Meet Kris Oliver | Entrepreneur & Travel Enthusiast

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

Hi Kris, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
You always hear people say do what you love, that was the thought that essentially pushed me into starting my own business. I wanted to wake up and look forward to what I was going to be doing that day. If I was going to be up late or getting no sleep I wanted to be doing something I enjoyed. And when it’s something you love it makes it easier to do the not so fun things on the list as well. Starting my own business also came from the idea that I just wanted to work for myself. I wanted to have more control over my time, including who I spent it with. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, I was the kid with the lemonade stand, I was doing my friends nails in exchange for snacks and lunch money in middle school. So as an adult I just needed to determine what made the most sense for me and take the plunge.What should our readers know about your business?
My Sweet Olive Shoppe can be summed up in two words “Representation Matters.” My goal is to add more positive images of black and brown people into daily experiences. Especially for children, they need to see themselves and know that they have a voice and that they matter. This is so impactful for individuals but also for our community as a whole. I think one of the most encouraging mantras I’ve heard is “Just Start” I really try to use that as a focal point in my business. Sometimes all the obstacles or challenges can make it feel like you will never get there and so it holds you back from even starting the process. And of course if you never start you’ll never finish. Sometimes you have to start even without knowing all the answers and learn along the way. Along with that, I am a list person, I write everything down it helps me to stay on track. I’m sure many creatives can relate that there are so many ideas in your mind sometimes you just can’t focus. So writing things out helps me to create a tangible plan and reach my goals. It’s also a good way to see what I’ve accomplished and what areas need improvement. So with my lists in hand and the mental push to jump in, I’ve been able to see My Sweet Olive Shoppe grow into what it is today. My Shoppe has been open for 8 months and it is a lot of work, but I’m proud to say that I had an idea and it’s coming into fruition. A lot of people have dreams but never get around to execution. It has been a slow road to get to this point, I’ve made mistakes, but the progress I’ve made thus far has made it worth all the effort.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am new to the Dallas area so I’m not as versed in the best places yet. However, pre-Covid I was all about Brunch! I went to Stirr last year for my birthday great food and roof top views, so that would be on my itinerary. I follow Dallas Love List on TikTok, they have so many options from date nights to coffee shops and shopping too. That would probably be my resource to find other fun things to do.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?
Glory to God! I pray first before making moves so I know I’m being guided in the right direction. God definitely has his hand on this journey. My friends and family are everything! They support and encourage me and also give me feedback and criticism. I am always using them as my sounding board for new ideas and products. For this opportunity specifically I’d like to thank Jasmine Chapman. She is an entrepreneur as well so it’s energizing to have someone who is so positive in your corner. Plus, I admire her work ethic so it pushes me to challenge myself.

Website: sweetoliveshoppe.etsy.com

Instagram: sweetoliveshoppe

Facebook: Sweet Olive Shoppe

Image Credits
Charolette Denson