We recently connected with Olivia Zugay and have shared our conversation below.

Olivia, appreciate you joining us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

Since starting my business in 2021, it’s still just me running the show. There have definitely been moments when I thought about hiring support—whether for admin tasks or marketing—but I realized I wasn’t quite ready. Before I could confidently bring someone on, I needed to better understand and organize my business in a way that made sense to scale.

That meant working through a lot of doubt, frustration, and mental exhaustion. More than once, I even applied for 9-to-5 jobs, thinking it might be easier. I landed a few interviews, but nothing ever felt right. Deep down, I knew I wasn’t willing to give up the freedom and flexibility I’d found in working for myself.

So I kept going. I found clients, built a reputation in the book world, and celebrated small wins—but I still wasn’t hitting the income I wanted. At the start of 2024, I knew something needed to shift. I started looking for support and ended up joining the Scale With Purpose program by the Bucketlist Bombshells. (Fitting, since Cassie and Shay’s courses were the reason I started my business in the first place!)

Their coaching was helpful, but more than anything, the community I found there changed everything. Having a network of other women building businesses—and seeing what’s possible—helped me grow my confidence and find my voice in the book space.

Since then, I’ve been a guest on multiple podcasts, hosted workshops, and attended more conferences and networking events than I can count. That visibility and belief in myself is what finally moved the needle—and led to a 212% increase in annual profit.

But what I’ve learned along the way is this: scaling only works if it’s aligned with your energy, values, and goals. I love the work I do, but I’m currently at capacity. So my next move? Launching a membership that allows me to support more authors in a way that feels sustainable—for both me and them.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned about growth are that it takes time, and it happens when you’re ready. Scaling a business doesn’t just take hustle. It takes vision, support, and a strong sense of purpose.

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.

Hi, I’m Olivia. I work with authors to help them publish with confidence, build lasting brands, and grow sustainable book businesses—without burnout. My work blends planning, strategy, and support across the entire author journey.

I didn’t always know this would be my path. After college, I landed a job I thought I wanted… and quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I went through a bit of a quarter-life crisis and ended up back at my hometown library—a space I’d loved since I was a kid. It reminded me how much I loved books and conversations about them, and that’s where things started to shift.

I began freelance editing and eventually launched a virtual assistant business focused on authors and publishing professionals. Over time, I learned what it takes to succeed as an author—not just from the creative side, but from the marketing, business, and mindset angles too. I also became really familiar with the pros and cons of each publishing path: traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing.

As I worked with more clients, I realized I was offering more than task support. I was helping them make big decisions, build long-term plans, and find clarity in a very overwhelming industry. I stepped into the role of strategist and coach—someone who could zoom out, connect the dots, and help authors grow in a way that aligned with their goals, energy, and values.

Now, I offer strategic support for authors in a few different ways: through my 1:1 services, through project-based work like launch planning and platform audits, and through my monthly membership, the Story Flow Collective. Everything I offer is designed to support authors holistically—whether they’re publishing their first book or scaling their author business to full-time income.

What makes my work different is that it’s deeply personal. I’m not here to give one-size-fits-all answers or pressure anyone into a certain path. I’m here to ask the right questions, listen closely, and help authors find the clarity, support, and next steps they need. I also believe in making this kind of help accessible. Publishing can feel really overwhelming, and my goal is to make it feel a little more doable and a lot more enjoyable.

At the end of the day, I love what I do. I love helping people bring their books into the world and build careers they’re proud of. I believe your story matters, and I’m here to help you share it—with clarity, confidence, and a plan.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn? That there’s a “right” way to run a business.

When I first started, I consumed every bit of advice I could find—podcasts, courses, templates, you name it. I thought if I just followed the steps the experts laid out, I’d be successful. But the more I tried to follow generic strategies or push myself to do things that didn’t feel aligned, the more frustrated and stuck I felt.

Eventually, I realized that what works for someone else might not work for me—and that’s okay. I had to unlearn a lot of what I thought I “should” be doing in order to build a business that actually fit me: my values, my energy, and my goals.

That unlearning process was uncomfortable at times, but also really freeing. It helped me trust my instincts more and build something that felt meaningful—not just profitable. I’ve found that there’s no one-size-fits-all way to grow. You get to define success for yourself, and your business gets to reflect who you are and what you care about. For me, that’s helping authors feel clear, confident, and supported at every stage of their journey.

It’s still a work in progress, but I wouldn’t trade the lessons for anything.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Pivoting has been a constant in my life and career—sometimes out of necessity, sometimes from intuition. Early on, I felt a lot of shame around how often I changed jobs, even though deep down I was proud of myself for leaving situations that didn’t align with who I was or what I wanted. I just hadn’t found the right fit yet.

Eventually, that winding path led me to start my own business. And even that has evolved over time. Last year, I gave myself a promotion—from offering virtual assistant services to stepping fully into my role as a business and marketing coach for authors. It was a big shift, but also a natural one. I had built up years of experience and realized I could have a bigger impact by sharing what I know, helping more authors grow sustainable careers, and building a stronger ecosystem between writers and service providers.

Most recently, I’ve pivoted again—from focusing on 1:1 services to launching a membership. It’s been a really thoughtful move, rooted in both my desire to serve more authors affordably and sustainably, and my own energy as an introvert. I still love 1:1 work, but I knew I needed a structure that gave me more breathing room while still creating deep value. And already, that change has brought more ease, joy, and impact to my life and business.

Each pivot has brought me closer to the kind of work—and life—that feels aligned. And I’ve learned that trusting yourself, even when the path feels uncertain, can lead to really beautiful things.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.storyflowsolutions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyflowsolutions/

Image Credits

Nicole Leiner Photography