Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Crabtree.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
moved to San Diego from Indiana in 2014 to start a new chapter in my career at a technology company, where I primarily focused on selling into QUALCOMM. That experience came with both opportunities and challenges, shortly after I started, QUALCOMM went through a large layoff in 2016, which really tested my resilience. From there, I joined TIG, a San Diego-based technology company, where I was able to sharpen my skills and grow within the IT reseller space before moving on to another technology reseller,SHI, which is the US largest female minority owned business, to expand my career further.
In late 2024, I took a leap into entrepreneurship and joined a network marketing business I’ve since built a team of independent beauty consultants around Olive Tree People, a wellness and skincare brand that aligns closely with my passion for holistic health. That’s been a very rewarding part of my journey because it allows me to combine leadership and improving my health with building community.
Outside of work, in 2021 I got engaged, and not long after, my fiancé and I partnered with some friends to purchase a bar in Pacific Beach called Riptides. It’s been such a fun venture, blending my business background with something that’s really a part of the community I live in.
Looking back, I never would have imagined 10 years ago that I’d have such a strong network, both professionally and personally. Each step in my journey, whether in technology, wellness, or hospitality has been about growth, building relationships, and taking chances that lead to new opportunities
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I first moved to San Diego from the Midwest, I quickly realized this market was a whole new world. While the people here have always been warm and welcoming and making adult friendships came easier than I expected, building my career was a very different story.
In the early days, I struggled with finding trusted customers, building genuine partnerships, and creating a reliable network in a city that felt so different from where I came from. It was humbling, and at times frustrating, to start over in a place where I didn’t yet have deep professional roots.
But those challenges also shaped me. They taught me how to build trust in a new market, how to nurture authentic connections, and how to create opportunity where none existed before. Looking back now, I can see how those struggles became the foundation for the strong professional and personal network I have today.
And of course, I’ve become an expert on the San Diego studio apartment market along the way. 😉
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today, my focus is on growing my wellness brand with Oliveda. What began as a side passion has grown into a team of independent beauty and wellness consultants who are just as excited as I am about holistic health and clean beauty. I specialize in helping womn, especially those over 40, discover skincare and wellness routines that not only transform their skin but also empower them to feel confident and radiant from the inside out.
What I’m most proud of is the community that’s formed around this work. It’s more than skincare, it’s mentorship, connection, and helping other women create additional streams of income while finding confidence in themselves. Seeing my team members hit milestones, grow as leaders, and believe in their potential is incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart is that I bring a mix of resilience from my career in technology sales and heart from my passion for wellness. Moving from Indiana to San Diego wasn’t always easy, I had to start fresh in a new market, building trust and learning how to connect with people in an authentic way. But those challenges shaped me, and they gave me the drive to create something lasting here.
Looking back, I never would have imagined 10 years ago that I’d have such a strong professional and personal network in San Diego. Today, I’m not only building a business. I’m building a movement that helps people live more holistically, care for their skin and bodies, and feel connected to a greater purpose.
And when I’m not working with my team or hosting wellness events, you can usually find me at Riptides, the bar my fiancé and I co-own with some friends in Pacific Beach. It’s been such a fun way to stay connected to the local community, meet new people, and enjoy the vibrant lifestyle that makes San Diego feel like home.
Looking ahead, I see both my wellness brand and Riptides growing into thriving community hubs, spaces where people can come together, feel inspired, and leave better than when they arrived. Whether it’s through beauty and wellness or good conversation over a cocktail, my vision is to keep building spaces that empower, connect, and uplift others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’d say luck has played both good and bad roles in my journey. When I first moved to San Diego, the timing wasn’t great. started a job right before a big layoff and had to completely rebuild my network in a market that felt so different from the Midwest. At the time it felt like bad luck, but honestly, those challenges forced me to get creative and really grow.
On the other hand, I’ve had some amazing good luck too. I’ve met incredible people here, mentors, friends, business partners, who’ve shown up at just the right time. Even getting involved with Olive Tree People and later co-owning Riptides feels like one of those things where preparation met opportunity.
I don’t think luck tells the whole story, though. Luck might open a door, but it’s what you do with it that really matters. For me, it’s been about showing up, building real relationships, and being willing to take chances
Contact Info:
- Website: https://us.olivetreepeople.com/?referral=Jenniferacrabtree
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennicrabby
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.crabtree.330?
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercrabtree
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/crystellaphotography?igsh=MWRuNzlsdDU0YTZkMw==
