A Conversation with Gina Oliver, Co-Founder of Wave Enterprise!

Meet Gina Oliver, the co-founder of Wave Enterprise, a pioneering venture specializing in podcast and social media management for wellness entrepreneurs. With a focus on the 'why' behind each brand, Gina and her team take charge of the 'how,' enabling these brands to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Join us as we delve into Gina's journey, her insights, and the empowering impact of Wave Enterprise in the world of wellness entrepreneurship.

1. Gina, Tell us about your journey so far. You have lived and worked all over the world from The Philippines to Malta. Tell us about your experiences. 

I became a digital nomad on purpose, an entrepreneur on accident. I moved to the Philippines in 2019 with my husband & cat after feeling utterly burnt out with my teaching career in the U.S. Long story short— the wifi wasn’t strong enough for me to continue working as an online teacher (the job I set up before moving abroad) so after a minor quarter-life crisis, my husband invited me to carry out the marketing for our already established business— Wave Enterprise Co. Since then, I’ve never looked back. 

2. How do you build a network and find a community while constantly on the move, and how do you manage to maintain productivity while exploring new places?

My husband is a DJ which has allowed us to naturally meet a lot of cool people quickly around the world. We’ve also done WorkAways (work exchange program) which has also allowed us to create an instant community. Other than that, we’ve learned to stay in places longer (1 year +) so that we allow ourselves time to create community through in-person events and finding our people in Facebook groups.

3. What were the biggest cultural shocks you experienced when moving to a new country?

While we thought the first country we moved to, The Philippines, wouldn’t be as big of a culture shock because they spoke English– we were mistaken. The biggest culture shock for us was how crowded Manila was & the fact that they cross the street wherever they are and somehow don’t get hit by cars. We also learned in all the countries we’ve visited that despite cultural differences, people will help you if you ask for it.

4. Talk us through being a podcast host and social media manager for female-owned wellness brands. What are your top tips for creating engaging content that resonates with your audience and promotes wellness effectively?

To me, creating content for wellness brands means I need to operate from a place of wellness. Meaning, I need to mentally, physically, and spiritually ensure that my cup is full before giving to others. It’s still a work in process, but taking breaks even if it’s just the day off or a couple days to get recentered is really essential. 

Some of the top tips I have for creating aligned content are to not overthink it and to listen to your community. Sometimes we feel like we need the best equipment or to follow all these rules to please the algorithm, but really we just need to listen more carefully to our audience and speak from our heart. 

5. Tell us more about your business Wave Enterprise. What was the driving force behind this business venture? What is life like as a female Co- Founder? What challenges have you faced along the way?

Our business started before we moved abroad as a record label that my husband founded, but as I grew into our business it has evolved into a team that helps women manage their podcasts and amplify their message on social media. Our mission is to help everybody gain the knowledge and resources they need to live a life that’s healthy in all aspects– financially, physically, spiritually, and mentally. We especially strive to life up minority voices through our work. 

Life as a female co-founder is hectic, but balanced and fulfilling. It brings me joy to learn more about women’s health and other realms of wellness and help people grow their community and see their brand at it’s most elevated state.

When I first started I was overwhelmed with the possibilities of remote work, running an online business, and figuring out how to work with my husband. It took a lot of trial and error, but we finally got to the place where we’ve merged our skillsets and uniquely positioned ourselves in the market.  

6. You live in Malta now! Tell us about your expat life there? What are the key legal considerations for expats in Malta?

I’m not going to lie…island life is my cup of tea! We live on Malta’s sister island, Gozo which is smaller and much more quiet compared to the mainland. After many years of traveling we prefer to be surrounded by nature. This is our first time on a nomad visa which was a pretty straightforward, but longer than we expected process. With the nomad visa you have to meet certain criteria (see more details here), have their health insurance, and stay in the country for at least 6 months. The benefits of this visa are that you have access to the entire Schengen area and do not have to pay taxes here in Malta.

7. Can you share a memorable story from your expat journey that had a significant impact on you?

I was once in Taiwan and couldn’t find the bus stop so I stopped into a local restaurant to ask for directions. In Taiwan, they don’t speak English, especially outside of major cities, so the owner of the restaurant personally escorted my husband & I to the bus stop. It was a simple yet profound gesture that speaks volumes about their culture. It also made me realize even if someone doesn’t speak the same language as you– they can still help you if needed.

8. What advice would you offer to women who are considering embarking on a journey of becoming an expat entrepreneur and leading a digital nomadic lifestyle?

You’re never too old. I’ve met women 60+ living this lifestyle. I’d also recommend to try out working remotely first or traveling first and not to do both at the same time like I did. It’s too much to take on all at once. 

9. Can you share a successful marketing campaign you’ve implemented?

Yes! As the social media managers & consultants for an Inclusive Pilates Studio in New York, our teamwork has helped the studio go from not understanding where to focus energy on social media to a solid strategy and 436% increase in link clicks in 11 months.

10. Lastly, what are your future goals and aspirations for your personal and professional life?

5 years from now I’ll have grown my family with some kiddos, be nestled down on an island somewhere with a luscious garden. I’ll have almost completely outsourced the day-to-day operations of Wave Enterprise Co and be fully stepping into CEO mode. I hope to have plans in the works to start a new branch of Wave focused on wellness retreats for women focused on intimate connections, reconnecting with self, and of course making some amazing content together!

Connect with Gina:

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

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