For Monica Notaro, MIROH didn’t begin as a perfectly mapped-out business plan. It started during a deeply personal chapter of her life—one defined by transition, responsibility, and resilience.
At the time, Notaro was working in pharmaceutical sales while adjusting to life as a first-time single mom with a newborn. With a background in biochemistry and a strong understanding of nutrition, she began preparing meals that felt nourishing, intentional, and elevated—something she felt was missing from her own routine.
“I didn’t start MIROH with this huge vision,” she says. “It was really personal.”
The name MIROH reflects that. It’s derived from her daughter’s name, Mila Rose, who has been at the center of everything since day one. What started as a small side hustle out of her home kitchen quickly gained traction as demand steadily increased.
As momentum built, Notaro made the decision to leave her full-time job, transition into a commercial kitchen, and eventually open her own brick-and-mortar location. It was a major risk, but one she felt ready to take.
Today, MIROH Meals serves clients across Metro Detroit and partners with major companies including GM, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, LinkedIn, and the College for Creative Studies. What once felt like a small, personal project has grown into a trusted and recognizable brand.
But the early days were far from easy.
“I was doing everything myself,” Notaro explains. “Cooking, packaging, deliveries, customer communication, menu creation—on top of being a mom and still pursuing music.”
There was little separation between work and life. Long days often turned into longer nights, and problem-solving became constant. “I was figuring everything out as I went,” she says.
What kept her going was a combination of belief and purpose. “I believed in what I was building, and I could see the impact it was having on people,” she says. “But more than that, my daughter was watching. I wasn’t just building a business—I was building a life for us.”
There were defining moments that marked a shift. Opening her storefront made everything feel more tangible. Later, forming partnerships with large corporate clients reinforced that MIROH had grown into something with real reach and credibility.
“It’s about how people feel,” she says. “Everything we create is plant-based, but we focus just as much on flavor, quality, and presentation. I never wanted it to feel restrictive—I wanted it to feel effortless and elevated.”
Her goal is to make customers feel taken care of. “When someone opens their fridge, I want them to know they have something nourishing and ready for them,” she says. “It should feel easy.”
Running a growing business while raising a child means no two days look the same.
“There really isn’t a typical day,” Notaro says. “Some days I’m fully in the business, managing operations and working with my team. Other days I’m at my daughter’s school, at hockey practice, performing, or creating content.”
Her daughter has been part of the journey from the beginning. “It’s just been the two of us,” she says. “She’s seen everything—the hard work, the wins, and the challenges. She’s grown up alongside MIROH.”
Balancing those roles is something Notaro approaches with intention rather than perfection. “When I’m working, I’m focused. When I’m with her, I try to be fully present,” she explains. “She’s not separate from what I do—she’s part of it.”
As for the idea of balance, she’s realistic. “I don’t think it exists perfectly,” she says. “It shifts constantly. Some days are heavier on work, some are more focused on being a mom. For me, it’s about alignment.”
Motherhood and entrepreneurship, she says, have strengthened each other. “Motherhood has made me more patient, more driven, and stronger overall. It’s given everything I do a deeper purpose,” she explains. “Entrepreneurship has taught me resilience, independence, and confidence.”
In addition to running MIROH, Notaro continues to pursue music, something she describes as a core part of who she is.
“I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” she says. “It’s not something I chose—it’s just always been part of me.”
Her music career has included performing in a band for a decade, singing at Carnegie Hall, and performing the national anthem across major platforms including the NHL, MLB, NFL, NCAA, and more.
“Those experiences really shaped me,” she says. “And singing the national anthem is something I’ll never take for granted.”
Music offers a contrast to the structure of running a business. “Entrepreneurship is strategic and demanding. Music is emotional and freeing. It’s where I can just feel and be myself.”
That balance has helped shape her evolving definition of success.
Like many entrepreneurs, Notaro has faced moments of self-doubt. “Of course,” she says. “But I’ve learned to move through it instead of letting it stop me.”
That mindset extends to the advice she gives other women.
“You don’t have to do everything perfectly,” she says. “You’re allowed to feel overwhelmed. The most important thing is giving yourself grace.”
For those waiting for the right time, her advice is simple: start anyway.
“There will never be a perfect moment,” she says. “You figure it out by doing.”
She also emphasizes the importance of women supporting one another. “There’s so much power in that,” she says. “When we genuinely want to see each other win, it changes everything.”
At the core of everything Notaro does is a clear sense of identity and self-trust.
“To me, being a strong, independent woman means knowing who you are and trusting yourself fully,” she says. “It’s about creating your own path and building a life that feels true to you.”
And just as importantly, she adds, it’s about allowing yourself to evolve.
“Strength doesn’t mean being hard all the time,” she says. “It means being secure in who you are—and having the confidence to own it.”
Where to find MIROH: Vegan meal delivery service offering takeout and catering of gluten-free meals.
miromeals.com
Delivered weekly to your doorstep.
DON'T WANT DELIVERY? BUT WANT CUSTOM MEALS? CLICK ON “PICKUP” BEFORE YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER AND WE WILL HOLD YOUR MEALS FOR TUESDAY PICKUP!
Order by SUNDAY @ 4PM each week for delivery the following Tuesday
Menu changes often, so check the website for more information.
Text 248-568-0985 for questions.
2398 Franklin Road
Bloomfield Township, MI, 48302
** Located SUGARBUSH PLAZA (large white plaza on the corner of Square Lake Rd + Franklin Rd***
STORE HOURS
Monday 12pm-4pm
Tuesday 8am-6pm
Wednesday- Friday 8am-2pm
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday 12pm-4pm