Lara Hakamaki shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Lara, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me starts early! I’m usually up by 5:30 a.m. to take care of nearly 40 animals, which includes feeding, cleaning, and making sure everyone’s happy and healthy. After that, I water the garden, pack lunches, and head to work. I work in the mental health field, so my days are filled with supporting people and helping them navigate really important parts of their lives. When I get home, it’s back to animal care! I usually unwind by filming a few beauty TikTok videos before heading to bed. It’s a full day, but I love the balance between structure, creativity, and care, both for people and animals.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Lara Hakamaki, and I am honored to hold the title of Miss Eco Michigan USA. I am a proud animal mama to nearly 40 rescue and homestead animals, a passionate advocate for mental health, and a full-time Director of Corporate Development for a growing psychology organization.
My days start early. I am up usually before sunrise tending to the animals, watering the garden, and preparing for the day ahead. In my professional role, I work behind the scenes to build partnerships, support sustainable growth, and ensure we are delivering compassionate care to those in need of mental health services. Mental wellness has always been close to my heart, and I feel truly grateful to work in a field where I can help create positive change.
What makes my journey to the Miss Eco USA stage truly special is my deep connection to sustainable living. My homestead isn’t just where I live, it’s where I practice the very values I hope to inspire in others. From growing our own food and reducing waste to repurposing materials and living in harmony with the land, sustainability is something I live daily, not just speak about.
I’m also proud to have been voted Miss Congeniality in three consecutive pageants. It’s a title that means the world to me. It reflects the kindness, warmth, and sincerity I strive to bring into every space I enter. Whether I’m supporting my community, mentoring others, or creating content online, I believe that genuine connection is what truly makes a queen.
As Miss Eco Michigan USA, I’m excited to continue sharing a platform that unites sustainability, mental health advocacy, and conscious living. I hope to inspire others to care deeply for our planet, for our minds, and for one another.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Who saw me clearly before I saw myself? Without a doubt, my people.
My journey has been shaped by the unwavering belief of those closest to me. My family, my friends, and mentors have poured love and confidence into me.
My parents have always been my rock. They taught me grit, resilience, and what it means to love unconditionally. My mom is the definition of strength and kindness, and my dad’s support has been steady through every stage of my life…from chasing softball dreams to stepping on stage with a crown.
My siblings are some of the most brilliant, fun, and driven people I know. Growing up with them pushed me to work hard and never take life too seriously. My grandparents have each left a lasting imprint on my heart. My grandpa sparked my love for the earth. You can find him fishing, chopping wood, or feeding wild animals even in his 80s. My grandma, who shares my love of beauty, creativity, and storytelling, feels like a reflection of my future self. I see so much of who I am in her. My Grandma Norma gifted me with her quick wit and bright humor.
I also grew up with the kind of neighbors most people only dream of. Mr. and Mrs. Mielcarek. They believed I could do anything and treated me like family, cheering me on through every stage of life.
My partner pushes me and supports me in all aspects of life, especially being a pet parent.
And my friends… they’ve been there for every up and down, every success and setback. Their constant love and support remind me that no dream is ever too big when you have people who believe in you.
I truly wouldn’t be who I am today without this beautiful circle of encouragement. They’ve helped shape my heart, my purpose, and the path I walk with so much pride.
To my friends and family… I love you.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be this: “Little Lara, you can do anything.”
You’ve always been bold, bubbly, and full of big dreams. Every single one of them is possible. You can start that makeup company you’ve imagined. You can play college softball and earn the scholarship you work so hard for. You can build a career that lights you up. You can even walk across the stage as Miss Eco Michigan USA…. AND WIN.
The key? Confidence. With belief in yourself and the heart you’ve always carried, you can do it all…and more. Keep shining, keep dreaming, and never let anyone dim your light. The world is waiting for you.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! The public me is absolutely the real me.
What you see is a bubbly, passionate, purpose-driven woman…and that’s true through and through. But the private version of me? She’s usually covered in dirt, duck water, and surrounded by chickens. I love dressing up and stepping into the role of beauty queen, but at my core, I’m a girl from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan who finds joy in the simple things, like bare hands in the garden soil, cuddles from muddy animals, and the peace of homestead life.
Both versions of me are real, and I think that’s what makes my story unique. Whether I’m in heels or rubber boots, I lead with heart and stay grounded in who I am.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people say, “Lara? Oh yeah, she was basically sunshine in overalls, and probably had a duck under one arm.”
I want people to remember that I made them feel completely loved, hyped up, and accepted exactly as they were, whether they were winning at life or having a meltdown over a spilled coffee. I hope they laugh and say, “She always showed up—with snacks, cleaned the house for me, and had the most random animals following her.”
I want to be remembered as the girl who would glam up for a pageant, then go home and play tag with my turkey in the same lashes. Who made people feel like they belonged. Who encouraged dreams, talked too fast when she was excited, and that I would fight for justice and equality.
If people smile when they say my name, and feel even a little more loved because I was here, that’s the story I hope they tell.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Lara_hakamaki
- Other: TikTok: Lara.5515
Image Credits
Cutting edge photography
