Welcome to our Member Spotlight Series, where we proudly showcase the businesses and individuals making a difference in our Strive community and beyond! Today we have the pleasure of highlighting Elie fares with Larwise. Larwise is a startup personalized e-commerce platform operating out of Strive Boulder. Join us as we learn more about what led Elie to launch his business and what he finds most rewarding about his work!
Tell us a little about Larwise.
Larwise is a personalized e-commerce platform that helps people discover innovative, new products tailored to solve their lifestyle needs—ideal for both personal shopping and thoughtful gifting. Through a brief, interactive onboarding experience, the platform analyzes each user’s profile and curates a selection of products that truly resonate with them.
We’re launching soon so please visit larwise.com to learn more and subscribe for early access.
What inspired you to start Larwise?
I noticed that many innovative consumer products offer better solutions than traditional options but often struggle to reach the people who would benefit from them most. They either get lost in the noise or are too early on their journey to be easily discovered. I wanted to create a platform that removes friction from discovery, especially for busy people who want to live better or give thoughtful gifts, but don’t have the time to browse through endless choices
What sets your business apart from competitors?
Larwise makes it easy for people to discover the right products for their lifestyle—without the stress of endless searching. We use a smart matching model based on behavioral science to recommend products that fit the user’s known and unknown needs. We also partner directly with emerging brands, giving them a meaningful way to reach the right audience.
What’s one thing you wish you had known when you were starting your business?
In the corporate world, I was used to processes that involved large teams, budgets, and support systems. Moving into entrepreneurship, I learned the value of “lean” thinking and how to get the most out of fewer resources while focusing on what truly drives value.
How do you manage work-life balance?
I try to be intentional about setting boundaries – mentally and physically. Being part of a coworking space helps with that because it creates a clear separation between work and home. I also carve out time for outdoor activities, especially here in Boulder.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part is building something useful from scratch, especially knowing we’re now so close to launching. It’s been a long journey but watching it all come together is the best feeling.
How has being part of the Strive Boulder community impacted you and your business?
Since I work with a fully remote team, being here helps me feel more grounded. I especially enjoy the casual kitchen chats and quick coffee conversations with other coworkers.
If you had a friend visiting, where would you take them to enjoy the best of your community?
We’d do a quick hike in the Flatirons, wander around Pearl Street, then head to Denver for some amazing temakis at Temaki Den.
We would like to thank Elie for his willingness to share his journey with us and for being such a great part of our community. If you are interested in spotlighting your business, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your community manager – we are always eager to help elevate your business in any way we can!