Meet Olivia Peterson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Olivia Peterson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Olivia with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I would say I get my work ethic from my grandfather, Roy Heggenes. He was a talented carpenter and woodworker who was well known on Whidbey Island. In 2020, during the pandemic, he started my business with me and taught me the value of dedication, creativity, and putting pride into every piece of work. His work ethic and creativity naturally rubbed off on me. After he passed away, I made it my mission to honor him by pushing even harder and growing my business further. His influence continues to motivate me every day, and I feel like I carry a part of his legacy through the work I do.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My goal has always been to grow my business as big as I can while pushing myself and my artistic limits. I do a lot of hands-on woodworking, making custom frames, mirrors, wedding and guest book signs, and unique pieces for homes and nurseries. A lot of what I make is more of a western decor type style. I love the process of creating something meaningful for people and always challenge myself to come up with new products and fresh ideas.
I also love collaborating with brands, other small businesses, and creators. Social media, especially TikTok and Instagram, have really been the backbone of my growth, and the opportunities I’ve had through those platforms have been incredible.
Another big part of my story is showing people that you can start from absolutely nothing. For me, it all began when I picked up an old frame with glass in it, cut some vinyl, and posted it on social media and the rest was history. That one small project turned into the business I have today.
Looking forward, I want to keep growing, creating, and building something lasting. Part of that is for me, but part of it is also for my daughter. I want her to see what hard work and creativity can build, and if she ever wanted to, she’d have a business to step into and make her own.

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?

Looking back, I think the three most important qualities that have impacted my journey are creativity, persistence, and adaptability.

Creativity – My entire business is built on creating unique, custom pieces, frames, mirrors, wedding signs, and woodworking projects. Creativity helps me constantly come up with new products and ideas that connect with people in a meaningful way.
Persistence – There were many times early on when it would have been easy to give up, but I kept going. From starting with just an old frame and vinyl to building a full woodworking business, persistence kept me moving forward when things were tough.
Adaptability – I had to learn how to grow on social media, work with customers, and run a business, all things I didn’t know at the start. Being open to learning and adapting has been key to growing my business from nothing into what it is today.
For people just starting out, my advice is: don’t wait until everything feels perfect. Start small, be willing to learn as you go, and keep pushing forward. Even the tiniest beginnings can grow into something incredible if you stay creative, persistent, and adaptable.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My grandfather and my husband have both been the most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and build the skills I needed to be successful. My grandfather not only helped me start my business but also passed down his strong work ethic and creativity, which became the foundation of everything I do. My husband has also been a huge support. He is very creative and has a natural ability to see how something can be done, which has pushed me to try new things and grow my skills. Together, their influence and encouragement have helped me stay persistent, keep learning, and believe in myself through the challenges of running a small business!

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Where does your self-discipline come from?

One of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. We asked some

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
Working hard in 2025: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that