Vincentian fashion designer and entrepreneur Christal Oliver loves to create.

She started her business, Olive Art Designs, in 2009, when she couldn’t find a bag for an event and decided to make her own. Following lots of compliments from friends and family, she bought a Singer sewing machine and has been making fashion accessories ever since.

Over 10 years later, Olive Art Designs is still going strong. The brand is well recognised and has developed a reputation for exceptional attention to detail and first-class quality.

Yello asked Christal to tell us more about how and why she started Olive Art Designs. She also gave us some insight into her life in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Describe yourself using three words.

Creative, industrious and witty.

Please tell us about your background.

Apart from business and recreational travel abroad, I’ve spent all of my life in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I’ve lived in the community of Glen for just over half of my life, and Cane Garden and Golden Vale for the rest.

Like many Caribbean people, I was raised by my entire family and that is something I will forever be grateful for having experienced. I’m the second of three children for my mother and the only daughter; being the middle child between two boys is very interesting!

I spent five years at the St. Vincent Girls’ High School and graduated third locally for CSEC results, which was a proud moment for a girl who always had a needle in her hand but also loved sciences dearly.

I really enjoyed being outdoors during my not so distant younger days, and to this day, it’s still a pleasure of mine. I also enjoyed sewing and craft, and today I am proud to say that I’ve found a way to turn my passion into income and opportunities.

I’m very outgoing and curious. I currently work as a radio personality at Xtreme FM, co-hosting the morning shift, where we talk about local, regional and international topical issues.

I have worked as a customer service representative at a local bank, and as a laboratory technician at my alma mater. Those two experiences were impactful in my present career as an entrepreneur and fashion designer.

When did you become interested in fashion / making accessories?

I’ve always been making something; a bracelet, playing with beads, hand sewing some random project, and working on a craft. It was always one of my favourite subjects and most probably the homework I’d always complete first.

You could say I’ve been interested in the field from birth, but it was only in 2010, I decided to identify fashion as an interest and focus on accessories.

Did you always want to be an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurship was nowhere in my mind. In fact, I wanted to become several things with paediatrician being number one, then that changed to a chef a few years later.

But, creating things with my hands, my God-given talent, and my interest in the creative field never faded.

An opportunity arose out of boredom after which I made a small investment into a domestic Singer sewing machine. I believe wholeheartedly that entrepreneurship chose me!

When did you decide to launch your business Olive Art Designs?

In the last quarter of 2009, I was working as a lab tech at my alma mater. During the downtime, because I couldn’t find any bag in Kingstown for a particular event that suited my needs and taste, I decided to just purchase all the material and make the bag myself.

The finished product was loved by many, and it got me thinking. I purchased my very first sewing machine and started experimenting, and it’s been growing ever since.

I had the most challenging time coming up with a name. The beginning wasn’t grand at all. I just started practicing, experimenting with fabrics and designs, ripping apart my existing bags to figure a few things out, reading, researching and then selling the finished products to friends and family.

How do you come up with your designs? Where do you get inspiration?

There are three ways. Sometimes, designs hit me in my head, and I do a little doodling and then go in search of fabric.

Other times, it’s the fabric that inspires me.

Lastly, I bring other people’s simple ideas to life. For example, if a customer wants a bag that’s blue, orange and brown, I look at what I have and design as I go – I let my hands and mistakes guide me.

What makes Olive Art Designs different from similar businesses? What’s your unique selling point?

Olive Art Designs prides itself on quality. The brand has developed over the years and become known for its superior design and quality handbags that last a very long time.

Often, I’m approached by customers who still have, and use, bags that I made seven, eight, nine and even 10 years ago.

How do you plan to grow the business?

The objective is to think outside the box in coming up with strategic marketing plans that will use all social, physical and virtual avenues available.

There are no limits!

My focus is also heavily on branding, which will contribute to growth.

Which local / regional / international designers and entrepreneurs inspire you?

Mainly I’m inspired by regional designers because of the Caribbean appeal and the fact that we share similar stories.

The two at the top of my list are Kimon Baptiste-St. Rose of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Truffle Designs from the British Virgin Islands.

And you are also on the radio – please tell us more about that job.

I’m actually a radio host, but we can say radio personality. I read the news, announcements and co-host the morning programme from 6am to 10am at Xtreme 104.3FM. It’s a really fun but challenging job, and even though the shift is only four hours long, it’s packed with a lot of talk.

It affords me the opportunity to share my views, to understand our people more, to positively influence individuals and make an impact. It’s a really exciting job that creates a lot of opportunities for personal and professional growth.

What advice would you give budding Caribbean entrepreneurs?

Start. What are you waiting for? Do your research to make sure that you’re not duplicating an existing idea.

Businesses are risky. If you fail, remove yourself from the situation, and try to approach the business logically to find the best way forward.

Connect with other entrepreneurs, trust me you’re going to need their support!

Be passionate about what you’re doing, that’s the extra push you’re going to need when you feel like giving up.

Plan and put things on paper! Make a note of your goals and use that to measure your progress and success. Stay focused.

You can never go wrong with investing in equipment as well, but that’s dependent on the industry and your scalability. Sign up with your local business support organisation and take short courses if necessary, or take advantage of workshops, even if they look like they don’t apply to you, there’s always something to learn. Never stop learning.

Use every avenue for marketing that’s available. Be creative and keep moving forward. Very often, your mindset is the difference between success and failure, so be patient and persistent.

What do you love about St Vincent and the Grenadines?

Everything. The people, food, landscape, topography, culture, the beaches, waterfalls, music and Christmas. The fact that there are so many islands to explore as well, means there’s never a dull moment, and so much to do to enjoy the country.

My country isn’t as busy or fast-paced as some others, so you can really enjoy the true meaning of life and living in the Caribbean, being productive but fulfilled and balanced.

I can easily go outside and enjoy a coconut water or a fresh fruit. I love this place!

Many people pay a lot of money to have access to what I have access to, and most of it is free. That’s Hairouna, Land of the Blessed.

What do you like to do on your days off?

Days off sounds so foreign. I enjoy what I do so much that I find myself sewing or working on the business on a daily basis.

In my downtime, I like to go to the beach, or explore the island, watch a few movies or read, or just spend time in my garden planting vegetables.

If you could change one thing about St Vincent and the Grenadines, what would it be?

To change something about my country would mean I’m not satisfied with the place I call home.

We are a developing nation, and I think the way God made the islands is perfect for us. I wouldn’t change a thing!

Please tell us something only a few people know about you.

I have a serious weakness for ice-cream, specifically Frisko ice-cream in a waffle cone.

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You can find Christal Oliver’s fashion accessories online via:

Website – www.oliveartsvg.com  

Facebook – @oliveartsvg

Instagram – @oliveartsvg

Email – [email protected]