1. Hi Olivia, and congratulations on being featured as a globelle gal in focus ! Can you tell us where in the world we can currently find you?

Thanks for having me! I’m in Sydney, Australia (Rose Bay!) 

2) What inspired you to first start travelling?

The Mary Kate and Ashley movies haha! Aside from them, definitely my family. My mom has always felt that it’s important to get out and explore. When I was growing up, we went to different states in America, and then began traveling internationally. I've found the more you travel, the more it inspires you to continue to do so.

3) What's been your favourite place to visit, and why?

I have a lot of favourites! One of them is London. That was my first big international trip and it was as magical as I could have ever imagined. It was so cool to go somewhere that felt completely different from what I was used to, especially witnessing the music and fashion there.

I came back with a greater sense of the world and wanted to keep exploring. I went the year before my senior year of High School and I think that trip made me even more excited to go to California for Uni.  

4) Who would you say has been the most influential person to your travels, and why?

Definitely my mom. I grew up watching her traveling the world for work and she had no problem getting on a plane to go to a new country, even if it was just for a couple days. She’s very adventurous and always encourages me to travel and step outside of my comfort zone. 

5) What is the worst thing that's happened to you since being on the road? How did you deal with it?

Probably booking a hotel in a sketchy area in Europe. Luckily my friend and I were on the same page and so the next day we moved to a different area! We still had to pay for the place we had originally booked, but we figured we were only in that city for a couple days and wanted it to be a positive experience, and so we cut our loses and left.

(HQ: We loved this answer. When on the road, it's all about making the best value choices. Sometimes, this means spending more than we anticipated to ensure the best experience. As with anything, if in doubt, follow your gut.) 

6) Obviously life on the road is about fewer possessions and more moments, but what is the one thing you can't travel without?

I used to not be able to travel without my journal, but my last trip to Europe proved that sometimes even your favourite things need to be left behind in order for you to be more mobile!

Saying that, I kept at least a piece of paper in my suitcase at all times. I think it’s so important to be able to write down ideas when you’re traveling, because you never know when creative inspiration will hit. 

7) Since being on the road, you've started Don't Tell Summer, a brand which designs rad hats and gives a portion of the profits to a young person with a big dream. What inspired you to do this? 

I had been doing the blog ever since the last year of Uni, and being around all of the rad young people from Australia who were launching their own brands gave me the inspiration and courage that I could do the same.

Hats had always been a part of DTS. When we were in California we made really simple, yet colourful, hats to wear to parties with DontTellSummer across the side. They felt like a uniform for having fun and being ourselves. I wanted other people to feel that way and feel that they could be doing what they would love to do now and so Hats with a Purpose were made. 

Looking back at why I’ve been able to do the things that I’ve done is because I’ve had the confidence to just give it a go; to just start. Sometimes ,things may hold people back from following their dreams, including not having the money to just start.

Many times we don’t need a heap of money just to get the ball rolling and so I wanted to provide a way for all of these incredible dreams to be given their fair start. This is why a portion of every purchase goes into a fund to then give to a young person with a big dream. There’s a place on our website where you can go to apply, and we’re hoping to fund our first dreamer at the beginning of the new year (if not sooner!) 

8) How has travelling helped you pursue your dreams via Don't Tell Summer? What does your day to day role as the founder of this great brand involve?

Traveling has had a monumental impact on pursuing DTS. There’s something about being removed from your daily norm and the things you’ve grown up with that makes you feel like you can do anything. I kept telling myself, ‘You can always go home! Who cares? You don’t know anyone, just go for it.’

Sometimes, I think the fear of being rejected or failing keeps you from doing what excites you, but when you’re living so far away from home somehow that seemed to help me feel like I should just give things a go. I hope to take this mentality with me wherever I am!

As for my day to day role, alot of what I do involves meeting young people who are doing what they love. I’m so passionate about figuring out how they went about going for their dreams, how they are succeeding and how we can inspire and encourage others to do the same.

9) What do you hope to achieve one day through all of your hard work? 

I hope to travel a lot more. Sydney has been incredible for meeting and connecting with other young people who are doing what they love. It would be awesome to continue to travel elsewhere, meet new people and hear their stories. 

10) What does travelling mean to you?

Traveling means living in the moment in a new place. I think that’s why I love traveling so much. When I’m somewhere new and fully immersed in a new experience, I’m totally in the moment; I’m no longer waiting for something to come, and so I’m just trying to experience it all to the fullest. 

11) If you could offer one piece of advice to those travelling for the first time, either as part of a group or solo, what would it be? 

You are probably going to be scared, terrified even, to go for the first time. You might even feel like you’re not ready or that it’s not the right timing, but it is. It’s perfect. As soon as you take the leap and begin to travel you will be so excited and thankful that you did. 

12) And finally, how can girls get in touch with you, and involved with Don't Tell Summer?

They can find us on donttellsummer.com, or over on Instagram @donttellsummer. If they have a question about doing what they love or just want to run an idea by someone and gain extra support, they can email us at info@donttellsummer.com.