Alexandra Lazowski's Bare Life, a West Hartford-based company that sells allergen-friendly coconut-based hot cocoa, was named Microenterprise of the Year. Lazowski, who lives with several chronic illnesses, created the product after searching for foods that fit her specific dietary needs.

Ali Lazowski is one of the millions of people living with food restrictions. She knows the challenges of finding variety and supplements for old food favorites, so she did something about it. Her new startup, Bare Life, is changing the way those with restrictions eat, and she's starting with a classic treat, Hot Cocoa.

Lazowski knew she had a good business idea. In 2017, she crowdfunded $9,467 of the $55,000 she requested on Indiegogo to make an organic, dairy- and gluten-free hot cocoa. It helped Lazowski launch Bare Life, an allergen-friendly food brand in West Hartford, Connecticut, in September 2018.