Olive + Page was born from a desire to help others make moments count. Aware of how quickly life passes by as a busy mum, Olivia Buys wants to promote presence, increase connection and enhance moments of joy in everyday life, whether that be through pausing to write in one of their beautiful journals, or connecting with little ones through their gorgeous children’s picture books. She wants to encourage mums to look around, connect with their little ones and stop to appreciate the extraordinary beauty in the simple, mundane moments of daily life. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind Olive + Page, how she balances work and family, and her hopes and dream for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
When I became a mother, everything changed. It was such a monumental shift that nothing could possibly prepare you for. I had never felt so content and utterly in love, yet I had also never been so easily agitated, exhausted, and at times, isolated. I had become very aware of the benefits of journaling in my 30s – and specifically, gratitude and affirmation practice – yet when I had a baby, wellbeing practices like this completely flew out the window.
I started to realise, however, that they were more important than ever before, because how I felt not only impacted on me, but it now directly affected my family and loved ones around me.
And so came the inspiration behind the joy journal – a gratitude, mindfulness, and self-care journal specifically for mothers. It is simple and uncomplicated – a daily ritual that takes less than five minutes – yet still has the potential to really shift mindsets and uplift a mother’s day. There is absolutely nothing like this out there in the marketplace that is tailored to motherhood, which makes it very exciting. My aim is to reach as many mothers as possible and help transform their days. There can be so much extraordinary beauty in the mundane, everyday little moments – yet often we don’t have the awareness to notice and appreciate what’s around us. This journal will help a mother do that.
Along the way I also wrote a few children’s picture books which are designed to spread the love to the little ones. Life is fast paced, and sometimes we forget to slow down and really connect with tour little ones. Reading is such an amazing opportunity to connect with children, as well as being beneficial for their learning of course. These books provide a platform to pause, connect, and share, and let them know just how truly special they are. Because what more do little ones need than to feel really loved as they grow into this big wide world?!
So then, Olive + Page was born – lovingly designed pages that help families make ordinary moments count.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I launched Olive + Page just a few months ago, on a tiny marketing budget, and having done almost all of the set-up myself. It was particularly challenging to juggle my little one at home full time, when I was in the midst of the set-up phase including photography and website set up! At times, I definitely felt like giving up and kept asking myself what on earth I was doing (like surely going back to my career would be easier and better for everyone?!). It felt like a lot of work for nothing in the beginning, and it also felt like it took a long time to get to launch date – designing all the content and interior of the journal, plus the time it took working with the artist on the books and designing the layout, getting samples, finding the right manufacturer, the website, photography, setting up a new company and accounts, etc.! It all takes time.
It is amazing to look back at how far you have come, all with little steps in the right direction. And while I might have had moments of self-doubt during the set-up phase, I don’t regret anything for a moment. Hearing the feedback from mothers about how the journal has helped them, and seeing the books go around the country to warm the hearts of parents and children everywhere has been the most amazing feeling in the world. I’m so grateful I was able to do this. And really, how could anything be the wrong way if you are following your passion and what’s in your heart?!
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Finding the right manufacturer for our products was the biggest challenge. It took months of researching, getting samples, and liaising with various parties to find a supplier that had high quality and sustainable practices, but also made it a feasible business model. It was imperative to me at the outset to have eco-friendly paper, and I had certain specifications for the journal – like gold embossed artwork, linen hardcovers, etc. – that needed to look and feel superior. Once I found the right manufacturer, there was no stopping Olive + Page!
