Coworking with Olivia Steele

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Olivia Steele has spent a decade in the fashion retail industry, and she’s now using that experience to help luxury retailers train associations on driving virtual sales as co-founder and CEO of Conversation Couture.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? I always start by asking a couple of questions: “Do you ever go online shopping? Have you ever had a conversation with a chat bot?” (The response is usually delivered in a tone of exasperation.) At Conversation Couture, we help retailers improve that experience for customers through chat and other virtual communications. We all shop online, so we all understand the conveniences and challenges e-commerce brings.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? Everyone assumes a CEO does a little bit of everything, but I loathe financials and financial planning.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? I am motivated by seeing this idea I had,  the company I founded, really help brands succeed. We worked with a company that had one location in Australia when we started, and after working with us for three months, they now have locations in Singapore, New Zealand, and are getting ready to open here in the US. Helping a smaller brand scale and provide a great experience for customers is exciting, and by focusing on that experience this brand has quickly grown and expanded. These types of results are what drives our team to keep going.

Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about this year, and why? I love the fact that retail is starting to really listen to its customers. I love how Web3 is shifting the experience to more of an individual focus rather than the brand/larger corporations. Individuals are pushing the boundaries and demanding more, and I love that shift. I think it’s powerful.

What’s your go-to coffee order? Extra shot, oat milk latte.

Worst piece of advice you’ve received? “You can’t do it. Don’t do it.”

What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? When I was 15, I’m pretty sure my favorite retail product was fur boots that I had in high school. I think I wore them every single day to school. Now, my favorite retail product is anything for my skin. I love skin care products.