Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deb Oliviara. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Deb, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?
I was raised by entrepreneur parents. I was also a homeschooled kid. School days often looked like going to dad’s shop, doing school work in the breakroom then hanging out at work with my parents. My parents were amazing at listening to my sister and me. Listening to what our interests were. I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a business owner. Specifically, I knew I wanted to be a successful photographer. My parents let me learn their business firsthand, let me take photography classes, and encouraged me to grow as a person and in my craft.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Being a homeschooled kid gave me the opportunity to graduate a year early to start my first business by the time I was `17 years old. My dad being an entrepreneur advised me to start off the right way with licensing and starting an online program. In my 14 years of being an entrepreneur, I have since opened seven successful businesses and closed two of them. I solely believe in community over competition. I believe there is enough room for everyone, even in the same businesses. I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career if it wasn’t for my parents that guided me by example. If it wasn’t for fellow entrepreneurs that mentored me along the way. I now own four businesses as a photographer, business coach, nonprofit owner, nano influencer, and public speaker. In everything I do I want to make a difference to help others.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I live by “be a flipping good human.” I started my first business in 2008. From the very start, I knew I didn’t want to be one of those people that cut others down in order to make it to the top. I set out to prove that you can be a flipping good human, help others along the way and still be successful. I stand by that and live by it.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I am a serial entrepreneur and a single mom of two little girls. You would think I already had my hands full…yet after I experienced my stillbirth in 2020 I knew I wanted to make a difference with that experience. Everyone around you wants to help, but they don’t know how. I came up with the idea to start AstirFreya after my own losses. Opening AstirFreya helped me heal by helping others. I knew that it needed to exist. Some days it was hard being so close to this project (business) so I brought on Megan Albro (fellow angel mom) to help me run AstirFreya. We send care kits to mothers after they’ve experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. We have an online shop where up to 70% of proceeds go to funding these care kits.
Contact Info:
- Website: DebOliviara.com FemProSociety.com SnapStudioGR.com AstirFreya.com
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087162265886 https://www.facebook.com/FemProBusinessSociety https://www.facebook.com/AstirFreya
Image Credits
FemPro Business Society Aly Mae