We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kelly Rooney. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Kelly, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
In 2021 I found a litter of kittens outside of my daughter’s school. I trapped them and fostered them and found them homes. That began my new mission of rescuing animals. I initially started by fostering for other organization’s but I soon started my own 501c3 rescue, Kelly’s Fosters. I now work closely with our local Animal Care and Control and take pets off their euthanasia list, rehabilitate them, get them the medical attention they need and find them homes. In turn I have turned my business into a way to fund my rescue mission. 100% of all my profit now goes to fund this passion I have for our animals.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kelly Rooney. In 2018 I started a brand called Josephine Alexander Collective, JAC for short. My dream for JAC was, and continues to be, a brand with heart. All of my pieces are handmade by artisans predominantly in Mexico and Peru, I forged relationships with these artisans and supported them in a way to help them advance their art and livelihoods. All my packaging is compostable and recyclable as well as cruelty free. I have a deep love for animals and of course our Mother Earth. I think small changes can make a huge impact! After starting my own rescue I turned JAC into a way to not only help humans but save lives. Animal lives. 100% of all my profit funds my 501c3 rescue, Kelly’s Fosters, with which I save about 150 animals per year. Most of the animals I help com off of the euthanasia list at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I very much remember taking my daughter to Southern Africa and showing her the way many people that weren’t born with the advantages we were born with lived. I remember the surprise in her eyes and the questions that arose. That was a pivotal moment in her young life, but it was also pivotal for me, because from then on I decided to be the person she could always look up to for trying to help. I may not always get things right, but I know in my heart I try to go the extra mile to do what is right.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think that as a child who grew up moving from country to country I learned to fit in very quickly. Don’t swim against the current. Do what the others do. Don’t stand out. Don’t be made fun of. Don’t be ostracized. Bottom line. ALWAYS FIT IN. At some point after I started JAC I had to start putting my neck out there. Why? Because I had to be the person trying to build a business, not the person trying to fit in. Then when I started my rescue I became a person who cares more about the animals I help than the people I don’t know. I have seen what people are capable of and how little value people place in these living beings that I love so much. THAT has taught me to fly my freak flag high. I still struggle of course with being a people pleaser but I remind myself every day. I am not here for what people think, I am here to help these beautiful souls and by helping them I also help humans. Both by supporting their artistry, but mostly by placing their newest family members in their family in order to bring them joy. The funny thing is by standing out in the name of animals, I have lost y fear of not fitting in, yet I have so much more to engage with people on.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
Unfortunately it is adopt don’t shop. I cannot and will not understand how people can spend thousands of dollar buying a dog from someone who is using dogs for nothing other than to have litter after litter and not enjoying a life of their own while millions of animals die a year in our shelter system. I wish that everyone who wants a dog would walk through a county shelter a few times. Selfishly buying a dog for show is one of my biggest annoyances in life and somehow people still do it.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people talk about how much good I did in the world. I hope they talk about the people I helped and the animals I saved.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kellysfosters.com / www.josephinealexander.com
- Instagram: @kellysfostersflorida / @josephinealexandercollective
- Facebook: @kellysfostersflorida / @josephinealexandercollective
- Other: I listed both websites for my rescue and JAC as they now go hand in hand.
Image Credits
I took them all or my husband
