We had the good fortune of connecting with Olivia Lagaly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Taking the leap into entrepreneurship was one of the riskiest, and most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. I chose a path that looked very different from what most of my friends were doing after college. While many went straight into corporate roles, I decided to bet on myself and build something of my own. It was terrifying at times, especially in the beginning; juggling odd jobs, nannying, and working in retail while trying to figure it all out! My journey was anything but linear, but through the chaos, I realized that entrepreneurship was where I truly thrived!

There was no guarantee it would work out, and in many ways that uncertainty was the biggest risk of all. But I’ve always been open to pivoting, and I’ve done it plenty of times. To me, risk-taking isn’t about being reckless; it’s about having the courage to try, while knowing you can course-correct along the way. Passion and vision can take you far, and even if things don’t go exactly as planned, you can always return to the familiar. What matters most is that you try. For me, the biggest risk wasn’t failure- it was the regret of never going for it!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always considered myself a creative at heart. Through my business, All Things Olivia (www.allthingsolivia.com), I offer UGC, photography, and web design! All facets of my business are rooted in storytelling and aesthetics that feel fresh, intentional, and personal.

One of the most consistent pieces of feedback I get from clients (and the advice I’d give to any aspiring entrepreneur) is this: let your personality shine. Even if your business isn’t “personal” in the traditional sense, you are still the magic behind it. Be warm, be personable, be yourself. That genuine connection is what draws people in and keeps them coming back. I truly believe my ability to be authentically me has been the biggest factor in growing my business and attracting aligned clients.

Right now, I’m focused on scaling. I’m incredibly passionate about entrepreneurship and excited to take on more UGC and photography projects this year, especially with local businesses. (If that’s you…reach out! I’d love to connect!)

The hardest part of getting started? Believing in myself. I spent a lot of time wondering if I should play it safe and get a traditional job. But deep down, I knew I was meant for something different. And now, I’m proud to be doing work I love, in a way that feels completely my own!

My biggest lesson so far? Trust your gut. This is your life, and you get to decide how it looks. Don’t let society define your success. Look inward, get honest about what you love, and let that lead the way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I was bringing a friend to LA I would show them all of my favorite spots in Santa Monica! I love a beach day, so on a sunny day I would take them to Santa Monica State Beach, lay in the sun, and maybe even take a class with Santa Monica Beach Volleyball. I love all of the basic things- I always love going to Elephanté and getting the whipped eggplant and pesto pasta with a dirty martini- might be my favorite meal of all time! Then I like to grab a drink at The Bungalow after. Some other favorites are Cobi’s for dinner, La La Land for a matcha & avocado toast, and shopping on Montana!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I absolutely want to give a huge shoutout to my UGC & Photography mentors who have guided me along the way! Jayleigh Flood was the first photography mentor I ever hired for a coaching session, and she is still such a huge inspiration to me. Creatively Linda was the first UGC course I ever purchased and was the literal reason I started UGC, and she got me my first & biggest UGC deal to date! And Mehr Rajput is my UGC Coach & helped me scale my UGC business & personal brand to the point where I’ve been able to make so much more income from UGC than I ever could have imagined. I am sooo grateful to all of these amazing women!

Website: https://www.allthingsolivia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivialagaly/?hl=en

Twitter: https://x.com/UGCwithO

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