Rare Olive: A Maker's Journey
“Find a way to bring joy into your business because it matters for longevity. Lean into the parts you enjoy and, if possible, delegate what you do not. Avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on what truly makes you happy.”
Rare Olive: A Maker's Journey
By Nicole, Founder & Designer of Rare Olive
For Nicole, creativity was never something she discovered. It was something she grew up with.
Raised in a family of makers, she was surrounded by people who worked with their hands. Her grandfather was a carpenter, her father was always building something, and creativity was woven into everyday life. That early connection to making eventually led her to study Product Design, where she learned the technical side of creating products.
What she discovered, however, was that large-scale manufacturing did not align with the future she imagined for herself.
Drawn to thoughtful design and sustainable materials, Nicole began creating pieces of her own and bringing them to local markets. What started with a small table and a collection of handmade items slowly evolved into something much bigger.
Those early markets introduced her to a community of people who valued handmade work and independent makers. The encouragement she received gave her the confidence to keep building.
More than ten years later, Rare Olive has become a recognized Canadian jewellery brand known for its modern wooden jewellery and accessories. Together with her husband, Nicole travels across the country, participating in markets and connecting directly with customers who share an appreciation for design, individuality, and craftsmanship.
Jewellery offered the perfect intersection of Nicole's interests in design and fashion. It allowed her to create new collections regularly while helping customers express their personal style through pieces that feel distinctive and unique.
The name Rare Olive reflects that philosophy. Rare speaks to individuality and personal expression, while Olive nods to the natural materials and earthy inspiration behind the brand.
Along the way, Nicole has learned that not every idea will succeed and that setbacks are often part of the process. What may feel like a failure in one season can become the lesson that leads to a better opportunity in the next.
Today, Rare Olive continues to grow through a combination of creativity, community, and a commitment to creating products that align with Nicole's values.
Her advice to fellow entrepreneurs is simple: find joy in what you are building. Success looks different for everyone, and the most rewarding path is often the one that stays true to your own definition of it.
One of Nicole's favourite petite joys is the flexibility her business provides. Whether she is creating in the workshop or travelling to markets across Canada, her dog Buddy is usually close by, making every day a little better.
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Rare Olive is a female-owned Canadian brand creating wooden jewellery and accessories that are unique, smartly crafted, and made with natural woods. Rare Olive is part of a movement that strives to create connections through fashion while providing a sustainable aesthetic for people who gravitate towards good design, slow fashion, and supporting handmade.
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The Summer édition of COCOLILY Magazine | 2026, presented as a 118-page PDF designed for keeping.
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