Olivia Edwards is the Co-Founder of Generation Social, a boutique digital marketing agency based on the Gold Coast that provides a holistic marketing approach to eCommerce brands.
Combining direct marketing, brand awareness, and customer retention, our approach to marketing ensures longevity while maintaining a return on investment month on month.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here we sit down with Olivia, to know a bit more about her journey as an eCommerce Marketing Expert.
Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Olivia: It may sound a little cliche but growing up with my mum and dad running their own businesses made me aspire to be like them. Dad always carried a briefcase to work and I wanted to walk into my own office with a briefcase one day too. I would bring random business ideas to the dinner table and we would talk through them and how I could make them work (this was anything from making chocolate to swimwear!). It was always a fun challenge, I still have the book with all the ideas somewhere!
Q. How did you get started?
Olivia: After studying Business, Communications and PR at university, I started in digital marketing, a little different from my PR degree but I was excited to learn and develop my skills in this space. I was given an amazing opportunity in various areas of the agency and found my love for content creation and organic social media.
I then moved back to the Gold Coast where I was at an agency in a management position, this showed me the more ‘business’ side of an agency and I learned a lot in this position as well.
From here it was a combination of perfect timing and an ‘it’s now or never’ moment. I’d been talking about the idea with my partner for a while and together we took the leap and started Generation Social!
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Olivia: Deciding to take the leap. Once the excitement, creativity, and seeing the pieces come together are complete, it’s actually taking that step that is the hardest part. Limiting beliefs and self-doubt can be extremely hard to overcome. You think about all of the ‘what ifs’ until you realise that you are the only person standing in your way. It really comes down to just doing it, believing that it will work, and having a passion that will drive you to succeed.
Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?
Olivia: Expanding our team was a huge moment, it lead us to redefine our services and give our clients a well-rounded strategy for growth. Since we are only about to be one year old, this was a big step that meant we could take the business to the next level. It was something I never considered when starting, so when the opportunity came along it was exciting and we are so proud of how far we have come, and what’s next.
Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?
Olivia: Atomic Habits by James Clear. This is a must read for everyone! The concept that habits are the compounding interest of self-improvement, getting 1 percent better every day counts for a lot in the long run.
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Olivia: I would say to inspire people to just do it! I took the leap because I wanted flexibility and control over my work, and ultimately because I wanted to be happy and excited to wake up and do what I love. If you’re not happy, make a change, you can do whatever you want.
Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Olivia: Don’t be afraid to pivot along the way, it’s a journey and you will learn a lot, know your vision and it will be what drives you.
To keep up to date with Olivia and her journey, connect with her on LinkedIn, and Instagram.
