The eponymous founder of Orla Kelly Publishing shares her life and business lessons.
Orla Kelly is the founder of Orla Kelly Publishing. She helps coaches, consultants and leaders publish their best books to establish their thought leadership footprint.
Established in 2014, Orla’s company has published close to 250 books and works with clients across the globe.
“My son began writing a little story for his sister one night, and it inspired me to contribute and expand on it. Before I knew it, I was teaching myself how to publish books”
We recently sat down with Orla for a chat, and to find out more about her business.
Tell us about your background and the journey that brought you to where you are today?
I come from an environmental technical consultancy background. I have a Master’s in environmental chemistry, and my initial degree was in biochemistry. So, it’s been quite a journey to end up in book publishing! It was purely by accident, really. I stumbled into book publishing after I had my children.
I realised that my technical and analytical skills weren’t going to help much with parenting, and that’s when I started engaging more with storytelling. My son began writing a little story for his sister one night, and it inspired me to contribute and expand on it. Before I knew it, I was teaching myself how to publish books. Starting with that very story!
“My USP lies in helping people craft their message authentically and taking care of the entire design and publishing process, including print”
Why are you doing what you are doing now? What need are you meeting, and what’s your unique selling point (USP)?
Since I started back in 2014, I’ve published close to 250 books across 30 different categories, but my passion is working with business professionals who want to be seen as authorities in their fields. My ideal clients are coaches, consultants, trainers and experts who deliver excellent quality service and want to cut through the noise. They’re looking for a way to attract the right clients, and a book can really help them do that by establishing them as a leader in their industry. My USP lies in helping people craft their message authentically and taking care of the entire design and publishing process, including print.
How did you fund and start the business? And what are your growth plans?
I bootstrapped everything from the start. My business began in a box room with a tiny desk and a laptop. I taught myself everything from designing books to cover design. I started off publishing my children’s books, but it grew from there as people began asking me to help them with their projects. Initially, I did everything myself, but as the business grew, I started outsourcing work like cover design to trusted professionals. As for growth, I’m focused on expanding the services I offer, like audiobooks and more advanced design, while also improving my publishing skills.
“I don’t try to conform to what I think others expect of me; instead, I let people decide if I’m the right fit for them based on who I genuinely am”
What or who has helped you the most along the way? Who would you say is your greatest mentor or inspiration?
My children have been my greatest inspiration. They’re the reason I started this journey. Without them, I’d probably still be in a traditional workforce. But having the freedom to manage my own schedule, work with clients I love, and still be present for my family has been invaluable. They remind me every day why I do this. My greatest mentor in the business world would be Samantha Kelly, aka Tweeting Goddess. She’s been an incredible support since the early days, always promoting my work and offering advice. Her generosity of spirit really stands out to me.
What was the greatest piece of business advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received is to just be myself. When I’m true to myself, I communicate better, and that resonates with my clients. I don’t try to conform to what I think others expect of me; instead, I let people decide if I’m the right fit for them based on who I genuinely am. I’ve found that this authenticity builds stronger, more trusting relationships.
“Letting go and not trying to do everything myself has been the biggest challenge. I’ve had to learn that asking for help and outsourcing certain tasks doesn’t mean I’m losing control. It actually helps the business grow faster”
What circumstances or qualities do you think can make the difference between success and failure in life or business?
I think authenticity is key, as well as transparency in your business dealings. It’s important to set clear expectations with your clients from the start, and communication is everything. Being open and transparent, creating a safe space for your clients to trust you. That’s crucial to building long-term relationships.
What was the most challenging aspect of starting and growing your business?
Letting go and not trying to do everything myself has been the biggest challenge. I’ve had to learn that asking for help and outsourcing certain tasks doesn’t mean I’m losing control. It actually helps the business grow faster. I still struggle with that sometimes, but I’m getting better at it.
“I do feel that Irish firms lag behind, especially compared to my clients in the US and Canada. There’s a lot more awareness and use of digital tools abroad that could really benefit businesses here”
How did you navigate your business through the pandemic, and what lessons did you learn?
The pandemic was an incredibly busy time for me. Everyone suddenly had time to finish their books, and I had so many clients. Personally, it was a difficult time because my mother-in-law passed away from Covid, and my husband got sick as well. But throughout it all, I kept a calm front for my clients. I realised that people needed a space to process things, so I stepped into a more supportive role for them, almost like a coach. The biggest lesson I learned is that even in hard times, we can still create something positive, like the many books that were published during that period.
How has digital transformation played a role in scaling your business? Do you think Irish firms are using digital technology sufficiently?
Digital transformation has been crucial in streamlining my processes, from better book design tools to competitive research for my clients. But I do feel that Irish firms lag behind, especially compared to my clients in the US and Canada. There’s a lot more awareness and use of digital tools abroad that could really benefit businesses here.
If you were to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I would have niched down into non-fiction publishing much earlier. I treated the business like a hobby for too long, and it took me years to realise that I needed to approach it more seriously as a business. I’ve learned some hard lessons along the way, but they’ve made me stronger.
Who inspires you in business today, and what advice would you give to new talent in your organisation?
Samantha Kelly is definitely one of my biggest inspirations. Her willingness to support others and promote their work without expecting anything in return is incredible. For new hires, I look for people with the same transparency and dedication to helping clients. I need everyone on my team to be the best at what they do and to genuinely care about the clients we work with.
What would you tell your 21-year-old self, knowing what you know now?
I would tell her that life is one big adventure. Don’t get too hung up on things not working out, because often, something better is coming along. Every detour is a chance for something new and exciting.
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