We recently connected with Courtney O’Keeffe and have shared our conversation below.
Courtney, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
The Able Press initially started as an online shop creating relatable cards for moms on their postpartum journey. Everywhere I looked to buy cards, all I found were cards for the baby and I wanted to change that! A mothers journey is important, and what better way to acknowledge that than with a handwritten note!
The Able Press has since evolved into a healing container for myself and my community. I have been on a healing journey over the past 2 years, that I was able to express through artwork, conversation and sound healing.
I was sexually abused as a child and decided to share my story through a new product line called irreplaceABLE. It began with a silk scarf and my survivor story. Each scarf sold contains a $30 donation to RAINN, the nations largest anti-sexual violence organization. Coming out with my story was one of the scariest things I have ever done, but has made such an impact. Since launching, The Able Press has donated over $700 to RAINN and expanded the irreplaceABLE line to include many more products that also include donations to RAINN. The conversations I have had around this new venture, lead me to start The Able Podcast, where I have other amazing humans on to share their life experiences. We are never alone, no matter how difficult things may feel, and I have found it so important to vocalize and share these things with others.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Mission Statement:
The Able Press is dedicated to creating relatABLE, lovABLE and capABLE conversation through artwork and unique experiences. Booking intuitive branding services, with The Able Press, is like visually manifesting all the big dreams for your small business. The art in the irreplacABLE line gives a new meaning to shop with purpose, where 20% is donated to the RAINN organization, helping support survivors of sexual violence. The Able Press is a safe space for healing in community. Experience a Sound Bath to balance your 7 chakras or press play on The Able Podcast to hear real life experiences from amazing humans.
About Courtney:
Courtney O’Keeffe is a mom of two little ladies, who loves rap music, pulling tarot cards and enjoys a hot cup of tea. She has worked in the graphic design industry for 10 years, with a background in experiential marketing and branding, working with large brands such as AT&T, Hilton, Facebook and Google. After giving birth to her first child, she decided to leave to corporate world and become a contract designer. The Able Press was created while she was pregnant with her second child, and was truly born from passion. This drive to create meaningful art and connections is the foundation of the brand and has created an environment for a fluid business structure. It grows and shifts as Courtney does.
Online Shop:
The Able Press has an online print shop where you can find unique greeting cards for holidays and postpartum, seasonal gift wrap, personalized holiday cards and special novelties for gift giving! All illustrated and designed by Courtney. The online shop also features the irreplaceABLE line, where 20% of each sale is donated to the RAINN organization.
Services:
Branding Have you ever heard the phrase, when it comes to your health, 80% if what you eat and 20% is exercise? This is the way The Able Press likes to think about branding. 80% of your brand is YOU, who you are, what you are about, and your voice. The 20% left is your graphics and visuals, the exercise behind who you are, putting yourself out there visually.
The Able Press takes an intuitive approach with out-of-the-box brand research such as mini business astrology birth chart studies, chakra color analysis and discussing goals you would like to manifest within your business. These techniques result in a one-of-a-kind brand aesthetic that is authentic to you and your small business.
Sound Bath Experience
Meditation is a large passion for Courtney, and as a certified sound healer, through The Integrative Healing Academy, she provides in-home Sound Bath experiences for her clients as well as occasional large group events. She uses a combination of crystal singing bowls at 432hz tuned to the 7 chakras, 2 earth element chimes and an ocean drum to create a relaxing environment for meditation and healing.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The Able Press has always been a side hustle for me. My first and most important job is being present with my family as a stay-at-home mom. I have so many dreams for the business but have learned that it is imperative for me to be flexible when it comes to the hours and clients I take on. When I first began the business as an online paper shop, I was doing lots of seasonal markets to get more eyes on my products and network. After a year of doing markets, I learned that this was not the right setting for me or my business. I left markets so depleted and unable to really recharge for my kids. They took up a lot of time and energy with little reward for my business. I decided to shift into more things I am passionate about like branding services, meditation, and podcasting. Even though these things take up time and energy, I leave those settings feeling recharged and satisfied. Being able to pivot and be flexible in my services as my family dynamic changes has been very important. There are some weeks when the kids are sick, where I get nothing done, and during those times I am so grateful to have found clients who understand my values and are flexible with me as well.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the largest things I had to unlearn or shift my mindset on when it comes to my business, is that working really hard doesn’t always equal making more money. In actuality I have made more money on services I truly enjoy rather than working really hard on the things I thought I should be doing. Comparison was a large factor in that as well. As a designer, it is easy to look and see what everyone else is doing, and begin to doubt yourself. Anytime I did that and the doubt crept in, I ended up creating products or services that were not in alignment with who I am or what my business is about. I would work really hard to “fit in” and it would flop. I have learned when I follow my own passions and that comes through in my work, it ends up much more successful than just going with the mold. So now I try to follow my intuition when it comes to all things The Able Press. If it feels good and right, then it is right, but if I have any doubts about anything I will not move forward with that endeavor. Much easier said than done, but it is a constant practice I work on not only in business but in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theablepress.com
- Instagram: @theablepress
- Other: The Able Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/theablepodcast/