Tell us a bit about the story behind Olieve & Olie. What was your inspiration and your brand mission?
Our parents started Olieve & Olie in 2000. They had an olive grove and Mum started making soap from their oil, and it grew from there. In 2015 it was still a home-based business, and that’s when Sarah took the reins and moved it into a small factory in Rosebud. In 2017 Hal moved back from Perth and joined the business to expand it further. Our parents are definitely our inspiration, and our mission is to continue to produce high-quality products.
What sets your brand apart from others in the industry?
We make all our skin care products, candles and diffusers ourselves from our own unique recipes using Australian grown olive oil.
What is your favourite product and why?
We both love the Bergamot Hand & Body Wash. We love the fragrance, and it’s so nourishing we don’t need to moisturise afterwards.
What do your customers love about your products?
Our customers love that our products are Australian made, all natural and help improve their skin.
What were the first steps you took to launch? And what would you say was the scariest part/your biggest fear?
The two biggest (and scariest) business decisions we’ve made are:
- In 2015 moving the business from home into a factory and
- Last year purchasing land to build a new factory.
What path led you to Life Instyle and what is it about the show that makes it a great fit for you?
We’ve always known about Life Instyle, and when the business grew we just knew Life InStyle was a must-do for us. In the beginning it was great to gain exposure, and now our business is more established we love re-connecting with our stockists. We have also loved the comradery with the other business owners at the show and have had made lifelong friends.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Imperfect action is always better than perfect inaction.
Can you share one of your proudest moments in business so far
Winning a Gift Life InStyle Gala award in 2017 and being featured multiple times on The Block TV show.
What is the big-picture goal for Olieve and Olie?
We have bought land and are in the process of designing a new factory. We are very excited as this will give us more room as well as an opportunity to connect with our customers through a multi-sensory retail space.
Quick Fire Questions
Where do you see Olieve and Olie in five years' time?
In 5 years’ time we will be in our new factory. Our multi-sensory retail space will be a major tourist attraction for people visiting the Morning Peninsula.
What is your next dream travel destination?
To be honest after two years of Melbourne’s lockdowns we don’t mind where we holiday, we are just so grateful to be able to travel again.
Tell us a fact about yourself that will surprise our readers!
We grew up on King Island.
Favourite dinner recipe?
Dad's lamb roast and Mum's pavlova.
Be sure to visit Olieve & Olie, as they introduce their Reed Diffusers and Christmas Range at stand 3174 at Life Instyle Melbourne, 28-31 July 2022 at the Royal Exhibition Building. Registration is now open.