Meet Olivia VanDuyse | Creative Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olivia VanDuyse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks the the foundation of my life and career as I know it. The first risk I remember taking in terms of business was when I was about 16 and in high school. I was working a cashier job at a plant nursery to save up money for a trip, but I was very unfulfilled in that role. One day a friend and I were shopping at Goodwill and I noticed a really cool vintage embroidered Eagles sweatshirt. (Sorry Dad, Go Falcons!!!!!!! #RiseUp). I decided to purchase it with the hope I could flip it for some profit, and it worked. My journey of selling clothing began with a small, but life changing risk. A few years later I took the risk to live with my parents and commute to college. Sitting on the Marta on the way to class I decided I was meant for more. I dove into the world of really starting a business. I invested into a machine where I could customize clothes, had my grandpa write my favorite quote he said to me “Every day is a good day,” put it on a sweatshirt, posted it and got my first sale. The rest is history.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I own a clothing brand called TPWK Brand, which stands for Treat People With Kindness. At its heart, my brand is all about spreading positivity and creating a community built on love, encouragement, and light. I design loungewear and everyday wear with affirmations because I truly believe the words we wear can influence our mood, our confidence, and the energy we bring into the world.

Alongside TPWK Brand, I also run OHVAN Brand, which is the custom clothing side of my work. Through OHVAN, I create apparel for small businesses — everything from merch to uniforms to full custom drops. I love collaborating with other entrepreneurs and helping them bring their visions to life. That creative partnership is such a meaningful part of what I do.

My work with OHVAN Brand actually ties directly into how I started creating clothing in the first place. Before I had a brand name or a mission statement, I was reworking clothes using secondhand materials — thrifting pieces, taking them apart, sewing them into something completely new, and creating one-of-one items. That hands-on, sustainable, totally creative process is what sparked everything for me. And even now, I still sew one-of-one pieces because it keeps me connected to the roots of my creativity and reminds me why I fell in love with designing in the first place.

What makes TPWK Brand different is the intention behind every piece. This isn’t fast fashion and it’s not about chasing trends. Everything I create is rooted in purpose, positivity, and the belief that clothing can be a form of emotional support. My pieces are more than comfortable loungewear — they’re little reminders that you deserve love, joy, gentleness, and good days.

I’m incredibly proud of how far this brand has come. TPWK started as a message I believed in deeply, and watching it grow into something people connect with has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. But it definitely wasn’t easy. I began with no roadmap — just passion, vision, and a willingness to learn everything myself. From reworking thrifted clothes to designing full collections to running a business, I’ve had to grow piece by piece.

There were challenges, slow seasons, moments of doubt, and days where I questioned if I was doing enough. But my “why” kept me going. This brand was created to bring light into people’s lives, and that purpose anchored me through every obstacle. I learned to adapt, to stay patient with my growth, and to give myself grace.

Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned are that consistency matters more than perfection, growth takes time, and staying true to your values always brings the right people to you. And one of the most important lessons: kindness to others starts with kindness to yourself.

I also wouldn’t be where I am today without the people in my life who supported me through every step. My parents have always encouraged my non-traditional path. My sister has been the best model I could ever ask for and helps me whenever I need it. My brother let me turn his bedroom into my first “office” when he left for college and continues to inspire me with his intelligence and drive. My aunts buy from me, cheer me on, and make me feel endlessly supported. My grandpa has always inspired me with his positivity and the quote he taught me, “Every day is a good day,” which became the first custom I ever made. And my friends genuinely keep me going — their support has meant everything. Even Oscar, Finley, and Harley have been a part of this journey; we’ve never shared words, but their love and company got me through so many long workdays.

After helping Coalition Steak and Seafood grow from 5k to over 60k followers in the past two and a half years while earning my Bachelor’s in Marketing, I realized just how much I love building brands and telling meaningful stories. That experience showed me the impact thoughtful social media strategy can have and how much joy I find in helping businesses grow.

Now, after graduating from Georgia State University, I’m taking another exciting step and launching my own social media firm. After months of deliberation, it will officially be called DYSE Digital: Social Media Marketing. This new chapter brings together everything I’ve learned through TPWK Brand, OHVAN Brand, and years of client work — creativity, community-building, storytelling, and heart. I’m so excited to help other businesses shine, grow, and connect with the people who need them most.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1
Browse High Museum of Art
Fellini’s Pizza lunch
Walk the BeltLine
Dinner + sunset drinks at Sunset Rooftop at Clairmont Lounge

Day 2
Coffee + thrift/vintage in Little Five the clothing warehouse, rag-o-rama
Dinner at Amore e Amore
Puttshack for drinks + mini golf

Day 3
Smoothies at Arden’s Garden
Walk Piedmont Park
Dinner and drinks at Park Tavern

Day 4
Aquarium/Coke Museum
Ferris Wheel at Centennial Olympic

Day 5
Brunch at Ponce City Market
Explore shops + rooftop activities
Dinner at Café Intermezzo

Day 6
Braves Game + Lunch at Yardhouse
PBR post game
OR
Tailgating + Falcons game

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my family and friends!!!!! I’m so thankful for everyone who has believed in my big dreams. To my parents, thank you for never discouraging me from taking a non-traditional path and always reminding me that I could do this. To my sister, thank you for always being there to help with anything I needed and for being the best model I could ever ask for. To my big brother, thank you for letting me turn your bedroom into my first office when you went away to college and for being such an inspiring, intelligent person. To my aunts, thank you for always buying from me, supporting everything I create, and making me feel so loved in this journey. And to my grandpa, thank you for cheering me on, inspiring me, and being one of the most positive people I know. Your optimism and belief in me mean more than you’ll ever know. To my friends, thank you for cheering me on, sharing my work, lifting me up, and supporting me through every stage of this journey. I truly wouldn’t be here without you. And to Oscar, Finley, and Harley, my beloved 4-legged friend. We may have never shared words, but thank you for making me feel the deepest love and keeping me company through all of the long work days.

Website: https://tpwkbrand.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tpwkbrand

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-vanduyse/

Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@tpwkbrand

Other: https://www.instagram.com/olllliiiviiaaa/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/ohvan.brand/?hl=en

@tpwkbrand

@ohvanbrand

https://www.tiktok.com/@dysedigital?lang=en

Image Credits
Stella Vision Photography & Videography