Fashion Design Student? Camilla Olson Provides Hope for Succes$ at any Age
After 30 years of various positions within the healthcare industry including marketing, a vice president of a venture capital firm and starting four companies, Renaissance Woman Camilla Olson decided it was time for a big change...at age 57. "I heard or saw an ad in the Bay Area about an upcoming Academy of Art University open house. I wanted to take my daughter as she was interested in fashion. I had no expectations that my visit would be meaningful to me," explains Camilla. "I enrolled within a month or two."
And after so many years of hands-on business experience, Olson knew how to launch her own business. "After business school," continues the 2010 Fashion Design graduate, "I was a venture capitalist and looked at how businesses were formed and grew. The lessons I learned there were invaluable to getting my new business started." As a result, she designed the buzzed-about red silk gown worn by Betsy (mom of James) Franco to the 83rd Oscars and most recently partnered with Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley.
Business is now booming to the point that she's begun hiring from within the ranks. "I'm employing two Academy of Art University graduates full-time. Another is interning full-time; and I'd like to hire her full time in the New Year. Finally, two more potential interns are arriving this week. I expect they will be terrific too."
Her line is chic blend of stylish & wearable - distilling her varied experiences, both in business and in life. "I want to thank the instructors for giving me key skills, for not giving up on me, and for not letting me give up on myself," she notes, adding: "Learn whatever you can from your instructors, then practice as much as you can. I love what I have learned and it has opened a new world to me, one that is very satisfying."
- Lesley Scott
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