In this episode, Colleen O'Connell-Campbell sits down with Elizabeth Kilvert, the founder and owner of The Unrefined Olive, an award-winning olive-oil and balsamic tasting bar in Ottawa.
Elizabeth shares how she transitioned from a career in environmental policy to running a thriving retail business rooted in quality, sustainability, and community connection. She and Colleen unpack the realities of small-business ownership - from managing risk and growth to understanding what a "cash-rich" exit looks like when your brand is deeply personal.
Key Highlights
From public service to entrepreneurship: How Elizabeth took a leap from government to business ownership and built a loyal following from scratch.
Lessons in resilience: The role of adaptability and creativity when facing economic changes, global supply-chain shifts, and market pressures.
Community over competition: Why Elizabeth believes relationships - not just revenue - define a business's long-term success.
Defining legacy as a founder: What it means to build something that reflects your values, supports local economies, and still allows you to plan for the next chapter.
Preparing for transition: Elizabeth's reflections on creating optionality - how to design a business that can run, evolve, or sell on your own terms.
🎧 Tune In To Learn
How to apply a mission-driven lens to small-business ownership
Why emotional connection can still align with financial value
What founders can do early to create transferable, resilient businesses
If you're an entrepreneur who wants to grow your company with both heart and value, this episode is for you.
💬 Connect with Colleen
If you're a Canadian business owner planning your own cash rich exit, it's never too early to start.
Connect with host Colleen O'Connell-Campbell on LinkedIn
Request a complimentary Wealth Gap Analysis to see where you stand on your exit timeline
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