What a ride it’s been.
We launched Wild Olive in early March 2008 – right about the time the economy was tanking.
But for God, it was right on schedule. Just days after our website going live, I “won” a day trip to Ree’s ranch for me and a girlfriend. To do some cooking and well… hang out with the Pioneer Woman.
Honestly, I was so excited when I opened the email from Ree with “Congratulations, come on down to the ranch!” I chipped a tooth on my coffee cup.
Yeah, I’m cool like that.
Colleen, my Wild Olive partner and also one of my very bestest friends, went with me. Sweaty-pitted and giggling like nervous high-school girls, we made our way down to Ree’s ranch, where we laughed, talked and ate our way through an afternoon of learning to make cake balls.
From the queen of the cake ball herself, Bakerella.
It was crazy, y’all.
Even crazier was when, just a few days later, she posted about the day on her website. And happened to mention our teeny-tiny-baby t-shirt company.
Within hours we had over $10,000 in orders.
That is how Wild Olive began. Almost 5 years ago.
And tomorrow, we will close our doors.
So grateful for every minute. For some stay-at-home moms who had never run a small business, designed a t-shirt or marketed a product, the learning curve was enormous. But He was faithful.
We learned how to work Adobe Illustrator, pick a color palette and find the perfect font. And whole lot more.
God changed my heart. He showed me where I was holding on to things – even good things – too tightly.
He showed me that letting go is sometimes the hardest thing to do. And He showed me that being obedient – no matter what things look like from the outside – is always the best thing to do.
4 years and 11 months. 8953 orders.
Almost every dollar was put back into new shirts. No one got a paycheck. And no one cared. We were being obedient to what we felt called to do.
We were blessed in so many other ways, too. We were able to help support fundraising families in the process of bringing home their babies, from all over the world. We were able to help fund a heart surgery through So Loved, and witness as sweet Grace joined her forever family. And we heard sweet, sweet stories from many of y’all who had been encouraged, blessed and bolstered by God as He used His Word on one of our tees to minister to your heart.
It was a blessing in every way.
Maybe someday I’ll give it another go. As a ministry this time, to support Kingdom work worldwide. But that’s up to Him.
I know that the end of one thing is always the beginning of another. Maybe this new season in my life is to simply rest in Him. Or maybe He has something new, right around the corner. Either way, I know it’s going to be for my good and His glory.
For now we’re selling it all. And as a final “thank you” to our loyal and beloved supporters, we’re giving another 20% off 1/2 off*.
Because it’s all His anyway.
And it sure would make me smile to know that each and every tee that Wild Olive made has a home of its own.
There’s not a whole lot left, but there are still a few super cute designs. And for just $6 for kids tees and $7.50 for women’s tees, why not?
Check out the kids’ tees here.
And the women’s tees here.
And remember to use THANKYOU at checkout.
*does not apply to So Loved – 100% of proceeds from So Loved will go to fund a heart surgery for a child in China.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Amber says
Sad that it’s ending, but what a fun journey you’ve had!!
Lisa says
Any chance you might consider using the artwork from the tees for people to buy and download to print as affirmation as affirmation art? I’d love to be able to do this with the so loved design.
Lori says
I’m sad too! I love my Wild Olive tees so much.
(Have you considered selling the business?)
Allison says
Your appearance in Ree’s post was how I found out about your t-shirts, then your blog. I’ve been a happy follower ever since! Blessings in your new adventures!
Ty says
I will miss it a lot. I’m trying to think of what else there is to get people for their birthdays and other gift givng occasions. π
Anna Lokey says
I didn’t realize you guys were going to shut down. What a ride! It was an outstanding ministry and I am so thankful that my family got to participate in it and will get to continue to enjoy all the great artwork. π
Kate says
Aww, so sad. Emotional goodbye here. I had so many people approach me asking where I got my shirts and asking about the verses on the back. Your ministry was huge.
I plan on ordering another shirt or two later today.
Will the website be shut down and deleted completely? As of tomorrow there will not be a http://www.wildolivetees.com in existance?
Very sad y’all are closing, but its God’s call so its good.
Not sure where to buy my shirts anymore now π
NiHaoYall says
I’m emotional about it all, too. Glad you love your Wild Olive tees, Kate π
Meganblaire says
I agree with Lisa! Also, I know they’re aren’t many left, but I would like to snag a couple…BUT I don’t get paid until tomorrow! π what’s the absolute latest these will be sold??
Connie J says
Sister, your beautiful tees helped bring home 5 of my kiddos through your fundraising families ministry! We have been so blessed by WOT! I still have 10 in my closet and just ordered 5 more. I love the tees, but even more, I love your obedience to the LORD! May He bless you as you continue to seek Him, sister.
Jedi Mama says
Well… I am procrastinating on the laundry right now, because I hate laundry. I hate laundry, and we only have two children, and now I feel guilty for hating it, because I honestly cannot even imagine the size of YOUR laundry hill at the end of every day. While I was putting off doing the laundry, I had a cup of tea and found your blog, quite by accident, and I ADORE IT!! I’ve been hopping all over the place, clicking on this adoption story and that adoption story, and wow! Your blog is amazing, your family is beautiful, and I’m going to have to ask for forgiveness for coveting your fantastic photography skills. I still don’t understand aperture and ISO and blah, blah, blah at all, no matter how hard I try!
Anyway… we have two boys — one we gave birth to and one we adopted, through a genuine miracle — so I LOVE adoption stories. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE adoption stories. We have three couples here in our hometown who are all close friends with us, and they’ve all ventured over to China to bring a little honey home, and one of my very best friends leaves the US on February 12th with her husband to go bring their special needs daughter home from China, too. They’re going to name her Janie, she’s beyond beautiful, she’s almost two years old, and she has club feet that are going to require extensive surgeries. We can hardly wait for her to get home, where she belongs, because she is gonna be one loved little girl! Naturally, I have sobbed over all their adoption stories, because it’s so close to my own heart. Our adoption story was a domestic adoption, but nothing short of a genuine miracle handed to us from Jesus Himself.
So, I just thought I’d leave a little note and tell you that this blog of yours is so fun, and I’d love to invite you over for coffee some day, and have you bring the troops, because I’m sure our two boys would find some good buddies in your children! Keep up the good work here, Girl.
Cindy LH says
I will miss Wild Olive and the super cute t-shirts! Thank you for all your hard work on Wild Olive! Thank you for the great sale!