Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Olivera. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Amanda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I was raised by my grandparents and my mom. I am first generation in this country so my upbringing was a little different. I remember them working agricultural jobs, which are some of the toughest, most grueling jobs. Yet they never complained. They did the opposite; they were always proud and grateful to have a job and to be able to provide for our family. During summer break, starting at the age of 5, I would go to work with them to pick cherries, and I remember my mom saying, “Stay in school, get a good job so that you don’t have to do this work, and you can make something of yourself.” At that time, I was so young, but I knew the value of hard work and the privilege that I had to have been born in this country. I always felt a sense of responsibility not to let my privileges and opportunities go to waste. So, I took what I learned from them, which was optimism, hard work, gratitude, the importance of kindness and of NEVER giving up. I can say that I’ve tried my best to “make something of myself.” I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and I was proud to represent my family and honor them as the first in our family to have a college education and now to own a business. I share this because I think it is important to always give credit where credit is due. I would not be where I am without the foundation my grandparents and mom worked so hard to build. They risked and sacrificed everything with no guarantee of reward, simply a wish to live a better life. If it weren’t for their sacrifices I would not have the privilege of choice. My business is a representation of not just myself, but the generations who came before me. It signifies that anything is possible, and that dreams come true.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I think it is important to first understand the meaning of my business name, Alis Volat Jewelry,  in order to get a feel for what my business is about. Alis Volat is short for a Latin phrase, Alis Volat Propriis, meaning she flies with her own wings. This is a phrase I got tattooed on my left arm when I was in my early 20s, navigating life. This phrase always held a special place in my heart because no matter what was happening in my life I wanted a reminder that I have the power to create my own opportunities. This is significant because during the inception of my business I was lost and unfulfilled. When I was brainstorming business names it was important that the name held meaning and significance and it was then that I looked at my arm and realized the name had been there all along. 

Starting my business and growing it to where it is now has not been easy. I had to lean into the discomfort, vulnerability and fear of putting myself out there. I had no idea how to run a business, where to offer/sell my services and product, how to use social media and if anyone would believe in what I was creating the way I did. Now when I look back, I am so thankful that I did not let the fear hold me back. I have learned so much about myself through this journey, so much so that I’d say my business freed me of the person I was holding back. It has allowed me to discover my full potential. It has helped me feel alive and helped get through some of the toughest times in my life. I have grown as a business owner and as an individual. Had I never bet on myself, I would never have known what I was capable of. Our time here is so short when you think about it, so why not make the most of it? When my time comes to an end I want to go out with no regrets, knowing that I lived my life to the fullest, that I tried, even if I didn’t succeed at least I tried. 

At Alis Volat Jewelry, we specialize in permanent jewelry, non-permanent jewelry, and hollow needle piercings. Our pieces are designed for everyday wear, because we know life is busy and you deserve jewelry that keeps up. We offer high-quality materials including 14k gold fill, sterling silver, and 14k gold-plated stainless steel. We aim for our jewelry to be a form of self-expression with no rules or limits. We want our jewelry to make the person wearing it feel confident, beautiful and to help them represent themselves the way they want the world to see them. There’s a sense of confidence that comes with feeling good in what you put on your body. That feeling is something everyone deserves to feel. I want my customers to feel like they can conquer the world with their jewelry.

I understand there are many other businesses providing similar services to ours but what sets us apart is our energy, vision and ability to connect with our customers. I am so proud of our organic growth, word of mouth recommendations, and high number of return customers. A lesson I have learned is that my superpower is that no one is me. I am my own competition. I aim to learn from mistakes, pivot when needed and embrace life long learning. I take provide in the quality of our jewelry and the services I provide to each customer. Whether I am providing a service, answering questions or simply greeting a customer, I can guarantee an authentic, genuine interaction.  

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I became a mom at 17, a lot of people quietly—and sometimes not so quietly—told me that my life was already decided. They said my dreams would have to wait, that the best I could do was “make the most” of a situation they assumed would limit me.

But I never believed that motherhood meant my story was over. I believed it meant I had a bigger reason to fight for the life I wanted.

Being a teen mom wasn’t easy. I was navigating parenting while still figuring out who I was, the kind of responsibility most people don’t face until much later. But even on the hard days, I refused to let go of my goals. I showed up to work and class even when I was tired and stressed because I was determined. I worked twice as hard because giving up was never an option—not when I had a little boy watching me.

I went on to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and then my Master’s degree in Social Work—degrees people told me I’d never finish. And after that, I took another leap they didn’t expect: I started my own business.

Alis Volat Jewelry was born from grit, passion, and the belief that my circumstances would not define me. Every piece I create is a reminder that you can rise, even when the odds feel impossible. My journey proves that your dreams don’t disappear when life gets hard—they grow with you, if you’re brave enough to chase them.

Motherhood didn’t end my story. It became the reason I wrote a bigger one.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur is the creative freedom. For much of my life, I believed I had to live within certain limitations—that pursuing art or creativity was irresponsible. I held myself back from tapping into a version of myself that would ultimately set me free.

I always tell people that my business saved my life—and I truly mean it. I started Alis Volat Jewelry at a time when I felt lost and unfulfilled, unsure of why nothing seemed to fit. Building something out of nothing has been incredibly rewarding, but the personal growth and self-discovery I’ve experienced along the way has been my greatest blessing.

To say I love my business is an understatement. I live, breathe, and dream it. For me, jewelry is so much more than an accessory—it’s a feeling. There’s nothing like seeing a customer try on a piece, watching their face light up, and witnessing the confidence that radiates from within. Moments like that remind me why I do what I do—and why following my own path was the best decision I ever made.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @alisvolatjewelry