Grace Olayiwola: Bridging Tech, Wellness, and Luxury Through Purpose-Driven Brands

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

Grace Olayiwola is a dynamic Application System Business Systems Analyst, bringing deep expertise in health informatics, data analysis, and digital transformation solutions. With a master’s degree in health informatics and a sharp focus on optimizing system performance and user experience, she bridges the gap between technology and human needs across enterprise healthcare and business platforms.

Beyond her career in tech, Grace is also the creative founder behind three thriving brands:

Imperial Lola – a luxurious fashion label offering embellished hair accessories and hats inspired by timeless elegance and vintage glamour. Exclusively curated and sold via private release, each piece is designed to elevate personal style for bridal, event, and everyday wear.

ALGStudioStore – a wellness-focused brand known for personalized self-care gift boxes, curated with intention and meaning. From birthdays to bridesmaid proposals, ALGStudioStore celebrates relaxation, love, and thoughtful gifting.

ALGelysianFlamesCo – an eco-luxe candle company offering hand-poured soy candles and sensory experiences that promote calm, healing, and wellness. Each scent tells a story, often inspired by Grace’s own journey through motherhood, recovery, and mental health. Grace seamlessly blends her background in tech with her passion for wellness and creativity, proving that women can thrive in both analytical and artistic spaces.

Who are your customers?

Imperial Lola

Customers: Fashion-forward women who love vintage-inspired, Old Hollywood glamour and appreciate luxurious, one-of-a-kind accessories. Brides, bridesmaids, and wedding stylists looking for elegant, embellished hair accessories or statement hats. Stylists, photographers, and influencers who curate high-end looks for photoshoots and events. Collectors of unique, limited-edition fashion pieces. Luxury shoppers who value exclusivity and craftsmanship

Customer Persona Example: A bride planning a timeless wedding who wants a handcrafted pearl hairpin and dramatic vintage-style hat for her bridal portraits.

ALGStudioStore

Customers: Women (ages 25–45) who prioritize wellness, relaxation, and self-care. Gift givers shopping for birthdays, bridesmaid proposals, new moms, coworkers, or anniversary gifts. Corporate clients or HR teams seeking meaningful and aesthetic employee appreciation gifts. People recovering from stress, burnout, or postpartum, looking for thoughtful comfort items. Wellness and lifestyle shoppers who value natural, sustainable, and personalized packaging

Customer Persona Example: A new mom receiving a postpartum wellness gift box from a friend, filled with calming spa items and a personal note.

ALGelysianFlamesCo

Customers: Home fragrance lovers who enjoy eco-friendly soy candles with sophisticated scents like peony, lavender, vanilla, and coffee. Minimalist and aesthetic lifestyle shoppers who value sustainable luxury. Therapists, yoga instructors, and coaches who create calming spaces. Holiday shoppers seeking elevated gifts for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or housewarming. Repeat customers from ALGStudioStore who want to reorder their favorite scents separately.

Customer Persona Example: A young professional who lights a eucalyptus soy candle after work for stress relief and ambiance in her apartment.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Before launching Imperial Lola, ALGStudioStore, and ALGelysianFlamesCo, I built a successful career in the healthcare technology space. With a Master of Science in Health Informatics, I worked as a Senior Application Business Systems Analyst, where I specialized in improving user experience, streamlining clinical workflows, and driving data-informed decisions for enterprise healthcare systems.

My work involved collaborating across departments, translating business needs into system solutions, and ensuring that digital platforms aligned with patient care and organizational goals. Over the years, I developed a deep appreciation for the intersection of technology, wellness, and human connection. It was during my own personal wellness journey—especially in postpartum recovery—that I realized the power of thoughtful self-care. That experience, along with my creative passion, inspired me to build brands that bring comfort, beauty, and luxury into people’s lives through meaningful, personalized products.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

It was deeply personal. During my postpartum journey, I struggled with feelings of overwhelm and isolation. I found comfort in small self-care rituals—lighting a calming candle, taking quiet moments with tea, or journaling my thoughts. These moments helped me feel grounded again. That healing process sparked a realization: so many women, especially moms and busy professionals, need permission to slow down and feel cared for.

With my background in health informatics and systems analysis, I had the tools to solve problems. But I wanted to solve a different kind of problem—the emotional and mental exhaustion so many women silently carry. That’s when I felt called to create spaces of beauty, comfort, and intentionality through my own brands.

I launched ALGStudioStore and ALGelysianFlamesCo to offer personalized, eco-conscious self-care gifts that truly nourish. Then came Imperial Lola, born from my love of fashion and vintage elegance, as a celebration of confidence and femininity. Taking the leap wasn’t just about business—it was about turning pain into purpose, and creativity into community.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Not exactly—but looking back, the signs were always there. I’ve always been creative, detail-oriented, and deeply driven to build things with purpose. Even while pursuing a career in health informatics and working as a Senior Application Business Systems Analyst, I found myself constantly thinking about how to improve systems, create better experiences, and bring ideas to life.

But it wasn’t until I went through postpartum recovery that the desire to create something of my own became undeniable. The experience awakened a passion for wellness, storytelling, and crafting meaningful moments—things that traditional corporate roles couldn’t fully fulfill. So while I didn’t grow up saying, “I want to be a business owner,” I always had an entrepreneurial spirit: the drive to create, to solve problems, and to serve others in a thoughtful, beautiful way. Becoming an entrepreneur felt like a natural evolution—one that blended my personal journey, creative soul, and professional skills into something deeply fulfilling.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

When I first launched my business, my marketing strategy was simple but intentional: create meaningful, beautiful products and let people feel the care behind them. I leaned into what I knew—storytelling, personalization, and authenticity. I started with Instagram and Etsy, focusing on high-quality visuals, heartfelt captions, and clear, branded packaging. I shared why I created each gift box or candle—how it was inspired by real moments of healing, self-care, or celebration in my own life. I also gifted samples to a few micro-influencers and close friends, asking for honest reviews and unboxings. But like many first-time entrepreneurs, things didn’t always go as planned. I quickly realized that having a beautiful product wasn’t enough—I needed to learn about SEO, customer behavior, email marketing, and consistent content planning. Some campaigns flopped, some ads didn’t convert, and some months were painfully slow.

What did work was building genuine connections: Responding personally to DMs. Including handwritten notes in orders. Asking for feedback and actually applying it.

Leaning into Pinterest, Reels, and aesthetic content to reflect the luxury and intention behind each item That first launch taught me that marketing is more than promotion—it’s relationship-building, storytelling, and staying visible even when things are quiet. It didn’t go exactly as I planned, but it led me to strategies that felt aligned and sustainable for the long haul.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing entrepreneurship with my full-time career and personal life, especially as someone who deeply values quality and intention in everything I do.

Wearing multiple hats—Senior Business Systems Analyst by day, founder and creative behind three brands by night—meant I had to learn quickly how to prioritize, set boundaries, and accept that I can't do it all at once. There were moments of burnout, especially during product launches or holiday seasons, where I felt pulled in every direction. I also faced the challenge of visibility—standing out in a crowded market while staying true to my voice. It was tempting to follow trends just to keep up, but I learned that authenticity builds deeper connections and longer-lasting growth.

What I’ve learned is this: Systems are everything. Whether it’s automating order fulfillment or planning content in advance, structure gives me freedom. Progress over perfection. Launching imperfectly is better than never launching at all. And most importantly, the mission matters most. Remembering why I started—helping women feel seen, cared for, and celebrated—keeps me grounded when things get hard. Challenges will always come, but they’ve made me a more thoughtful, strategic, and resilient founder.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

What accomplishment am I most proud of to date in my business?

One of my proudest accomplishments has been building a brand that genuinely connects with and uplifts women through personalized self-care and timeless elegance. From launching Imperial Lola with its limited-edition, vintage-inspired accessories to growing ALGStudioStore and ALGelysianFlamesCo into trusted names for luxurious, thoughtful gifts, every milestone feels deeply meaningful. But what truly stands out is hearing from customers who say our products helped them feel seen, relaxed, or celebrated during important moments—whether it’s a new mom finding comfort, a bride feeling beautiful, or someone gifting self-care to a loved one. Turning my personal journey into a purpose-driven business that empowers others is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s not just about sales or growth, but about creating a community and experience that feels authentic and heartfelt.

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

Over the past year, I’m grateful to have been featured in multiple magazines and podcasts, which has been such an exciting milestone for my brands—Imperial Lola, ALGStudioStore, and ALGelysianFlamesCo. These features gave me the chance to share my story and the heart behind my products with new audiences who value self-care, luxury, and meaningful gifting. While these wins weren’t through Entreprenista, they still represent important moments of growth and recognition that I’m proud to celebrate with this wonderful community. Every feature feels like a step forward on this entrepreneurial journey, and I’m inspired to keep creating, connecting, and elevating the experience for all of you.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Honestly, the accomplishment I’m most proud of isn’t a sales milestone or an award—it’s the courage to actually launch my business in the first place. Taking that leap wasn’t easy. It meant stepping out of my comfort zone, trusting my vision, and believing in myself even when there were uncertainties and doubts. It was about choosing to create something meaningful that blends my passion for wellness, creativity, and personal growth. That courage has opened doors I never imagined—connecting with amazing customers, building brands I love, and continuously growing both personally and professionally. For me, launching my business was the bravest and most empowering accomplishment of all.

What is your top productivity tip? 

Prioritize with intention and time-block your day.

I start by identifying the 1–3 most important tasks that will move my business or work forward each day. Then, I schedule focused blocks of time to work on those tasks without distractions—no emails, no social media, just pure, uninterrupted focus. This approach helps me avoid overwhelm, stay aligned with my goals, and make consistent progress, even on busy or unpredictable days. Plus, it creates space for creativity and self-care, which keeps my energy sustainable over the long run.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

I start by identifying the 1–3 most important tasks that will move my business or work forward each day. Then, I schedule focused blocks of time to work on those tasks without distractions—no emails, no social media, just pure, uninterrupted focus. This approach helps me avoid overwhelm, stay aligned with my goals, and make consistent progress, even on busy or unpredictable days. Plus, it creates space for creativity and self-care, which keeps my energy sustainable over the long run.

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

For me, it’s all about intentional integration—not trying to separate work and life perfectly, but finding harmony between the two. I’m very fortunate to have a supportive work environment in my role as a Senior Application Business Systems Analyst, where work-life balance is truly respected. That flexibility has made it possible for me to pursue my creative passions through my businesses—Imperial Lola, ALGStudioStore, and ALGelysianFlamesCo—without burning out.

I approach balance by setting clear boundaries, time-blocking for deep focus, and making room for rest and creativity. I listen to my energy and allow myself to shift gears when needed—whether that means pausing to recharge, or diving into an inspired business idea after hours.To me, balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about being present, prioritizing what matters, and giving myself grace through the process

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish I had known that you don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. When I first started, I felt like I needed the perfect plan, branding, strategy, and confidence before I could truly call myself a business owner. But the truth is—clarity comes from doing. Growth happens in the messy middle. You learn, evolve, and refine as you go. I’ve realized that progress is better than perfection, and every step forward—no matter how small—is building something meaningful. The key is starting, staying open to learning, and surrounding yourself with a supportive community like Entreprenista that reminds you you’re not alone in the journey.

Are you a Mamaprenista? If so, please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family

Yes, I’m proudly a Mamaprenista. Running multiple businesses while being a mom has taught me more about strength, grace, and time management than any textbook ever could.

My best advice? Give yourself permission to do things your way. There’s no perfect formula for balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, so release the pressure to “do it all.” Some days the business gets more attention, other days your family needs you fully—and both are okay.

I plan intentionally, but I also stay flexible. I lean into routines, delegate when possible, and create moments of presence—whether it's during a client call or bedtime stories. Most importantly, I remind myself often: being a mom is not a limitation—it’s a superpower. It has fueled my creativity, deepened my purpose, and shaped the heart of everything I create. You can build a thriving business and a beautiful family life—it just takes grace, patience, and trusting your own rhythm.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Canva hands down. As a creative entrepreneur running three visually driven brands—Imperial Lola, ALGStudioStore, and ALGelysianFlamesCo—Canva has been a game-changer for designing everything from product inserts and packaging mockups to Instagram posts, logo designs, and email graphics. It allows me to stay consistent with branding, even without a full design team, and saves me hours each week. The templates, brand kit features, and content planner make it easy to maintain a polished aesthetic across all my platforms. Whether I’m designing a vintage-inspired promo for Imperial Lola or a relaxing self-care box unboxing card for ALGStudioStore, Canva helps me bring my vision to life—beautifully and efficiently.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Start before you feel fully ready—and trust that your passion is enough to take the first step. You don’t need to have the perfect branding, a full product line, or all the answers figured out. What you do need is a clear “why,” the courage to start small, and the willingness to grow through the process. Every big brand you admire once started with a single idea and a leap of faith.

Also—don’t underestimate the power of community. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, support your wins and your stumbles, and remind you that you’re not alone in this journey. Entreprenista has been that for me, and it makes a huge difference. And finally, give yourself grace. Building something meaningful takes time, but your consistency, creativity, and heart will take you far.

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