Welcome to
Minnesota Happy
“Helping you remember the moments worth smiling about.”
Spark the happy. Keep the smile. Share it with the world
"HAPPY LOOKS SO GOOD ON YOU"
Why Minnesota Happy?
“Because somewhere along the way, angry became the default, and honestly, it’s exhausting. It's our time to be Happy once again!”
Everywhere we turn—on the road, online, in line—it’s short tempers and eye rolls. Folks are stressed, rushed, and ready to snap. But here’s the thing: under all that? We still remember.
That road trip that went off the rails in the best way.
That lazy Sunday morning with your favorite mug.
That one joke that still makes you laugh until it hurts.
We created Minnesota Happy to spark those exact memories—every time you see our logo, wear our merch, or sip from one of our mugs. Think of it as your own personal “happy button.” A quick nudge that says, “Hey… I remember that feeling?”
Because your happy isn’t gone. It’s just been buried under the noise. We’re here to help you dust it off, keep it close, and share it forward.
We believe happy spreads fast, so let’s get this party started—one smile, one story, one memory at a time.
Meet your Minnesota Happy Creators
We’re Paul and Tawnja — the duo behind Minnesota Happy. After years of seeing grumpy take center stage, we decided enough was enough. We missed the good stuff… so we made it our mission to spark joy, share stories, and remind people that happy isn’t something you buy, it’s something you remember.
Our own Happies? Life on Forest Lake, a house full of furry chaos, Tawnja finally writing the book she’d dreamed of for years, and Paul playing drums like he’s still 20 (and drinking coffee from a Minnesota Happy mug all day).
Now, we want to hear from you. Tell us about your happy — the little or big moments that make you grin — and we might just share it with the world. Because happiness isn’t just a feeling… it’s contagious.
“Happy Isn’t Just One Thing."
It’s Five!
Because joy wears different outfits. Some days it’s a road trip. Other days it’s a cozy blanket. Which one’s yours today?
“You can’t mess this up. Unless you leave without clicking. Then, yeah, that’s wrong.”
Love Always Wins
Love Always Wins, Surviving Bobbie Dearest: Tawnja Zahradka’s empowering memoir of triumph over a dark past. A survivor’s tale of a silly little North Dakota girl’s journey of healing and redemption.
This book is a tribute to people who have survived unspeakable things. This true story was written for all of you readers who crave a happy ending to a horror film. First time author, Tawnja Zahradka, is a survivor, director, writer, producer, actress, model, candidate for Congress, foodie, excellent shopper and former Mrs. Minnesota America. Tawnja is a happily married woman, busy raising a menagerie of adopted critters. Love Always Wins, Surviving Bobbie Dearest is not a children’s book. This book will make you laugh, bring you to tears, make you throw objects at your wall, and hopefully, erupt into thunderous applause for its very Minnesota Happy ending. Welcome to Love Always Wins.
About The Author
Tawnja is a Graduate of The University of North Dakota. She has been a professional model for 42 years. She has studied at the Guthrie Theater and barely completed courses in Stand-up Comedy & Improv. She was crowned Mrs. Minnesota America 1994, and she made the Top 10 at The Mrs. America Pageant, held in Austin, Texas.
Tawnja Zahradka was a major party endorsed candidate for The United States Congress, in 2020.
Miss Zahradka’s critters include five rescue cats, two spoiled rotten little Pomeranian dogs, and the best little goat to have ever graced this world. In her opinion.
Tawnja is celebrating fifteen years of marriage, twenty years of love, to her Rockstar drummer and Emmy Nominated filmmaker husband, Paul Peterson.
This is the first book Tawnja has written. She doesn’t plan on it being her last.
“Your Happy’s Still in There.”
Life throws curveballs. (Sometimes a whole bucket of them.) Deadlines, traffic jams, the world’s longest grocery store line… yeah, we’ve all been there.
But joy? It’s still under the surface—patiently waiting for you to notice it again.
One adventure that makes your heart race.
One cozy night where the world melts away.
One laugh so hard you can’t breathe.
Or one little reminder—a mug, a hoodie, a sticker—that sparks that “oh yeah” moment.
You’ve felt it before. You can feel it again.
Why not today?
“Happy You Can Hold, Wear, or Sip”
“Every MN Happy product is designed to bring joy to your day and a smile to the world.”
Warm Hug Hoodie
Minnesota Happy Edition
It’s like your favorite hug—but with sleeves. Whether you’re curled up with a cup of something steamy or strolling through crunchy leaves, this hoodie is your cozy companion. Made for calm moments, kind thoughts, and carrying good vibes out into the world. Pull it on when you need a little extra comfort or want to pass a warm feeling along. Joy included, pockets optional.
Take-It-Easy Tee
Minnesota Happy T-Shirt
This isn’t just a t-shirt—it’s a deep breath in cotton form. Whether you’re laying low, sipping slow, or taking the long way home with the windows down, this tee brings the chill vibes with you. Calm Happy is about soaking in the good, and this shirt? It’s your soft reminder to do just that.
Big Gulp of Happy
Minnesota Happy Edition
This isn’t just a travel mug—it’s a portable mood booster. At 40oz, it’s basically a happiness tank for your day, keeping your coffee hot, your water icy, and your vibes high wherever you go. Road trips, office days, soccer sidelines—this mug is the cheerful sidekick you didn’t know you needed. Durable, insulated, and rocking that MN Happy smile, it’s proof that happy travels better when it’s caffeinated.
The Smile Sipper
A Minnesota Happy Original
This mug isn’t just for coffee—it’s for moments. That first sip at sunrise, the mid-morning reset, or the cozy evening wind-down. Every time you lift it, it lifts you right back. It’s your portable pause, your ceramic smile, your tiny cheerleader in a cup. So go ahead—fill it with whatever fuels your happy.
Carry-It-Forward Tote
Minnesota Happy Style
This isn’t just a tote—it’s a declaration. Of joy. Of purpose. Of grocery-hauling greatness. Whether you’re filling it with fresh produce, picnic snacks, or beach reads, the Carry-It-Forward Tote is here to spread happy wherever it goes. Durable enough for your everyday hustle, cute enough to flex at the co-op, and packed with positive vibes, this bag carries more than stuff—it carries your mission to make the world just a little bit better.
That perfect road trip? • That first sip of coffee in the quiet? • That belly laugh with a best friend?
The moment you helped someone and didn’t expect anything back? • That’s your happy • And it comes in five flavors:
“One shirt. One sip. One smile.
One step closer to your happy.”
“Not just swag. These are happiness delivery systems.”
Join the Minnesota Happy Family!
“Sign up for joy-delivered updates, cheerfulness, exclusive deals, and the occasional reminder that you’re doing great.”
What to Expect When You’re Expecting… Emails from Us
Early Access to New Swag
Because being first feels fantastic.
Random Acts of Couponness
Discounts that show up uninvited, like your favorite kind of surprise.
Feel-Good Stories & Good-Vibe Hacks
A little inspo to make your day a bit brighter and your mood a bit lighter.
Zero Guilt, No Pressure
Open what makes you smile. Delete what doesn’t. We’ll still love you.
A Gentle Nudge Toward Your Happy
Sometimes you just need a reminder—and Minnesota Happy is really good at that.
Today is the day, Paul and I are launching our new baby
MinnesotaHappy.com
The inspiration behind our new website is, we wanted to create a place where people could go, to get their happy on.
We own the domains to the following 19 additional states, besides Minnesota.
We are aiming to launch the other 19 happy states in 2026.
If you don’t see your state, either the domain wasn’t available, or it was available, but it cost a fortune.
For Example, CaliforniaHappy.com cost $7,248.00. We will have to get back to you on that one, California.
AlaskaHappy.com • ArizonaHappy.com • ArkansasHappy.com • IllinoisHappy.com • IowaHappy.com • KansasHappy.com • LouisianaHappy.com • MontanaHappy.com • NevadaHappy.com • NorthDakotaHappy.com • OklahomaHappy.com • OregonHappy.com • SouthDakotaHappy.com • WashingtonHappy.com • UtahHappy.com • WisconsinHappy.com • WyomingHappy.com • UnitedStatesHappy.com
Paul and I invite you to become a part of our brand new, MinnesotaHappy.com.
Together, we plan to spread happiness all over the world, one fabulous state at a time.
Love Always Wins my friends. MinnesotaHappy.com
