Meet Megan Schmer of Olive & Olde’s in Stapleton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Schmer.

Megan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2017, we were in the throws of adjusting to two kiddos, Dylan was working in sales at a tech company and I had postpartum depression that I just couldn’t see the light at the end of any tunnel. We needed something that was ours and that was fun. We needed a reprieve from all of the diapers, late night international calls, perpetual email checking and crying. I had heard of Round Top Antique Fair in Round Top, TX, but hadn’t ever been. I pitched it to Dylan after a few thrifting runs together in Denver that we both really enjoyed, we booked our trip. We talked a lot about how off-putting the smell of dust can be and why do old things smell. We joked and joked, “If we have a shop, everyone will remember us because of how GOOD we smell!” And then there we were, in the middle of BFE Texas, with a nine month old, my mom, sweat dripping off our faces and antiques for as far as the eye could see. Olive and Olde’s was really born in Texas, it was the first place and time I’ve ever been where I thought “I could do this for the rest of my life.” We focus mostly on textiles right now, which we originally sourced from a vendor that was in Round Top, TX. But the main takeaway was the story behind all of the antiques. When things have a story, they take on a new life and have so much more meaning.

Our home goods products like authentic African Mudcloth / Indigo Pillows, meditation cushions and refreshing clean room sprays embody our core ethos, meraki. The concept of meraki, a Japanese word for putting a small piece of our heart and soul into the products they make and the vintage products they source and restore. All of our products intend to bring people closer together, embrace one’s living space (wherever it may be), and maximize comfort.

How we have evolved into what we are today: Our brand refresh that we did with Laura Evans (@lauraevans.co) was hands down the best thing we ever did.

It’s given us a vehicle to constantly reassess the market and say, “Are we doing what we want to be doing?” We don’t sell as much vintage as we did in the beginning, but when we were working with Laura, I asked for something with a nose. Because our motto was “Vintage that doesn’t stink.” I know she thought I was nuts, but she said, “Well, let’s see what we can drum up!” The next time we chatted, she had developed this concept (which is now the face of our brand, Olive). It reminded me of those old contour line drawings and her nose was prominent, but soft and approachable, her face is oval in shape.

The minute I saw her, I said, “Holy sh*t, there she is, it’s Olive!” Thus began the business name changes and a forever guiding light for our business.

Olive, our affectionately-named logo and two dimensional face of the brand, was derived from the desire to convey our intent for the company and brand. Olive branches and trees have for centuries been symbols of peace. Olive illustrates unity, authenticity, togetherness, comfort, and passion. And she is the result of my ask: “Can I have something with a nose?!”

We have new products coming out that we’ve designed top to bottom and a new series coming to the end of July and in October called PillowTalk, focused on storytelling and building community. Did I think we’d be gathering people to sit on our pillows and talk about wine or season changes and rituals? No, but I’m absolutely head over heels with what we are creating!

Has it been a smooth road?
Ha! I think if entrepreneurship were easy, everyone would do it! Our biggest struggle right now is time. Finding enough of it and being efficient. Dylan always says he wishes he could pause time, take a nap, finish his to-do list and then go pick up the boys and play non-stop. Unfortunately, we haven’t figured out how to clone ourselves (yet!) so we mostly work during nap time and in the evenings. I have a few days during the week with childcare coverage which helps.

Another struggle for us has been how to source the materials that we want, we’re getting better at it, but the learning curve has been steep! You have to learn to laugh because if you don’t, you would cry all day every day. Neither of us have backgrounds in manufacturing or pattern making, but we’re doing it!
(Thanks, Google!) We both come from families that did everything themselves and prided themselves on problem solving. We definitely inherited those traits and a healthy dose of stubbornness. Which, you need in entrepreneurship!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Olive & Olde’s story. Tell us more about the business.
We make everything here in Denver. We import a lot of our fabric and textiles. But everything else we try to source here in the US and limit to a certain radius from Denver. All patterns, scents and vintage is sourced by myself or Dylan. We have a village to help us with marketing, childcare, graphic design, website updates and the most supportive cheerleading squad, but the individual products.

I think we’re the most proud of the zafu cushions we recently designed. Megan put a call out on social media to see if there was any interest in meditation cushions. We were pleasantly surprised to be introduced to The Meditation Station. The Meditation Station is a mobile meditation tiny house that you can rent by the minute or for larger events. Sarah and Tate are the owners and have become good friends of ours. From concept to hand scooping buckwheat into the cushions at midnight, our zafus are a labor of love. The response has been really positive, so we are excited to be growing that part of our business. It feels good to be making something that can really help people establish a mindfulness practice that they can always go back to.

I’m a RN by trade and didn’t return after we had our oldest son, Owen. I never really felt like I was making a positive impact when I was working in critical care. It always felt like putting a bandaid on a perpetual bullet hole that just got bigger and bigger. Bigger hole? Bigger bandaid. I never take for granted how lucky I am that I was able to stay home with our boys and do a 180 degree career change. I missed being creative, but I also wanted to find a way to give back and help others. Our cushions and practicing meditation that feels like we’re making an impact. I think if you can provide education and the tools people need. They may not take you up on it immediately, but they know you’re there and honestly: they usually come back.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think big shifts are coming, but it will be interesting to see how consumers react. We can’t compete with Made in China, so we don’t attempt to. We tell everyone our about our process, where we source from, who we source from. We are constantly trying to do better and make better decisions. I think the more we can empower consumers to ask where products are coming from and what they are made of, the better off we’ll all be.

Pricing:

• Mists – $15-$20
• Lumbar pillow – $90-$130
• Zafu meditation cushion $90

Contact Info:

• Website: http://oliveandoldes.com
• Email: megan@oliveandoldes.com

Image Credit:
Megan & Dylan photo: Julie Harris Photography
Wayfare Ranch: Caitlin Rose Photography
Elevate Mist: Caitlin Rose Photography
Rosie Pillow: Tayler Carlisle Photography
Pillow Fort: Tayler Carlisle Photography
Master Logo: artwork by Laura Evans

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.