Today we’d like to introduce you to Olive B. Preston, MBA.
Hi Olive, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in South Florida, a place that didn’t harvest many Fortune 500 headquarters, my introduction to business wasn’t big conglomerates, it was the small and medium-sized business owners that made our communities thrive. I found myself working in financial services through college at Florida International University. Later on also accomplishing an MBA from my alma mater while I ran the operations and market intelligence program for an advertising agency in Miami Beach. We had huge focus on pharmaceuticals/medical devices, as well as travel and tourism accounts, leading us to work with Johnson & Johnson, BARD, Stryker, and the fun accounts of Hilton Hotels, Eastern Airlines, and Sony Latin America.
My experience led me to observe how the small guy integrated into larger businesses throughout the country, bringing Fortune 500 business to our coast without none of us having to leave the sunny beaches. Learning from what the big guys needed in a city with robust entrepreneurship and high competitiveness led me to, later on, accept the role of Head of Operations for Museum of Ice Cream Miami Beach, where I managed a team of over 90 employees and ushered over 1200 guests per day – an exhibit that was sold out everyday. It was a big task in the Miami Beach Faena District with limited city roads and maneuvership, but we accomplished the goal of its creation with meticulous operational processes and teamwork. As the pop-up exhibit Museum of Ice Cream came to the end, the community kept bubbling over its success. I found myself having deeper conversations with business owners about their own trials and tribulations.
Unexpectedly, OBP Business Services came to fruition as we stepped into our client’s businesses to over-haul their foundational needs and integrated our associates as leaders and managers in all aspect of the business to help the growth where it is needed most- with our hands in the daily mix. We have proudly delved into unique businesses of all kinds in the last three years, from beauty/haircare manufacturers, online community-building programs, regenerative medicine practices, and biologics. Our arrival to the Orlando/Kissimmee area comes with a new client that is paving the way in the cannabis industry in Florida. We are aiding our new client in the real estate establishment of medical marijuana cultivation centers, dispensaries, and physician offices throughout the state, and we have finally arrived in Osceola County.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We have definitely experienced our ups and downs like any other company, and nothing worse was watching the coronavirus pandemic take down businesses. Our business is focused on helping other businesses and it put us in a unique position to see it happen from inside the boardroom and outwards. It’s been heart-wrenching, as a Business Associate to different companies, to witness with them all the affects of down-sizing, complete stop of production and manufacturing, and the sad closures some had to experience based on their industries being hit the hardest. As their businesses got hit, so did ours. We had always touted a line to help our clients understand that emotions are best left out of business decisions, but such decisions this time around just hurt the soul- from assisting the clients in reducing their staff, to canning yourself based on your own recommendation to help them stay afloat.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about OBP Business Services?
Our business is built on Business Enthusiasts helping other Business Enthusiasts. Many small businesses don’t have the deep pockets of hiring well-seasoned professionals full-time. Yet, no matter the size of a business there are so many prongs that need to be developed to have a holistic, functional organization. We are problem-solvers with creative minds, going out-of-the-box to mold the limited resources of our clients so they can build their vision soundly. We won’t just handle the daily tasks of your business where it is needed, but we will plan it all out. We are proud of the partnerships we build with our clients, one of prosperous thinking and the actual work needed to become prosperous. We can write a business plan that works for you on your new endeavor, all the way to establishing an entire department your business may be in need of creating for the next steps of growth. If your business has a need for tender, love, and care for growth, we can help you tend to its needs.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
1. Not everyone will be on the same page as you. That’s ok- that’s when we use patience and education to get them up to speed. 2. When someone at first disagrees with your opinion, don’t coward away, ALWAYS ask them to share their vision and take notes. You will learn faster this way than trying to figure it out alone before the “next meeting”. 3. Rome wasn’t built in a day. It was built brick by brick. Focus on the bricks, but keep dreaming about Rome.
Contact Info:
- Email: olive@obpreston.com
- Website: www.obpreston.com
- Instagram: @obpbizservices
