Angelina Eva Grmusa shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Angelina Eva, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Something I’m really proud of is building businesses that I’ve been able to live off full-time. And I say “businesses” because I’m now working on my second one alongside my art business. I think a lot of people don’t view small businesses as “successful” unless they’re making millions or have chains across the country — but what often gets overlooked is the amount of time, effort, and passion it takes to run one successfully as a solo founder.
My first business, Evange Boutique, started in the art world and really sparked my love for working for myself. It taught me the joy of creating something from scratch, the freedom of not doing the typical 9–5, and the excitement of seeing my own work take off. For me, the opportunities and sales that came from that business were huge — especially considering I started it so young. It gave me so much confidence and motivation to keep going.
That experience lit a fire in me, and now, alongside my art business, I’ve launched a second business under the Evange name – Evange Fitness, with a focus on Martial Arts and all things fitness! It feels like I’m reliving that same excitement all over again, but on a whole new level.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Heya, my name’s Angie! I’m a small business owner based in Australia, and I run the brand Evange, which actually covers two businesses — Evange Boutique and Evange Fitness.
Evange Boutique is my art business, but with a twist. I don’t do the usual landscapes or jewellery you’d typically see. Instead, I focus on everything weird, spooky, and a little bit different. My biggest seller is taxidermy — I work with bugs and critters, creating unique little worlds and dioramas for them. I also do 3D-printed creatures and designs, funky paintings of quirky monsters, crochet characters, and all sorts of odd creations.
Evange Fitness is my martial arts and fitness business — really the yin to my yang. I’ve always had a deep love for both art and fitness, so having both businesses gives me the perfect balance.
At Evange Fitness, we specialise in self-defence, Muay Thai, strength and conditioning, as well as mobility and flexibility training. We’re a gym that’s open to everyone — all ages, all abilities — with training that can be adapted to suit any fitness level or goal.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
For me, it’s less about a specific “who” and more about a “what.” I’ve had plenty of supportive people over the years who’ve given me guidance on running a business — and I’m really grateful for that — but I’ve found that most of my learning has come through experience, trial and error, and just figuring things out as I go.
Of course, having the right people around you plays a big role in shaping how you approach things, but I think the most valuable lessons often come from real-world experience. For example, with social media, you don’t really know what’s going to work until you experiment — posting lots of different content, trying different trends, and slowly seeing what clicks. The same goes for running an art business: things like stall setups, content direction, and knowing your audience all come with time and practice.
That said, the people in my life have been a huge help with the more behind-the-scenes side of things — like invoicing, taxes, insurance, and the legal basics of running a business. So, I’d say my journey has been a mix of both: real-world trial and error, backed up by solid advice and support from the people around me.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Honestly, and I think a lot of small business owners can relate to this, my biggest challenge has been the fear of failure — or the worry that the business might not go anywhere. Like any business, you go through quiet periods, busy periods, failed launches, and successful ones. The difference is that larger companies usually have the safety net of higher income or resources to fall back on, while small business owners working full-time don’t always have that luxury — and that can feel pretty scary.
But that fear has actually been one of my biggest teachers. It’s shown me the power of perseverance and the importance of pushing through, even during slow times when it feels like nothing’s happening. And even when things are going really well, that little fear is still there in the background — but instead of holding me back, it pushes me forward. It’s a reminder to keep going, keep growing, and not let the fear outweigh the drive that fuels the business.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, definitely.
At first, I thought I had to put on this “business persona” — always smiling, overly polished, almost cartoon-like. But I quickly realised that approach often puts people off more than it draws them in. Over time, I’ve learned it’s about striking the balance: yes, you need to carry yourself professionally in the way you dress, speak, and act, but it’s just as important to still feel like you.
For example, I naturally gravitate toward a darker wardrobe, so instead of forcing myself into pastels or bright colours, I make sure my style stays professional but still authentic to who I am. The same goes for how I speak — I avoid the pushy, over-the-top sales pitch and instead talk to people the way I’d talk to a friend, just with a professional tone.
I’ve found that when I show up as the most natural version of myself, people connect more easily. It makes me approachable and genuine, and clients are far more likely to engage with me rather than avoid me.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, I definitely could. I’m not really someone who needs constant praise — while it’s always nice to hear, what really motivates me is reaching targets, hitting goals, and actually seeing progress or change for myself.
Of course, client feedback is super important in a business setting, but I find I’m most driven when I can clearly see the results of my own effort. That progress shows me that all the time, energy, and hard work I’ve put in is paying off, and it reassures me that I’m moving in the right direction.
Client praise gives that affirmation, which is great, but it’s really the visible change and growth that fuels me the most to keep pushing forward.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Evange.Fitness & @Evange.Boutique
- Facebook: @Evange Fitness & @Evange Boutique
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
All images supplied by Evange Fitness and Evange Boutique.
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