The Olganna brand I've had in mind for a very long time. As long as I've wanted to run/own/start my own business. It started out as a shop when I was in college, but technology has moved on and internet based is where I'm at now.
My name is Helen Grochowina. Not very catchy so I knew I had to come up with something else. My uncle joked once about Gucci, Chanel, Fendi, Grochowina. I repeat, not very catchy and it's been there, in the back of my mind along with Olganna.
Olga is my Nanna. 93 years old and now living just a mile up the road so I see lots of her thankfully. She's really called Praksydia, again, not very catchy. I am 100% Polish by the way. During the 2nd WW, my Nanna had to leave Poland and stayed in Germany and Olga was just easier to say than Praksydia so they called her Olga and it stuck through her time in Germany and when she came to England.
Olganna.
My Grandma was called Anna, smiley and welcoming. She too came from Poland after the war telling me she got on the wrong boat and ended up in Liverpool instead of Canada! She was a wonderful gardener, her back garden in gloomy Glodwick always a riot of colour, her allotment crowded with produce which my Nanna, Olga used to cook for me.
A lovely pair who often spent time together and now are tagged together as Olganna.
I can't thank them enough for the memories they gave me. I feel so lucky. I don't think they'll ever know.