Kelly O’Shea is a mother, author, entrepreneur, and public relations professional with more than two decades of experience in brand building, luxury travel, and strategic communications. As the founder of Kelly O’Shea Public Relations, Butterfly Public Relations, and the Palm Beach North Wellness Collective, she is passionate about creating meaningful connections, fostering collaboration, and helping others share their stories. Having faced profound personal challenges, including the loss of her husband and her journey to recovery from addiction, O’Shea has embraced resilience and reinvention, chronicling her experiences in her memoir, How To Fall In Shit And Come Out Smelling Like A Rose. Through her podcast, Cruising Altitude: Life Above the Turbulence, and her professional endeavors, she inspires others to overcome adversity, embrace authenticity, and recognize that life’s most difficult chapters can lead to beautiful new beginnings.
Here is the Q&A session we had with Kelly O’Shea.
Kelly O’Shea As Cover Story Interview – October 2026 Magazine Edition
How do you introduce yourself?
I’m Kelly O’Shea—a mother, author, entrepreneur, public relations professional, and a woman who has lived enough lives to fill several books.
I’ve spent more than two decades building brands, creating meaningful connections, and telling stories that deserve to be heard. I founded Kelly O’Shea Public Relations in 2011 and recently expanded my work through Butterfly Public Relations, focusing on strategic communications, partnerships, business development, and community relations.
My career has taken me from luxury resorts throughout the Caribbean and Mexico to private aviation, yachting, and luxury villa experiences. Today, I continue to work with brands including Fly Alliance and Premier St. Barth, combining my passion for luxury travel with strategic public relations and meaningful connections.
I’m also the founder of the Palm Beach North Wellness Collective, a growing community of businesses and professionals dedicated to making wellness more accessible through collaboration and meaningful connections.
But my greatest accomplishment isn’t professional. It’s being a mother to my son, Dylan, and creating a life we’re both proud of.
I’m also the author of How To Fall In Shit And Come Out Smelling Like A Rose, a memoir about resilience, recovery, love, loss, and the extraordinary power of reinvention.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that our stories don’t end when life falls apart. Sometimes that’s exactly where the most beautiful chapters begin.
Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?
I’ve experienced addiction, devastating heartbreak, profound loss, and moments when I genuinely didn’t know how I would find my way forward.
In 2020, I lost my husband, Charles, leaving me to navigate grief while raising our young son. Losing someone you love changes everything, especially when you’re suddenly responsible for creating a new normal for your child.
My journey with addiction was another defining chapter. I’ve been alcohol-free since August 1, 2021, and that decision fundamentally transformed my life.
Recovery wasn’t simply about removing alcohol. It was about confronting myself, breaking destructive patterns, healing generational wounds, and learning to live with intention.
There were times when I lost sight of who I was. But every difficult chapter taught me something about strength, accountability, forgiveness, and the importance of choosing yourself.
That’s ultimately why I wrote my book.
I wanted people to understand that your past doesn’t have to dictate your future. You can make mistakes, experience tremendous loss, and still build a beautiful life.
I’m living proof that you can fall into some pretty deep shit and still come out smelling like a rose.
What do people usually not know about you?
People see the publicist, the entrepreneur, the woman attending events, building businesses, and connecting people throughout Palm Beach.
What they don’t always see is how much I value the quiet moments.
I’m actually happiest at home with my son, cooking dinner, reading a good book, or simply enjoying the life I’ve worked so hard to create.
I’ve lived in New York City, worked with luxury resorts throughout the Caribbean and Mexico, and built a career that has introduced me to extraordinary people and experiences.
But these days, success looks very different to me.
It’s peace. It’s freedom. It’s being present for my son. It’s waking up every morning knowing that I’m living authentically.
And perhaps something else people don’t realize is that I’m not afraid to start over.
I’ve reinvented myself more times than I can count, and I’ve learned that reinvention isn’t a sign of failure.
It’s often a sign of growth.
What sets you apart from others?
I think what sets me apart is my ability to connect people, recognize opportunities, and turn relationships into something meaningful.
Public relations has never been just about publicity for me.
It’s about understanding people, identifying their strengths, and helping them tell their stories in ways that create lasting impact.
I’ve spent more than 20 years working across hospitality, luxury travel, aviation, yachting, lifestyle, and entrepreneurship. Those experiences have given me a unique perspective on business development and brand positioning.
Working with brands like Fly Alliance and Premier St. Barth has taught me that luxury isn’t simply about exclusivity. It’s about exceptional experiences, personalized service, and relationships built on trust. Whether I’m connecting clients with private aviation, extraordinary villas in St. Barth, or new business opportunities, my approach has always been relationship-driven.
But beyond professional experience, I bring something equally important to the table: life experience.
I’ve experienced extraordinary success and tremendous personal challenges. Both have shaped how I approach business and relationships.
I don’t believe in competition when collaboration can create something greater.
That’s one of the reasons I launched the Palm Beach North Wellness Collective. I wanted to build a community where businesses could support one another, share resources, and grow together.
I believe the strongest brands are built on authenticity, trust, and genuine human connection.
And I believe there’s room for all of us to succeed.
What are your upcoming major events?
November 2026 is an incredibly exciting month for me, both personally and professionally.
On November 14, I’m launching Season Two of my podcast, Cruising Altitude: Life Above the Turbulence, with new episodes airing every Saturday at 10 a.m.
The podcast features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and individuals who have navigated life’s challenges while continuing to grow personally and professionally.
On November 16, the audiobook edition of my memoir, How To Fall In Sh*t And Come Out Smelling Like A Rose, will officially launch.
Recording the audiobook has been an emotional and deeply meaningful experience. Hearing my own words spoken aloud has brought me back through so many chapters of my life.
On November 19, I’ll celebrate the audiobook release at Jack’s Bar inside The Nora in West Palm Beach, in conjunction with Bosses in Heels Palm Beach.
The evening will also feature a conversation about public relations, personal branding, and the power of sharing your story.
Professionally, I’m continuing to expand Butterfly Public Relations and the Palm Beach North Wellness Collective, creating new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs throughout South Florida.
I’m also looking forward to the upcoming season in St. Barth, where I continue to work with Premier St. Barth on luxury villa experiences. In April 2027, we’re planning a special women’s experience on the island, bringing together influential women for connection, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences. I’m also continuing my work in private aviation with Fly Alliance.
And on a personal note, I’ll celebrate my 46th birthday on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, followed by my son’s birthday on November 27.
It’s a beautiful reminder of how much life can change when you keep moving forward.
What expert advice would you like to give?
First, never underestimate the power of your story.
Whether you’re building a business, developing a personal brand, or navigating a difficult chapter in life, authenticity will always be your greatest asset.
From a public relations perspective, I encourage entrepreneurs to stop focusing exclusively on selling and start focusing on building meaningful relationships.
Your reputation is built through consistency, credibility, and the way you make people feel.
You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to make the greatest impact.
Second, don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself.
You are allowed to outgrow relationships, careers, habits, and even versions of yourself that no longer align with the person you’re becoming.
And finally, if you’re struggling personally, please remember that your current circumstances are not your final destination.
You can change your life at any age.
You can rebuild after loss.
You can recover from addiction.
You can break generational patterns.
And you can create a future that looks nothing like your past.
My philosophy is simple: Life is going to throw some shit your way. What matters is what you choose to grow from it.
Sometimes the most beautiful roses grow from the messiest beginnings.
When life knocks you down, get back up and say, “You hit like a Bitch.”
Your social media handles and website links?
- Kelly O’Shea Public Relations / Butterfly Public Relations
- Website: kellyopr.com
- Personal Instagram: @itskellyoshea
- Butterfly PR Instagram: @butterflypublicrelations
- Palm Beach North Wellness Collective: @pbnorthwellnesscollective
- Book: How To Fall In Sh*t And Come Out Smelling Like A Rose
- Book Instagram: @howtofallinshit
- Podcast Cruising Altitude: Life Above the Turbulence
- Youtube: @cruisingaltitudewithkellyoshea
Phikon Mathews is an entertainment journalist at TheCelebrity.Online Magazine, covering the latest developments across film, television, music, streaming, and celebrity culture. Passionate about storytelling and pop culture, Phikon delivers timely news, exclusive features, and engaging commentary that keeps readers informed and entertained. With a keen eye for emerging trends and a commitment to accuracy, the work highlights the personalities, performances, and moments shaping today’s entertainment industry. Whether reporting on Hollywood premieres, global music sensations, or viral celebrity headlines, Phikon brings fresh perspectives and compelling narratives that connect audiences with the ever-evolving world of entertainment.
