Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilene Kaplan.
Hi Ilene, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been mindful of the power words have. The words we hear throughout our lifetime have the ability to influence the people we become. Words may be small, but when positive and put together, they form the building blocks that lay the foundation to help us be the best version of ourselves.
And that is why, when my children were young, I would leave little notes in their lunch boxes. Not every day. Usually, just on those days that I thought they might need to hear some positive praise. Little pick-me-ups with messages of love and encouragement.
Well, those lunch-box days are long gone. And as the years passed, those paper love notes became text messages.
Entering college for the first time is a huge transition, but students starting college in 2020 met additional challenges due the pandemic; no in-person classes, no roommates, and the possibility of intense feelings of isolation. As my daughter prepared for her freshman year in college, I feared that she might feel lonely at times or doubt herself. I wanted her to always know that “she’s got this,” can be anything she wants to be and that I will always be in her corner cheering her on. Thinking about how to deliver this message and trying to avoid bombarding her with text messages, I thought about her daily routine of grabbing a hair tie. Like so many women and girls with long hair, I too, never leave home without a hair tie on my wrist. I refer to it as the “just in case” hair tie. The hair tie you put on your wrist just in case you may need to put your hair up. But more often than not, it just winds up being an elastic on your wrist.
So, I went on a search to find a hair tie to which I could add a message. I had a vision of what I thought it would look like, but after exhausting Google, I came up empty-handed. Having been in the accessory business for several years, I decided to create it myself. Sure, I could have had a bracelet engraved, but I loved the idea of a bracelet that was also functional and fashionable. It’s amazing how a search for a small gift for my daughter led me to creating a new brand.
Olive Lou bracelet~hair ties are designed to empower women & girls; functional when worn as a daily hair tie yet fashionable when worn as a bracelet. Olive Lou’s bracelet~hair ties are engraved with positive messages that encourage happiness and confidence. Words have power and so do the women & girls who wear them.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning a small business always comes with challenges, but I guess my biggest challenge is keeping up with social media. The ever-changing algorithms make my head spin. Just when I think I’ve figured things out, they change. I’ve also learned to be mindful of the amount of time I spend on social media.
Probably the most important lesson I have learned is that I cannot be an expert in every aspect of my business. Being aware of my budget, I try to do most things myself. But there comes a time when I have to accept that a particular task is outside of my wheelhouse, and I need to place value on my time and call an expert.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I chose the name Olive Lou because, as you say “Olive Lou”, it looks like you are saying “I love you.” “I love you” is the affirmation that we hear and understand at a very young age. Three little words that mean so much. This one sentence has the ability to lift you up on the darkest of days and provide you with confidence when you need it the most. Five years ago, my beautiful mother was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia/Frontotemporal Degeneration. The frontal lobe and/or temporal lobes are the part of the brain that are responsible for language and understanding. In my mother’s case, she has gradually lost her ability to form words and sentences. At the time of starting Olive Lou, she was still able to call me daily and say, “I love you.” Sadly, I knew it would only be a matter of time that the phone calls would stop, as would the “I love yous.”
Unfortunately, there is no cure for FTD. I just hope and pray that one is found soon enough to help someone else’s mother. In honor of my mother, Olive Lou donates the proceeds from my “Always remember that you are loved” collection to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Not only does Olive Lou recognize the importance of helping to encourage one’s self image, we also believe in the value of social responsibility. Since launching in June of 2021, we have participated in fundraisers with several organizations. In addition to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, we have contributed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Sharsheret, Inc., the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and YourMomCares Org.
Our catalog of bracelet~hair ties include 3-pack collections and singles. In addition, we offer custom party favors and private label. We are always adding new quotes and plan on adding more colors in the very near future. Our presence in stores is growing, but you can always find us at www.Olivelouco.com.
Pricing:
- 3-pack collection – $28.00
- singles – $10.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.olivelouco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olive.lou.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OliveLouCo
