Where They are Now: Olivia Rose, CVLRC
When Olivia Rose founded the Chattahoochee Valley Learning Resource Center (CVLRC), her mission was clear: to build a space where learners of all ages could feel supported, empowered, and connected. Since graduating from StartUP Columbus, her organization has grown into exactly that—and more.
CVLRC now serves as a hub for education and community development, bridging gaps for homeschool families, neurodivergent learners, and anyone who needs flexible, inclusive support. “We’re building a network and community for our families,” Olivia shares. “That’s what this was always meant to be.”
But the journey wasn’t always straightforward. One of Olivia’s biggest challenges early on was figuring out who her target market truly was. StartUP Columbus helped her find clarity, refine her messaging, and make smart branding decisions—like choosing the name “Chattahoochee Valley” to signal her broader regional impact. “We’ve wisely expanded beyond Columbus,” she says, “and now have more brand awareness every single week.”
Through her time with StartUP, Olivia found a valuable mentor in Kat Cannella, who helped her navigate the ins and outs of launching and growing a mission-driven venture. “She helped me believe this could work,” Olivia says. “Clarity was the greatest gift I got from the program.”
That clarity continues to fuel her forward momentum. CVLRC is now in the process of building out Converge Park—a community-focused expansion designed to further their vision of education that adapts to real lives. Olivia, who also homeschools her children, is deeply embedded in the work both professionally and personally.
For other aspiring entrepreneurs, her advice is simple but powerful: “Be open to change, to flex and fluidity. That’s how growth happens.”
Reflecting on her journey, Olivia describes Columbus’ entrepreneurial community as a network of “webs of connection and support.” And while the road hasn’t always been easy, she’s proud of how far she’s come—and how many families now look to CVLRC as a place where learning feels like it truly belongs to them.
As CVLRC continues to evolve, one thing is certain: Olivia Rose is just getting started.
