We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelley Khoury. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelley below.

Kelley, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Operation Birthday started from a simple yearly family tradition. In 2018, I began taking my 3 year old niece Shelby-Ann shopping for birthday supplies: cake mix, frosting, candles – to donate to her local food bank. It was a way to teach her about gratitude and giving back on her own birthday explaining how other kids were not as fortunate. Recognizing that few nonprofits focus on birthdays, we created Operation Birthday to fill that gap and bring joy, dignity, and celebration to children who might otherwise go without. My niece is now 10 and I am grateful this birthday ritual grew into the incredible nonprofit it is today dedicated to making sure every child feels special on their birthday.

Kelley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At Operation Birthday, we believe every child deserves to be celebrated on their birthday. Since 2021, we’ve helped bring birthday joy to more than 1,275 children through personalized Birthday Kits, each one thoughtfully tailored to the child’s age, interests, and wishes.

What makes Operation Birthday unique is our 100% commitment to the kids. My husband and I personally cover all overhead costs, and we volunteer all of our time, so every single donation directly impacts a child.

Each kit is built with care and compassion. Parents are asked to customize the items and share their child’s preferences so the gift not only lights up a child’s day but also allows parents to feel the pride and dignity of being part of the process.

In a time when mental health matters more than ever, Operation Birthday is proud to create small moments of joy that make a big impact – reminding every child that they are seen, valued, and special. These are such important memories that will last a lifetime.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I feel incredibly fortunate for how Operation Birthday started. My husband’s story is one of resilience and hard work. Growing up with immigrant parents who didn’t speak the language and worked multiple jobs to provide for their four boys, he learned early the value of perseverance and gratitude. Through years of dedication, he built and eventually sold his own company, a milestone that became a blessing he felt called to pay forward.

His generosity and belief in giving back helped provide the foundation to bring my dream, Operation Birthday, to life. Together, we cover all overhead costs and volunteer our time, so every donation directly supports the kids we serve. Each birthday kit is designed to make a child feel seen and celebrated, while also helping parents feel the pride of providing that moment of joy for their child.

I’m grateful for this journey and for everyone who helps us spread birthday smiles to kids who need them most. Without our donors continuous support we would not be able to have the impact we do each year.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Our most effective strategy for growing Operation Birthday has been simple but powerful, word of mouth. In a world where you often only hear from people when something goes wrong, it’s incredible to see that the feedback we receive is full of gratitude and joy. Families share their positive experiences and tell others about the impact of our Birthday Kits and how they truly make a child feel seen and celebrated.

That kind of organic growth is priceless. It means we’re not just doing what we think is best – we are 100% meeting a need. The fact that more families are reaching out because they’ve heard good things reminds us that kindness, care, and dignity speak louder than any marketing campaign ever could.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.operationbirthday.org
• Instagram: @operationbirthday2
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/operationbirthday2/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/operationbirthday/
• Other: The Venmo handle for Operation Birthday is @operationbirthday — when searching in Venmo, select “Business” as the account type.