Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Olivia Becker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Olivia, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome has been a constant challenge throughout my consulting career, but one that I learned to manage over time. In consulting, you continuously step into unfamiliar situations—new clients, new challenges, new teammates, and even new office spaces. It’s easy for self-doubt to creep in: “I don’t belong here,” “I don’t have enough experience,” “My opinions don’t matter.” These thoughts can be paralyzing, especially when you’re expected to deliver impactful results every week.
What helped me was understanding the distinction between where I needed to be an expert and where I didn’t. For instance, I had years of experience in organizational change, and that was where I was expected to add value. But I didn’t need to have decades of experience within that specific organization. I leaned into what I knew and approached the rest with curiosity. I asked leaders about their experiences and sought their insights to fill the gaps. Paradoxically, this curiosity enhanced my credibility and deepened the trust with my clients. I could remain confident in my expertise while learning from those with different backgrounds.
These lessons have carried over into my journey as an entrepreneur. I remind myself that I am the expert in my business because I’ve built it from the ground up. At the same time, I stay open to learning from others in areas where they hold expertise, always remaining curious and open-minded. This has allowed me to build meaningful connections that help me expand my impact while staying focused and confident in the knowledge I bring forward.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I grew up just outside of Seattle, WA, where I currently live with my husband, our four kids, and two dachshunds. My life changed when I first traveled to Italy after graduating high school, and since then, I’ve always been drawn back to the Mediterranean, both personally and professionally.
Early in my career, I worked for a maritime software and consulting company in La Spezia, Italy, where I discovered that collaborating with Italians is just as adventurous as dining with them! That experience inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology, focusing on how human behavior influences workplace performance. After years in management consulting, helping teams navigate transformation, I found myself craving a personal transformation. The pandemic gave me the time and space to reflect and dream about new possibilities.
That’s how Dalla Fonte was born. Having been raised in Italian-American families, both my husband and I grew up with Italian food, traditions, and stories ever-present in our lives. Each visit to Italy led to us finding creative ways to bring a little bit of Italy back home to share with friends and family. We’d stuff our suitcases full of little bites that we couldn’t find back at home. Dalla Fonte is our way of sharing these gems with a wider audience.
When I’m not at home with my family, I often find myself dreaming of sitting on the patio at my friend’s home in Trebiano, gazing out over the hills toward the Ligurian coast.
Today, Dalla Fonte has grown from a basic membership club to four key components: a quarterly membership club that surprises members with authentic, hard-to-find regional Italian specialties; an online shop featuring our favorite Italian staples and wines; an annual Producer Tour to Italy, where we introduce travelers to the artisans behind the products; and gifting partnerships with travel companies, television shows, and other businesses.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three traits that have been most helpful on my entrepreneurial journey are curiosity, self-confidence, and hustle. Curiosity drives me to find new ways of working, explore different avenues for growth, and solve problems creatively. As an entrepreneur, no two days are the same, and having that curiosity helps you keep pushing forward and embracing new challenges.
Self-confidence is equally important. Building a brand is hard, and there will be days when it feels overwhelming. The ability to believe in yourself, quickly move past mistakes, and be your own biggest cheerleader through the ups and downs is essential.
And then, of course, there’s hustle! You have to keep moving, seeking opportunities, and getting comfortable sharing your business with everyone you meet.
For anyone just starting out, my advice is to surround yourself with people who believe in you and want to see you succeed. Not everyone will understand your passion and drive—let those people go. Seek out those who lift you up, celebrate your wins, and support you through the challenges. For me, that person is my husband. He’s my partner in all things, and without his support, I wouldn’t be able to pursue my dreams.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I earned a Master’s Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology (which is a fancy way of saying the study of human behavior and its impact in the workplace). During my studies, we read Mindset by Carol Dweck, and it completely reshaped how I approach parenting, work, relationships, and, most importantly, how I view myself.
While “growth mindset” has become a bit of a buzzword, at its core, the shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset unlocks the potential in ourselves and others. Mastery requires practice, and in that process, there are no mistakes—only opportunities to learn.
Starting my business has been full of twists and turns. I’ve made mistakes, investments that didn’t pay off, and trusted people who didn’t have my best interests in mind. If I saw these setbacks as personal failures—believing that if I were only smarter, I’d have avoided them—I would have stopped my journey. Mindset teaches us that nothing is fixed. These roadblocks weren’t due to inherent traits; they were simply opportunities to learn and apply those lessons to the next step. And do it better when the next opportunity arises.
Whenever I feel stuck, I remind myself that everything evolves, and the process is where growth happens.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dallafonte.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallafonteco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dallafonteco
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/31aqa3zwqwfgoimgqywsrphl734m
Image Credits
Christy Kruse (headshots)
Good Chance Creative (product shots)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
