We were lucky to catch up with Suzanne Davidson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Suzanne, appreciate you joining us today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

I could tell you about my best friend who once hauled off and punched a boy on the bus who kept pulling my pigtails — standing up for me because I was too shy to tell him to quit. But instead, I want to twist the question a little and answer it through the eyes of an entrepreneur and business owner. You have heard of the children’s saying “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me”, (used as a defense against bullying). We all know that words are powerful and can either uplift or crush; encourage or dishearten; and motivate or discourage. For someone who was a stay-at-home Mom for 18 years and started a business after becoming a widow it has been the most encouraging and rewarding (and heart warming) thing to hear from customers “Love what you have sourced here”, “Great shop!”, “Love the way you have everything set up”, “What a fun shop”, and then one of the gestures that means a lot is I have had a number of men hold out their hand to shake my hand (implying”great job”). These are all strangers who walk into my shop over the years but what they have said has uplifted, encouraged, and motivated me to be the best I can at what I do.

Starting a business is not easy so I have appreciated all the kind words and want to encourage those reading this to say something kind to those who own and work at small shops you visit — it will make their day!

Suzanne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

“You want me to SIP this??”…In 2012 Oli+Ve (pronounced Oli and Vee) opened as the first of its kind in the Atlanta area. We are an Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar tasting shop. I love anything that has to do with olives but knew nothing about balsamics. Before 2012 I was employed and working at an elementary school, where I had been for 7 years after becoming a widow, but I always had an urge to start something myself. I got this from growing up with two brothers who were entrepreneurs at an early age, always coming up with different ideas. I wanted to start something unique and different!

Olive oil is a billion dollar business and full of fraud. 60 minutes and NPR have done segments on the fraud and they uncovered the fraud but didn’t give you a solution to finding the real thing….we are your solution! A tasting shop was not my idea but I found out about a supplier (while helping a friend with her son’s rehearsal dinner) who provided the highest quality oils and aged balsamics and provided a way to sample them. I thought what a perfect way to get high quality products out in front of the public, by letting people taste first! We have over 70 different olive oils and aged balsamics to sample. We have expanded our selection over the years along with other quality, unique items either locally sourced or imported, all geared towards food and the kitchen. One of our most popular items is our pasta imported from Italy.

We are unique in that we are located in an old house with a yard (not your typical retail space) with a flower garden and a free cut herb garden (when in season). When we first started, it was such a new thing, it was a bit hard to get people to sip and try the oils and vinegars but the quality of our products and the customer service has created loyal customers who love to visit and see what we have new as well as bring family and friends to come in as something fun to do on the street.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I was excited about starting this business and dove in, full steam ahead! I had researched, started studying about the products and actually had gone up to Chattanooga, TN and met with a realtor, found a spot on the Northshore and then froze! This was a lot to do on my own! I know nothing about starting or running a business! I had told my brothers about what I wanted to do and they were very supportive. When I talked to my older brother he said “I know someone you need to talk to”….it was the wife of a good friend from college. I knew him well but did not know her. My brother had found out that she had wanted to start a retail shop so told her “you need to talk to my sister, she has a great idea”. I set up a time to meet and she wasn’t so sure about the idea…she didn’t cook and the idea didn’t sound like it would take hold. Somehow I convinced her it would and she said “okay” but I will only do it if we open up on Canton Street (a very busy street in historic Roswell). She was a realtor so I trusted that she knew what she was talking about. So, we set up shop (neither one of us with retail experience).

I learned that having a business partner is like a marriage. In a good marriage you have to be able to communicate well, Trust the other person (build loyalty), have Respect (value each other’s opinions), be able to compromise and last but not least (especially in retail) have a sense of humor!! We complemented each other through taking on the jobs and responsibilities that we were good at. She, since, has retired from the business (after 4 years) and gone back to selling real estate. She had, from the get go, said that she was not in it for the long-haul but she still has her fingers in it because she does the bookkeeping…something I hate doing but she is good at. So, now, after buying her half, am 100% owner and still loving it, always looking for ways to improve and grow the business.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Opening the business in 2012, social media was not like it is now but it existed and was a big learning curve for a 50ish year old. My business partner at the time thought it was a waste of time but my daughters encouraged and made it clear that it was necessary. So, I created a Facebook and Instagram account. The photos and content, looking back, were pretty pitiful but I’m so glad I started when I did because, like anything, the more you do it the better you get (and so do the pictures with the new phones).

Both social media presence and having a website helped get the word out but I think the most important thing we did to build a reputation was do offsite events. We would pack up and go to: hospitals during February (for Heart Health month), Master Gardeners events in the Spring, Farmer’s Markets, different Garden Club Meetings, and the biggest thing were Holiday events in November and December. People began to recognize our brand and what we did.

Those are all very labor intensive and I realize that only so many people will be brought into the shop so now I am building a new website in hopes of being able to reach more people and expand my brand and products to even more, especially for those who prefer to do online shopping. Now, we have proof from over 60,000 tasters what we do, the quality of what we provide, and a good reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oliandve.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliandve
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliandve
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/oliandve/

Image Credits

Suzanne Davidson (myself)