The Heart Behind Ollivate

Let me share a little inside info about Ollivate with you.

I’m the one in the middle of two brilliant co-founders. There’s Dr. Joshua Olson, a CRNA and program director who eats, breathes, and sleeps anesthesia and is remarkable at every piece of it. And there’s Tyler, a self-taught software king who started coding when he was young and shows up every day working in his genius. Behind the three of us is an incredible team holding everything together.

And me? I’m the original voice of Ollivate.

The Feeling We Built Ollivate Around

From the very beginning, I was the one writing the emails, shaping the tone, and deciding exactly how I wanted residents, CRNAs, RNs, and every healthcare provider to feel when they interacted with Ollivate.

And it’s a real strength I bring to the team- through 20 years of education, I can confidently say that I am your best friend in the study group.

That is the whole idea. We wanted to build a company, and an app, that feels like the moment you open it you can exhale and think, “Oh good, I’m among friends. I have community here. Someone is cheering me on.”

We wanted technology to feel human- something that takes a complex topic and makes it understandable as only the friend next to you can. Something that teaches in a way that actually brings a little joy to the process, instead of dread.

A Partnership That Just Made Sense

We carried that idea into a conversation with Mick Harrison Brege, founder of a company calledWith Love. He offered to use his talent to create a mascot for us (and that of his team- shout out to Cass Balciunas, who did the animatons). We honestly didn’t know what he would come back with. We just told him who we are and what we do, and one essential thing: we want it to feel like your best friend in the study group.

Meet Olli the Dog

And he delivered. He came back to us with Olli the Dog.

You are going to be seeing a lot more of Olli. He is making his home in the app, on our website, and across our social media. And we could not be more thrilled.

Because Olli is not just a cute logo. He is a true representation of the real people and real founders behind Ollivate, and of what we are actually saying to you:

“I am with you. I’m not going to leave your side. I’m here to bring joy and comfort to a process that can feel intimidating. I’m here to help you make friends along the way, to connect with the community on the platform, and to help you reach every single one of your goals.”

Why a Mascot Matters More Than You’d Think

Studying for boards, applying to CRNA school, preparing for the CRRN, SEE or the NCE, even earning continuing ed credits: it can be lonely and heavy. The material is hard. The stakes are high. And too often, it feels like you are carrying all of it alone.

Olli exists to change that feeling. He is the friendly face that reminds you there are real people behind this platform who genuinely want you to succeed, and a whole community studying right alongside you.

Come Say Hi

So when you open Ollivate and Olli greets you, know that he is standing in for all of us: Dr. Olson, Tyler, me (hi, best friend!) and our entire team.

We built this to feel like friendship. Olli is how we say it out loud.

Welcome to the study group. We saved you a seat.

Meet Olli and study with friends at app.ollivate.com.