We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Felikian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I created LAV out of a personal need. From a young age, I’ve always been passionate about wellness, and that passion shaped my approach to nutrition and lifestyle. I also have a deep love for cooking—spending time in the kitchen with my mom and creating healthy, new recipes has always been a source of joy for me. Cooking is my love language, and it helps me clear my mind when I’m stressed or overwhelmed.

In high school, when I started packing my own lunches, my friends were always excited to see what kind of salad I brought that day. I loved experimenting with ingredients and finding fun ways to make healthy eating more exciting. When I got to college, balancing school, internships, and extracurriculars, packing a lunch became my lifesaver. My go-to was always a salad because it was so easy to toss together some veggies and protein in a Tupperware. But I got frustrated with the messy little containers I used for dressing—they would always leak and make my lunchbox oily.

I kept thinking, “There has to be a better way. Why isn’t there a healthy dressing in convenient packets?” After searching online and finding nothing, I knew I had to create it. That’s when I decided to take my homemade, Armenian-inspired dressings and package them in convenient, shelf-stable packets for on-the-go use.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
LAV was born out of a personal need for delicious salad dressings that were convenient and made from real, whole-food ingredients. As someone who has packed lunch salads on-the-go for years, I consistently struggled to travel with dressing. By the end of the day, my small Tupperware containers would leak, leaving me with an oily, acidic lunch bag. I thought to myself, “there has to be an easier way.” But, everything I found on the market was full of inflammatory seed oils and unnecessary ingredients. So, I set out to create a line of single-serve, Armenian-inspired dressings that are gluten-free, seed-oil-free, and made from simple, clean ingredients.

What sets LAV apart is our commitment to flavor and health. We fuse the bold, authentic flavors of my Middle Eastern heritage with a modern twist, offering dressings that aren’t just for salads—they can also be used as marinades, dips, and more. Our single-serve packets make it easy to enjoy healthy meals on the go, and we’re proud to be offering a product that helps people eat better, no matter where they are.

Building this brand has definitely come with its challenges. Being a young entrepreneur, I’ve had to learn a lot about the business world quickly, from product development to marketing and distribution. There were times when things didn’t go as planned—whether it was packaging sourcing issues or navigating the complexities of food production. But each challenge has taught me valuable lessons, especially the importance of persistence and adaptability.

I want the world to know that LAV is more than just a salad dressing brand—it’s a passion project built from my love for nutritious food and my desire to share the flavors of my culture with others. We’re excited to keep growing, and I’m grateful for the support we’ve received along the way!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Born and raised in LA, I feel like I know the city pretty well! My perfect weekend would start with a trip to Caffe Luxxe for a coffee. They brew liquid gold in there! Then, I’d definitely try to get in a walk or hike! Maybe the Manhattan Beach strand or Los Leones Hike in the Palisades. After that, we’d probably stop for lunch. Most visitors love to hit Erewhon, it’s definitely become a part of LA culture. I also always love to roam the aisles and check out new products. Once everyone’s fed, we can do a little shopping. Maybe The Grove for that tried and true LA experience!? Finally, after a little afternoon siesta, we’d head over to a reservation at Great White, one of my all-time favorite spots. Everyone can order something they’re happy with, and the food never disappoints. Gotta finish things off with a sweet treat at Go Greek or Sweet Rose Creamery – the best!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this to my parents. I could not do any of this without their support and guidance. They encourage me to take risks, to work hard, and most importantly, to not be afraid to fail. They’re ready to listen when I need to vent, and ready to work when I need free employees, without hesitation. I’d be lost without them!

Website: https://dresslav.com

Instagram: @lavdresswell

Linkedin: LAV

Other: tik tok: @lavdresswell

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.