We recently had the chance to connect with Olivia and have shared our conversation below.
Olivia, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
It is important to me that my days begin early, so that I can try to get ahead before my kids wake up – whether that be by meal prepping, home maintenance, DIY’s or crafts for the kids, or working on my small business. Once they are awake and set up to eat, we eat breakfast together and clean up the kitchen. Throughout the day they will have their art time, play times, and nap, while I use free time in between to continue working on my objectives from earlier in the day until dinner. After we eat, we all go to the park or trail to walk and play, and finish the evening by getting ready for bed. Once the kids fall asleep, we continue working on activities from throughout the day until eventually heading to bed as well. Depending on whether I have events or orders to prepare for, the days’ objectives may change!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Olivia. I started Twisted about a year ago, and I specialize in dipping fruits in chocolate and infusing them with liquor/liqueurs! I make gift boxes filled with these fruits for birthdays, gatherings, or any event, as well as markets around the city. My history with these sweet gift boxes goes back when I was in high school as an employee at Edible Arrangements. There, I learned the ins-and-outs to creating the popular treat boxes, and although I was only there for short time before I left for college and did not keep it up for a few years, I would make boxes occasionally for close friends when I felt like doing so. Also during this time, I picked up bartending and continued that for a couple of years until I was about 7 months pregnant with my first. Around the time I started Twisted, I began making the fruit boxes on a more regular basis, but this time, using some knowledge I learned from my time bartending, I began infusing my treats and “twisting” them up. My husband helps me in any way he can (especially as my #1 taste-tester), and together we attend the Houston markets often and have had great feedback from those who have tried them! Although this is my specialty, I do offer non-infused fruits as well along with other chocolate-covered snacks and treats.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I credit my husband for this. He has seen me at my worst, and over the years he has brought out the best in me so that I could not only learn to love and take care of myself, but to translate that to our children, as well as my small business I would later start. Since those times he has told me that he always saw more in me that was tough for me to realize at the time, and I think that he really motivated me to push through many challenging points. Along with being by my side during difficult moments, he has been there when I was able to succeed in bringing myself back up. He is my biggest supporter and one of the main reasons why I am determined to try my best in anything I put my mind to.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell myself that I can do anything I set my mind to, and that the only one in the way of my goals is myself. If I focused less on what others thought of me and set my mind straight early on what I wanted to do, I believe it would have created a stronger and more independent mindset for myself at a younger age. Whether it be dressing a certain way or hopping on a trend while in school, or pretending to have traits a more “likeable” person would have, or sticking up for what I knew was right, I wish I would have known that the negative opinions of others do not and should not impact what I thought I should do.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire those that are able to remain humble while being successful. Although there is nothing wrong with treating yourself with your hard-earned money, I do admire those who do not feel the constant need to brag about or flaunt their wealth. I also think highly of those who have proven others wrong by being able to stay true to themselves and finding peace and happiness in doing so.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people who know me talk about how I was always determined to “do the most” but also put out my best. I am not someone who is known to take easy ways out, and I value other priorities more than my own convenience. This plays into how I am as a mom, wife, and as someone who runs a small business. I am always trying to stay as efficient as I can, squeezing simple tasks in between the big ones, even if it means I am moving around all day and juggling multiple tasks. I take breaks when I know I need them but I find that staying busy and having things to do, especially when productive, make me feel good and like I have done the best I could for that day. It is a trait I have that I am proud of and would like others to know about me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @twistedhtx
- Facebook: Twisted HTX
