Meet Ahna Abuvala | Founder & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ahna Abuvala and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ahna, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
The most pivotal decision, besides embarking on the journey of self-employment, is embracing your worth and standing your ground with confidence. Understanding the value you bring to the table is key; it allows you to set fair prices for your services or products, ensuring you’re not selling yourself short. Equally important is establishing clear boundaries—defining what you’re willing to take on and when, safeguarding your well-being and work-life balance. Learning to say no, graciously but firmly, is another crucial skill. It’s about prioritizing opportunities that align with your goals and values, even if it means turning down others. By knowing your worth, setting boundaries, and confidently saying no when needed, you pave the way for success on your terms, fostering a fulfilling and sustainable business.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Absolutely! At Olive & Bee Creative, we’re passionate about crafting unique marketing experiences for luxury brands in the digital space. What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity and meaningful connections. Drawing from my background in event production, hospitality, and digital marketing, I founded Olive & Bee with a vision to create a welcoming environment where collaboration thrives. Our approach to marketing goes beyond promotion; we believe in forging genuine relationships between brands and their audiences.

The journey to where we are today hasn’t been without its challenges. Starting a business without financial investors or partners posed initial hurdles, but with determination and the unwavering support of my family and friends, I overcame those obstacles. The lessons learned along the way have been invaluable— from understanding the importance of knowing your worth and setting boundaries to the power of building a supportive network. These experiences have shaped our ethos and approach to business.

My mission is to curate a digital haven, a space where ideas thrive, connections flourish, and dreams are nurtured. I allow for a space where brands can reveal their unique personality to the world. Olive & Bee develops unique marketing experiences, brand strategy, and website design for a variety of clients. Our current clients are restaurants, interior designers, florists, caterers, wedding & event planners, retailers, health and wellness, and champagne importers.

You’ll find that Olive & Bee often partners with brands that we are passionate about ourselves. I could never see myself working with a brand that I didn’t align with because I would never want to showcase something I wasn’t obsessed with. I genuinely adore the clients I work with, fully support their businesses, and truly love watching their brands evolve.

Something I pride myself on is how quickly I can dissect a brand a learn its brand voice. My favorite experiences with clients are ones where they originally hired me for branding and website design and then chose to continue the partnership with digital marketing since they love the work we’ve built together.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family has been instrumental in shaping my entrepreneurial journey, serving as a constant source of inspiration and encouragement to venture out on my own. Growing up, I witnessed my parents tirelessly building their empire while gracefully balancing the responsibilities of raising a family. Their dedication and resilience set a powerful example for me. Moreover, both of my brothers are entrepreneurs themselves, exemplifying the rewards of hard work and determination from a young age.

Additionally, I’m fortunate to have an incredible circle of girlfriends who are also small business owners. Our shared experiences have made for enriching coffee dates, phone calls, and text exchanges focused on everything from brainstorming new ideas in our individual fields to navigating business challenges. Their support and camaraderie have been invaluable on this journey, making entrepreneurship feel not only rewarding but also deeply connected and collaborative.

Website: oliveandbeecreative.com

Instagram: @oliveandbeecreative

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahna-abuvala/

Image Credits
jessica steddom photography