Hidden Gems: Meet Olivia Polash of Premiere Strings

Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Polash.

Hi Olivia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been playing cello since I was eight years old, and I saw Yo-Yo Ma play on Sesame Street. I was heavily involved in all kinds of music growing up, and I knew I wanted to have some kind of career in the arts. I started gigging in college, before I even became a music major. I played my first wedding as a sophomore, and I absolutely loved getting to be a part of such an integral moment in someone’s life.

I continued playing weddings and other gigs casually through college and after. In 2022, while I was in grad school, I decided I wanted to make more of my wedding music business. I started Olivia Polash music and started investing in advertising and branding. A year later, I rebranded to Premiere Strings to better represent the collective of musicians we have. We have had several successful wedding seasons, and we are excited to continue growing!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There is a lot to learn when starting a business. One of the biggest things has been how to juggle and manage the financial side of things. The first couple of years, I didn’t keep very good track of things, and it made taxes at the end of the year an absolute nightmare! I finally started working with an accountant, and he has really helped me get a better handle on everything.

Now the biggest challenge is balancing the expenses with the income. It’s hard to know how much I should spend each year on things like advertising, branding, services, etc. when I don’t always know how many weddings we will book. It also seems like the wedding industry is shifting, and more and more couples are opting for small and casual weddings, for which live music often doesn’t fit into the picture. I’m working on ways to present our services that will appeal to all couples, no matter what size wedding they have or what the vision is for their day – strings fit any occasion!

As you know, we’re big fans of Premiere Strings. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Premiere Strings is a Cleveland-based collective offering live event music services. Small string ensembles are available to play music in any requested style, including classical, pop, oldies, rock, country, religious, and more. We play most often for weddings, but we also offer packages for private and corporate events.

The luxury client experience and the high quality of musicianship set Premiere Strings apart from other similar music collectives. Couples often note the ease of the process, the top-tier communication, the ravings of the wedding guests, and the ability to customize and select their songs. We maintain excellent standards of service in all these areas, making for a smooth, easy, and enjoyable experience for couples.

At the heart of everything we do lies one central truth: music is superior when it is experienced live in person. Music is such a major part of all of our lives, more than many realize. When live music is present at something so important as a wedding, it brings the vitality of the experience to the forefront, elevating the entire event. Live music sets the mood and tone for the day, makes guests feel welcome and prioritized, makes the couple feel elegant and important, and makes all of the feelings of the day more memorable and special because it can never be recreated the same way again. Those feelings, experiences, and memories are worth the investment.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I have been reading “12 Rules for Life” by Jordan Peterson, and I really connect with the perspectives he brings forth in this book. I keep many of his rules at the forefront of how I live.

Additionally, I listen to the Spitballers Podcast on repeat all the time when I am in the car. It may seem silly that a lighthearted comedy podcast would be so important to me, but it has become a staple for my everyday life. Being able to relax and unwind, remind myself not to take anything too seriously, and have fun exploring frivolous questions and topics helps me stave off anxiety and enjoy the little things in live. It improves my overall perspective and outlook, and keeps me feeling happy and satisfied.

I also have been focusing on my holistic health over the last few years. I enjoy cooking, exercising, self-care habits, prayer, and staying social to remain healthy in every area of my life. This keeps me at my best physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.premierestringscle.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/premierestrings.cle
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@premierestringscle