about me
Hi, my name is Michelle Villafuerte. I’m a second-generation Filipino American. I was born and raised in Seattle’s Rainier Valley neighborhood.
Some of you may know me through my journey as a barista (you may have been a regular that I served), and others might be familiar with me because of my social media accounts where I document my life and share things to do in Seattle.
laron (luh-ROHN)
I named my coffee cart Laron after my mom’s maiden name, which is also my middle name—a nod to both my Filipino heritage and the strength of the woman who raised me. In Filipino culture, it's common to carry your mother’s maiden name as a middle name, and for me, that tradition holds deep meaning.
My mom immigrated to the U.S. in 1997 and is a single mother. She worked tirelessly to build a life for me and my sister and like many children of immigrants, my goal is to not only make her proud but show her that all those hours she spent working have paid off.
For me, starting this business is not only about myself. It’s about creating a legacy for my family and leaving every single person I serve feeling happier.
the logo
PUDGE
PUDGE
My logo is inspired by a cat that I love named Pudge! She is a Scottish Straight Chinchilla Mix.
PUDGE aka PUDGIE has the power to turn any bad day into a brighter one. She’s not always cuddly but she definitely knows when to step up when times are tough. Like Pudge, I want my coffee cart to be that thing that brings people up.
