Meet Lin Olive | Owner / Artist : The Abstract Olive

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

Hi Lin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Originally, I just wanted to make myself a pair of earrings for Autism Awareness because my son is on the spectrum but I never made jewelry before so I didn’t really know what to do or use. I’ve always been into DIY and any creative activity so went to the craft store a few days later and found polymer clay so I decided just give that a try and see what happens. I ended up really enjoying the process and I made extra earrings for myself just to wear everyday. When I started wearing them, I was super shocked but also excited that friends and family actually wanted to buy some! So I started making earrings here and there to sell but at the time I never thought I would be able to start a business. Fast forward to COVID 2020, I was let go from my job but saw it as a sign that I should be doing something I really love so I decided to commit 100% of myself in to starting my own business! It really opened this whole other world of creativity for me and has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The Abstract Olive is your everyday wearable art! I use a medium of polymer clay to create unique, lightweight, and one of a kind jewelry. Each piece is slow made meaning it’s designed, conditioned, sculpted, baked, sanded, and assembled carefully and wholeheartedly by hand with the customers’ happiness in mind. So when I get to see my work worn by a customer, it makes me really proud and also beyond grateful for each and every person who has ever purchased from me.

Starting a business has been one of the most challenging tasks I’ve ever done in my entire life. It has definitely made me question myself in so many ways, “do I have what it takes” “is my art even good enough” “will people purchase the work I put out?”. However, I have some amazing people by my side and a beautiful son who always encourage and support me when I am second guessing myself.

In the beginning, I was so happy that things were going good and business was growing more with my craft getting better each day. But I started to lose track of taking care of myself, accepting every custom request and having a hard time saying no to anyone. It was extremely overwhelming physically and mentally, but I have learned to change the way I manage and prioritize everything and am still learning work and life balance.

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.
I’m a huge baseball fan, so going to an Astros game is an absolute must! Spending the day at Discovery Green, having drinks outdoors at Truck Yard or Axelrad are always great. But also taking a trip to Galveston and enjoying Pleasure Pier is my sons favorite thing to do so I would definitely suggest that as well.

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 definitely wouldn’t have been able to make it this far without five very important people!

I’d like give a HUGE thank you to my son’s dad Anthony for going above and beyond as a great friend and co-parent. He has helped me so much through this journey always giving the best advice any time I need it, encouragement any time I second guess myself, and definitely support when times have gotten tough.

Another huge thank you to my best friend Stevie for always being there for me through the ups and downs of starting this journey. He has helped me with everything from long hot days at markets, listening to all the ideas I come up with, and not only supporting me but encouraging me when I’ve needed it the most.

A huge shoutout and thank you to Leila (owner of Space Montrose) and Ivan (Owner of Moo-Chila) for guiding me through the business process of starting a small business and for always answering any random questions I’ve had at all hours of the day!

And of course, my son who is the motivation that keeps me going. I am forever grateful to be his momma!

Website: www.theabstractolive.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theabstractolive/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abstractolive