We were lucky to catch up with Oliwia Biela – Szczekot recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Oliwia , thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea of starting to create and showcase Art was born in 2014 when I was living in Hamburg , Germany where I was raised . ( Born in Poland ) . “The Kunsthaus an der Alster “ Gallery has offered me a wonderful art show followed by group shows and satisfying sales. Viewers started feeling an affinity to my abstract paintings . One of the buyers described that he saw my painting in one of his hypnosis sessions and when walked into the gallery he recognized it . The name of that piece was “ saint Michael “ As I have started to awaken my inner child and following the flow of life my heart was pulling me to New York City. Advised by my manager at that time, that it would not be time yet to try exhibiting my art work in the USA due my short career, I took this as a challenge . Traveled to New York City in 2015, visited about 20 galleries and art openings and found the one to apply to . Agora gallery was not only very professional but outstanding helpful with marketing, presentation and the team was very helpful. We agreed on a second show after the first was successful. While my art was exhibited, a photoshoot for the German magazine “ Traffic “ .
Many art shows Followed after in Europe and the United States. As I have gotten into the art industry, I did meet my mentor , fashion and style director Jospeh DeAcetis who hired me for assistance on production of photoshoots for. Forbes articles and fashion shows. I was able to create my own marketing company and help brands and individuals to get efficient press and brand awareness. My company oliwia Biela PR ( Oliwiabiela.com was growing every year.
The work in marketing and different individuals from all kind of industries and part of the world , combined with my creative mind created “ The Pink Dog “
A hip brand that represents everything I stand for . Here is how it happened:
I was already brainstorming how to express what I feel I. My paintings. The abstraction was not Enough at this point – I needed a medium, an object or something to start off with . As I feel unconditional love for animal and plants, in the believe that we all can make this planet better by doing something small if we can’t do much right now. This can be adopting an animal from a shelter or someone who can’t deliver the care it needs.
So I have painted a dog , a pink dog as I would like him to represent that color – and the looks don’t matter .
What matters is the character of the animal . Pick it out because you like its vibes and once you adopt him it will gift you with loyalty until its journey on this planet is over . In your mind that dog will become it can become anything. So many support puppy mills for the cute looks of the new born dogs or cats but that looks will fade soon.
Listen ti your gut/ heart and SEE the soul while choosing your avatar. The same applies for humans ! It’s all about our heart and soul not about our looks, gender,Nationality , religion or status .The color pink stands for love , happiness and healing . It’s knows that especially dogs are considered out mirror . Adopting a dog and rescuing it can be a new chapter in everyone’s life and can help you heal emotionally and physically as the animal needs Daily exercise . Therefor , I did paint it he pink dog on a golden skateboard. Your dog can become your best friend and do the things you live BUT the skateboard is also a sign for trying new things. For instance – I did never try skateboarding- I even thought it’s not very appealing to me at all. Until I met my husband. His struggle with abusing substances and the addiction gave me a new perspective on skateboarding. Any hobby was helpful to get his mind of it . We started skateboarding together on the streets on Panama City beach in Florida with and without our dogs.
So The pink dog sits on a skateboard and smokes a hemp jay. Not only bc it’s cool but also because it helps him to relax and stay away from alcohol and drugs .
Hemp has been around for centuries and it’s healing properties are well know.
What is also well known is the fentanyl pandemic that is killing so many people every day. The pink dog wants to remind us of that and say “ hi , love yourself , be loyal to yourself and others ,treat yourself with something good and health “ you can change your life today . Adopt a pet it will give you a purpose, start a new hobby to stay busy and grow and replace bad habits with herbs and good nutrition. That’s the message and purpose of the pink dog .
We have started t shirt and hat prints that you will find in the images .
pinkdogart.com
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I would say that my grandparents Jan and Lucia had a major impact on my development. They have helped raising me until they have past a few years ago. My grandfather and his family were world war 2 survivors. My grandfather had experienced how nazis invaded his home town and burned the majority of them alive while drinking shots of liquor and listing to music like is a party as they did to many Slavs . This happens in his front yard in Michniow Poland .on July 12 and 13th 1943.The reason that my grandfather , his older brother and his mother survived was , because one of the soldiers that suppose to check their house – made them leave and told the other soldiers that no one was in there so that my grandfather and his family could escape and hide. They saw how their family and friends got burned alive by the Nazis and had to hide for days in the woods. My grandfather wasn’t able to smell smoke for years it would make him instantly sick . My grandfathers father was taken to work as a slave for 2 years but came back in 1946 and reported that he was treated ok.
However my grandfather nor my grandmother felt hate towards Germans and tough me to remember but to forgive.
Beside of The Pink Dog, I did start writing and contributing to the entrepreneur magazine.
https://www.entrepreneur.com/author/oliwia-szczekot
But to be able to express my opinion and talk about other brands I did start my own blog “ How to get the bubbles “
The meaning of how to get the bubbles is how to become that person that gets the bubbles = the champagne or get to the invite only events in New York City where you get the free champagne or how to become successful. However Success is happiness and it seems that’s what everyone is seeking. Even the richest people I know , who have or had everything were still trying to find happiness .
So how to get the bubbles – is a guide to different ways of wellness- happiness .
https://howtogetthebubbles.com/f/the-best-gifts-for-the-perfect-valentines-day?fbclid=PAAaby1qK8jHOICIT3F39mGInL_KGpD6RATjVjOzruDWZTOo0Z9LXpj2BYmFs
How did you build your audience on social media?
I think it’s important to decide first what it is that you are going to share on your social media . If it’s you – you are the brand . What makes you special and what is it that will make your viewers feel more interested in your blog or events. Consistency is key. Make a plan and collect good images in a separate folder . Don’t post everything at the same time so that you have something to work with on days that “ nothing is happening “. Try to look at your Profil from a different perspective. Look at other profiles and learn ! Don’t give up ! Keep going !
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I have learned to unattached from outcomes. It’s quite impossible to get the result you want the exact way . It’s way easier to go with the flow and make the best out of the situation. It might be for the best . If this won’t work out – the universe has something better for you . Every person in our life and every event happens for a reason that might not make sense to us at the time but it will later .
Contact Info:
- Website: Oliwiabiela.com
- Instagram: Oliwia_szczekot
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliwia-s-59326811b
- Other: https://howtogetthebubbles.com/ https://www.pinkdogart.com/?fbclid=PAAaYUYde5Xfitm1AuTS9RDEdosWJN4pPFg34y71OrT9qjUV4psdeYzqdFjBM
Image Credits
Cody Szczekot and Oliwia Biela – Szczekot (Founder )wearing The Pink Dog shirt Photographer Alex Korolkovas @korolkovas