Elena Lazarev believes healthy living starts with good information. A native of Ukraine who moved to the United States in 2007, she now owns and manages Specialty’s Health Food Market on Main Street, where she helps customers navigate nutrition and natural wellness. Lazarev says there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing people gain confidence in their health journey.
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Organization: Specialty’s Health Food Market
Title: Owner-Manager
Age: 57
Hometown: Donetsk, Ukraine
Education: 1. Certified Holistic Nutritionist; 2. Master’s Degree in Computer Analysis,
Interests / Hobbies: My interests have become my profession since relocating to the United States in 2007. I am passionate about healthy living, clean eating, natural self-care, and taking a holistic approach to supporting health and wellness. I enjoy continuously learning about nutrition and natural health, and I love sharing that knowledge with others. Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, hiking, reading and playing the piano. Both help me relax, recharge, and maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.
What motivated you to get involved in this work/community/activity? My motivation came from my own passion for health and wellness. I believe that food and natural lifestyle choices can have a significant impact on overall well-being and quality of life. What keeps me motivated is the opportunity to educate, support, and inspire others to make healthier choices. Seeing people improve their health, discover better products, or simply feel more confident about their wellness journey is incredibly rewarding.
What values or principles guide how you show up in this role/community? The values that guide me most are integrity, compassion, and a genuine commitment to helping others improve their health and quality of life. I believe in educating people so they can make informed choices, rather than simply selling products. I also value continuous learning, which allows me to stay informed and provide the best possible guidance to my community.
What’s the most enjoyable aspect? The most enjoyable aspect is seeing the positive impact I can have on people’s lives. There is nothing more rewarding than hearing a customer tell me they feel better, have found products that truly work for them, or can finally enjoy delicious gluten-free and sugar-free treats without compromising their health goals. Building relationships with customers and becoming someone they trust for honest advice is the most fulfilling part of what I do.
Can you briefly share a few standout memories? One memory that has stayed with me is meeting a family whose young son was living with Crohn’s disease. They had him on a very strict diet with no gluten, grains, sugar, or dairy, which made finding safe foods incredibly difficult. When they discovered our health food store and keto bakery, the little boy became emotional because, for the first time in a long while, he could enjoy treats that fit his dietary needs. Seeing the relief and happiness on his face reminded me why I love what I do and how meaningful even small things can be for families facing health challenges.
Can you share an insight about this role that most people don’t know? One thing most people don’t realize is that working in a health food store is about much more than selling products. We often become trusted listeners, educators, and problem-solvers for people who are dealing with serious health challenges or trying to improve their well-being. Many customers come to us after they haven’t found the answers they were looking for elsewhere. Building trust takes time, and it’s incredibly rewarding to help them discover healthier options, understand nutrition, and make changes that can genuinely improve their lives. Every conversation is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
What’s one key piece of advice you’ve embraced? One piece of advice I’ve embraced is to never stop learning. Health and nutrition are constantly evolving, and there is always something new to discover. Staying curious and open-minded has helped me better serve my customers and grow both personally and professionally. I also believe in listening before giving advice. Every person’s health journey is unique, and understanding their individual needs is the first step toward helping them find solutions that truly work.
What’s the greatest challenge? The greatest challenge is helping people navigate the overwhelming amount of health information available today. There are countless trends, opinions, and conflicting recommendations online, which can leave people confused and frustrated. My goal is to listen carefully, understand each person’s unique situation, and help them make informed choices that are realistic, sustainable, and aligned with their individual health goals.
Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration in the people I meet every day. Seeing customers take control of their health, overcome challenges, and celebrate even small improvements motivates me to keep learning and doing my best. One of the most rewarding moments is seeing the excitement and relief on the faces of people with celiac disease, diabetes, and other health-related challenges when they discover that everything we bake in our store is gluten-free and sugar-free. For many of them, finding a place where they can enjoy delicious treats without worrying about their dietary restrictions feels truly special.
What are your future plans or ambitions? My future plans are to continue growing our community and expanding our ability to help more people live healthier lives. I hope to continue educating and inspiring others through our store, sharing knowledge about nutrition, natural self-care, and a holistic approach to wellness. My ambition is to make healthy living more accessible and enjoyable while building a community where people feel supported, understood, and encouraged on their health journeys.
