How Two Black Women Built a Luxury Olive Oil Brand Without Quitting Their Jobs | Ep. 378

·48 min·4 clips

Myla Trace Montgomery and Nyanna Carver built Atlanta's first black woman-owned olive oil boutique without quitting their day jobs.

Host LaTosha Johnson introduces the episode by framing it around Christian women pursuing purpose without compromise. She welcomes guests Myla Trace Montgomery and Nyanna Carver, who go by Molly and Nikki, co-founders of Vine & Olive. Molly is a physician associate with 16 years of experience, and Nikki is a director of sales for a broadcast media station. They explain that the idea for Vine & Olive emerged during the 2020 lockdown when Molly, feeling burnt out from healthcare, sought a new source of joy and income. Inspired by memories around the table and a visit to an olive oil store owned by their mentor Regina, they decided to launch the business in Atlanta. The boutique offers over 40 flavors of premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars from around the world. They detail how they curate flavors based on personal preferences, customer feedback, and seasonality, citing examples like Tuscan herb as a top seller and lavender for niche tastes. The hosts debunk common misconceptions, such as that olive oil cannot be used for cooking or that balsamic vinegar is only for salads, emphasizing educational aspects in their tasting experiences. They highlight the importance of freshness, noting olive oil should be consumed close to its crush date. Molly and Nikki discuss the significance of being a black-owned business in the food and beverage industry, revealing they are among only eight black-owned olive oil brands globally. They describe adding events and workshops to their model, like private tastings and corporate events, to enhance customer engagement. Looking ahead, they see trends toward experiential shopping and health-conscious, flavorful options. When asked for one-word goals, Molly says 'expansion' in outreach and collaborations, while Nikki chooses 'unlimited' to reflect boundless thinking. They advise aspiring entrepreneurs to find a mentor and 'feel the fear and do it anyway.' The episode includes a post-show cooking demo where they make an elevated grilled cheese sandwich using their products.

As heard by us

A founder conversation where hospitality, representation, and grilled cheese show how an olive oil brand invites people in.

Hustlin' Faith follows co-founders Myla Trace Montgomery and Nyanna Carver through a warm conversation about an olive oil business built around hospitality, community, and helping people make each meal feel like a masterpiece.

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Why you'd press play

Want a founder story about a Black-owned olive oil brand built around community, hospitality, and making everyday meals feel special?

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