From Flowers to Berries: Olivia’s Full-Circle Journey
If you wandered into Morning After on a Saturday back in 2017, you might’ve seen Olivia Tarau lugging buckets of flowers through the door, setting up her little stall as West End woke up around her. Fast forward a few years, and Olivia—now co-founder of Mt. Wilder Berries—is leading one of Australia’s most exciting organic health food brands. We caught up with her to talk about those early days at Morning After, the lessons that shaped her journey, and what’s next for Mt. Wilder.
Olivia & her flower stall at Morning After in 2017.
Can you take us back to those weekends when you were selling flowers at Morning After? What stands out the most when you think about that time?
Those weekends were such a special chapter for me. I remember lugging buckets of fresh flowers into the café early in the morning, the smell of coffee in the air, and the energy of West End waking up around us. It was grassroots, community-driven, and such a creative outlet. I loved seeing people light up when they picked up a bunch to take home.
Do you have a favourite memory or a funny story from those flower stall days?
One weekend, for some reason, there were so many flies hanging around the flowers. I couldn’t figure out why! I’d be chatting to a customer and we just couldn’t escape them. At one point a fly landed near my mouth and I almost ate it mid-conversation. We laughed it off, but it’s one of those moments that’s stuck with me.
Looking back, how do you think that experience shaped you, or nudged you toward what you’re doing now?
It taught me the value of connection and storytelling in business. Selling flowers wasn’t just about the product—it was about how people felt when they took them home. That mindset really influenced how we’ve built Mt. Wilder Berries: every product we create is about more than health; it’s about creating experiences and memories for people.
What first inspired you (and your husband) to start Mt. Wilder Berries?
We were passionate about wild, organic food and frustrated by how hard it was to find truly pure, unadulterated products in Australia. When we first tasted wild blueberries from Sweden, we were blown away by the flavour and health benefits. We wanted to share that—to bring something authentic, organic, and powerful to the local market.
What’s been the biggest challenge and the biggest joy in building the brand?
The biggest challenge has been navigating the supply chain and compliance side of things—shipping products halfway across the world, staying organic certified, and making sure everything is absolutely top quality. But the biggest joy is hearing from our customers, whether it’s a family who uses our juices every morning, or a café who builds a menu item around our frozen berries. Those stories make the late nights and logistics worth it.
Did you ever imagine back then, selling flowers at MA, that you’d end up creating a nationwide organic health food company?
Not at all! At the time, I just loved the creativity and connection of those weekends. But looking back, it was the seed that grew into something bigger. I think the entrepreneurial spirit was always there—Morning After was just the first stage of the journey.
If you could give your “flower stall self” one piece of advice from where you are now, what would it be?
I’d tell myself not to be afraid of starting small. Every big thing begins that way. Those buckets of flowers were the foundation for something I couldn’t see yet—and that’s the magic of just starting.
How do you think Morning After (and West End more broadly) has changed in the 10 years since?
West End has always had a creative, eclectic energy, and it’s grown so much since then. There’s more choice, more cafés, more buzz. Morning After itself has become an iconic institution, which is incredible to witness.
What’s it like seeing Mt. Wilder Berries now featured on the menu here—full circle from where it all began?
It’s surreal, honestly. To see our products being used in the same space where I once stood selling flowers... it feels like everything has come full circle. It’s a proud moment and a reminder of how far we’ve come.
What’s next for Mt. Wilder Berries?
We’re always dreaming bigger. Right now, we’re expanding our juice and powder ranges and exploring some exciting collaborations. We’re also really focused on sustainability and continuing to innovate in ways that honour our roots—wild, organic, and uncompromisingly high-quality.
The Morning After Berry Cloud Smoothie crafted with Mt Wilder Berries.