Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Olson
Hi Megan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I was nine years old, I watched my parents create a handmade apparel line and build it into a successful business. They worked out of our home and created pieces day and night to fulfill orders. They taught me the importance of providing customers with a quality, affordable product that you can stand by, which is something I wanted to emulate in my career.
After working twelve years in visual merchandising and retail management, I noticed a lack of variety in quality, affordable and versatile jewelry. I always knew what I was looking for, but had a hard time finding it. I am petite and many pieces were overwhelming and uncomfortable to wear. I started out designing and making some pieces for myself, then as gifts for friends and family. I fell in love with the process of creating designs and building them into a finished product. I even started having dreams about designs. I would wake up in the middle of the night to quickly write down my ideas, so I would not forget them in the morning. It was during this time that I realized I had a passion for designing and making jewelry and decided to pursue it as a business.
When I told my husband that I wanted to start a jewelry brand, he said, “I love it! Go for it!” His enthusiasm and encouragement helped me gain the confidence I needed to put myself and my product out there. So, I did. Once I started, I knew it was the best decision for me. I am able to use my creative side on a daily basis, while implementing the customer service and management skills I learned in my previous work experience. Of course, owning a small business has its ups and downs, but I would not want to be doing anything else.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some days are smooth, some days, I just want to crawl back into bed and start over tomorrow! I think the hardest part is learning to not be so hard on yourself if things do not go as planned. Owning your own business means that your name is on EVERYTHING and you never get to clock-out and forget about work for the night or weekend. Over the years, I have learned that success will not just appear on my doorstep. On hard days I have to remind myself to stay positive and keep moving forward.
That would also be my advice for anyone who is just starting out. It would be easy when things get tough to just throw your hands up and quit. The hard part is moving forward and continuing to try new things. If one thing does not work, that’s okay! Tomorrow you can try it a different way.
It is also very important to not focus so much on comparing yourself to others. This is something that was very hard for me in the beginning, especially with social media. I do not believe that other jewelry brands are my “competition” or “rivals”. I think there is something out there for everyone. If one person does not like what I put out there, hopefully the next person will. It is important to support others in your field and encourage their successes as well as your own. There is room for everyone here!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Noli is a contemporary brand of handcrafted and curated jewelry and accessories. My goal is to always provide quality, versatile styles that can be worn every day, any season. Noli pieces are inspired by California style: effortless, carefree and modern.
We have two jewelry lines: Demi-Fine and FINE. The Demi-fine line is a collection of both hand-made and curated pieces made with high-quality materials, including 14k gold-filled and sterling silver. These metals are long-lasting and usually non-irritating for those with sensitive skin. I love to incorporate colorful gemstones and mixed textures in these pieces, making them fun and unique.
The FINE collection is made up of dainty, timeless solid 14k gold pieces that I have personally curated and customized. This collection is fairly new to the brand and I am very passionate about it. All pieces are made of solid 14k gold and lab-grown, ethically made stones, including diamond, emerald and sapphire.
As a business owner, I am most proud of the quality and service I give to my customers. If I create or curate a piece for my customers and I do not feel that it meets my quality standards, I will not offer it. I will only offer products that I would wear myself. I want my customers to be 100% happy with their purchase and experience. If something is not right, I will always do my best to fix it.
Something that has always been important to me is animal rescue. Since I opened my business in 2015, a percentage of every item sold has been and will continue to be donated to animal rescue organizations. Each year I choose a different organization to support. When you choose to buy from Noli, you are not only supporting a small business, but also animal rescue efforts. Jewelry that makes you look good AND feel good.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something most people do not know about me is that before I started my brand, I worked at an animal rescue center. I started out cleaning kennels, then helped finalize adoptions, until finally I was a temperament tester. This means I traveled to animal shelters (mostly high-kill) between California and Arizona to choose animals to save and bring back to the center. This job was both very emotionally draining and incredibly fulfilling. I learned so much and developed a huge passion for rescue. This is a big reason why I choose to donate a portion of all sales. Plus, I have two rescue dogs of my own and they are the best!
Pricing:
- Demi-Fine ranges from $18 to $298
- FINE ranges from $85 to $515
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nolicalifornia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolicalifornia
Image Credits
Claire Planeta Photography
