We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison Odhner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Over the years, running a business while raising a family has come with its fair share of challenges. Yet, through every obstacle, the thought of giving up has never crossed my mind. Bach to Basic is more than just my work—it’s my passion. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to not only love what I do but to truly mean it when I say so.

I firmly believe that if your business or career adds value to your life and brings you fulfillment, it’s worth fighting for—even if it needs to evolve over time. Adaptation is key, and if you truly love what you do, find a way to make it work for you instead of walking away. However, if your business is draining you mentally, physically, or financially, it may be time to reassess. Rather than giving up entirely, consider pivoting—sometimes, a fresh approach can breathe new life into your work. Life is too short to be stuck in something that no longer serves you!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey to where I am today has been anything but linear, yet every step has made perfect sense. I graduated from Gettysburg College in 2008 with a double major in Psychology and Spanish, initially planning to pursue a career in social work. After graduation, I spent a year in Huelva, Spain, teaching English and indulging my love of travel.

Upon returning to the U.S., I moved to San Diego for an AmeriCorps program, where I ran a mentoring program for at-risk youth in two elementary schools. After completing my service, I transitioned to a nonprofit in Newark, NJ—Volunteer Lawyers for Justice—working closely with the Director of Development. It was there that my passion for event planning truly took shape.

From there, I joined The Boston Consulting Group in Philadelphia as an Events and Facilities Coordinator, where I spent 3.5 years organizing large-scale, luxury corporate events. Though I often joked about starting my own business, it wasn’t until I got married in 2016 that the idea for Bach to Basic was born. And the rest, as they say, is history!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m sure I’m not the only entrepreneur who has read You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. This book isn’t just a source of encouragement for those looking to start a business—it’s equally valuable for those already deep in the journey. For me, it served as a powerful reminder to reflect inward, embrace new opportunities (whether they come my way or I create them myself), and continuously push beyond my comfort zone. It’s easy to fall into routine, but real growth—both personally and professionally—comes from taking on new challenges, evolving your business, and even learning from mistakes.

Website: https://www.bachtobasic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bachtobasic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bach-to-basic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BachtoBasicPodcast

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