BEYOND STRANGER - SMALL BUSINESS OWNER OLIVIA

Personally, I think a good pair of sunnies can make a basic outfit look chic and a bare face done up. During my recent trip to Thailand, I knew I would be in the sun a lot and a couple of good pairs of sunnies were crucial. I don't often wear makeup, and I always feel that sunnies make me seem a bit more put together than I really am. 

I came across a small Australian business who had a fabulous range of stylish glasses and I know I am in the right place, when it is difficult to narrow it down and just choose a couple. 

I had a chat with Olivia to get to know her and her business a bit more.

1. Tell us about Beyond Stranger and how it all came about.

Sure! I've always been passionate about fashion and design, and after working in the brand management industry for several years, I realized that there was a gap in the market for sunglasses that were both affordable and high-quality. I wanted to create a brand that would offer fun, fresh & fierce sunglasses without breaking the bank. I came up with the name Beyond Stranger because I wanted to capture the idea of going beyond the norm and taking risks to create something truly special.

2. What was your mission at the start of creating your business?

Our mission at the start of creating our business was to offer stylish and unique.
sunglasses that were both affordable and high-quality. We wanted to create a brand that would stand out in a crowded market and offer something truly special to our customers.

3. What are some of your daily habits as a business owner?

Some of my daily habits as a business owner include staying up-to-date on fashion and colour culture trends, managing our social media presence, and working with our design team to create new ideas.

4. What do you find most challenging about being a business owner?

The most challenging aspect of being a business owner is staying up to date in a
crowded market. There are so many other brands out there, so we have to come up with new designs and marketing ideas to stand out and capture our customers attention.

5. Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 years?

In five years, I see our brand continuing to grow and expand, potentially adding new product lines or collaborations to our offerings. I also hope to have built a strong community of loyal customers who love our brand and our sunnies!

6. What do you think is the significant challenge facing small businesses today?

One of the biggest challenges facing small businesses today is the competition from larger, more established brands with bigger budgets and more resources. It can be difficult for small brands to get noticed and build a following, especially in a crowded market like the sunglass industry.

7. What advice would you give to someone starting their own business?

There are up and downs but don’t give up. Just keep doing it and follow your guts.

8. How do you set your business apart from others in your industry? 

Our fun fresh fierce design! We're not afraid to take risks and experiment with bold colours and shapes, and we want beyond stranger girls to feel confident and empowered when they wear our sunnies.

9. What item/s are a crowd fav/most popular?

KIARA for sure! And they are my favourite too, simply can’t leave the house with one pair of KIARA.

10. If you could see any one celebrity rocking your sunnies who would it be?

Oh you name it, Dua Lipa, Emma chamberlain!

11. What qualities do you think every small business owner should possess?

By staying creative, passionate, flexible, customer-focused, and resilient!

12. What are some of your favourite small aussie businesses to support?

@ neos_youthful
@ _kinfolkcollective
@ modernbohemecollective
@ thebotanicalworkshop_

13. How have you grown personally from becoming a small business owner?

Becoming a small business owner has taught me to be more flexible, creative, and resilient than ever before! It's been a wild ride, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

14. Who is your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration is "Sex and the City"! The show's fearless approach to fashion, love, and life in general has always resonated with me. I admire the characters' individuality, confidence, and willingness to take risks, both in their personal lives and in their fashion choices. The show has had a lasting impact on popular culture and continues to inspire women around the world to be their authentic selves and embrace their unique sense of style.

Beyond Stranger crew - thank you for keeping me cute and on point during my holiday to Thailand, these glasses will for sure be making many more trips with me in the future!

Check them out by clicking her ---> BEYOND STRANGER