virtual support groups called “The Mom Squad” and "Surviving Domestic Violence & Abuse." Both are free and held via Zoom. Women are invited to listen to stories, have supportive, judgement-free girl-talk and receive recommendations for helpful podcasts, books and professional resources.

To help support these programs, Lazovski donates a percentage of the proceeds from her lipstick brand, Glameselle. The colors are named after strong and wonderful women she has met along her journey (first names only). “It’s about women supporting women,” she said.

The Glamorous Moms Foundation will host its third annual Glamorous Luncheon fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 20 at the Townsend Hotel. Tickets are $125 per person. Go to https://glamorousmoms.foundation/

Story: Jeanine Matlow

Photo: Laurie Tennent