Folks We Love with Angela O'Brien | Founder and Creative Director at Cleobella
Angela O'Brien, mama of two, is the founder and creative director of the exotic boho, yet filled with Cali sunshine, brand, Cleobella. In 2006, Angela and her husband Jim set off for a year of global travels. In love and full of inspiration they explored new cultures always leading with their “embrace the soul in everything” mantra. At the end of this trip, she could see Cleobella sparkling on the horizon. From the beginning the vision was to offer globally inspired products that uplift the cultures and traditions of the artisans creating them. In collaboration with artisans the first product was created. Today Cleobella is an internationally recognized lifestyle brand with headquarters in California, a flagship store in Sunset Beach and production in Bali. Jim and Angela split time between California and Bali, raising their children and seeking inspiration wherever they can.
We loved chatting with Angela and discussing everything from the beginnings of Cleobella to mama life to where she finds inspiration.
Where are you from?
Southern California
Who is in your family?
My husband Jim (Leo), our son Keenan (10 in October, Libra) and daughter Indigo Skye (6, Gemini). I’m a Pisces.
Occupation?
Founder/Creative Director at Cleobella
You took a year off to travel that inspired Cleobella, what was the biggest takeaway from that experience?
My biggest takeaway from that year was that change is good and exploring the unknown is nourishing for the soul and oftentimes leads you in directions you could have never dreamed of. Travel has taught me to stay curious and open to the beauty in life’s unexpected moments, although this was 14 years ago, it has rung true in my life journey ever since.
Can you tell us a little about Cleobella, how it started and the philosophy behind the company?
Cleobella was inspired by my love of adventure and gratitude for heritage techniques that are to be loved and cherished for generations. I’ve always felt connected to the entire ecosystem of fashion. For the last 14 years we have lived part-time in South East Asia where we work closely with the artisans who hand make each of our designs. We are focused on people and the planet, sourcing sustainable materials and making limited production that is meant to be adored as heirloom pieces that stand the test of time.
We started very grassroots, selling my designs at local flea markets in Hawaii. This gave me the experience to build my tiny business and learn all the important lessons in Entrepreneurship. Cleobella is grounded in female strength, beginning with my Muse, Cleobelle, my Mother, who was born in Northern Ireland and raised on the beaches in California. Her bohemian spirit is at the center of our brand aesthetic and she is my role model of strength and beauty from within. A majority of the partnerships we work with are female-owned. As a female founder I’ve always loved working with woman-owned businesses, as from my experience, they work from the heart, and without that there wouldn’t be the magic.
We love that you have returned to traditional artisan methods to preserve diverse cultures, what do you love most about the artisan process?
Being part of the process. Our partners feel more like family than anything else. Many of our partners have grown with us on our journey and still work closely with us today. Their work is an emotional experience and I feel most connected to source when I am creating with them. I love the collaboration of mixing modern and new. It's an energy exchange that’s difficult to put into words, it just feels meaningful and in alignment.
Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration comes in many forms and I’m conscious to surround myself with beauty wherever I am to feed my desire to create. Whether its’ travel, my home life, books, podcasts, or even watching period movies. I’m a forever student. Most recently, I’ve been researching more about Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu Religion and connecting to their rituals. I’ve found it grounding during this time we are all home in quarantine.
Your favorite destination to date?
India! It’s a long journey from California but whenever I’m there it feels like in a past life I’ve lived there before. Every sensory is expanded and amongst the unusual, is when I feel comfortable. The dress, the food, the smell of incense and warm chai. I first traveled to India in 2006 with my husband and I was yearning to follow the footsteps of my late aunt Susie who followed the maharishi to Rishikesh in the 70’s. It’s where the Himalayas meet the Mother Ganga and Yoga was founded. I’ve been back since with my Mother and son and there’s something so chaotic yet calming I feel when I’m there.
What do you love most about being a mama?
Being a mama has been the greatest gift and my biggest teacher. Watching my children lean into their strengths while celebrating and nurturing their talents have been so rewarding. My son loves surfing like his Daddy and playing music. He’s incredibly compassionate and kind. Our daughter looks identical to my husband with her ringlet curly hair. She is incredibly smart and creative. She is quick-witted and has an internal strength and fire that will carry her far. My children inspire me daily, they are really great souls with massive empathy and it’s an honor to be their mother.
What is the most challenging part of being a mom?
Personally, finding time to be alone is the most challenging part. I feel like my mind is always on overdrive and my body requires rest to restore.
I’ve created a sacred space at home for moments of quiet, however, Motherhood doesn’t always allow for this time and I’ve had to learn over the years that in order to serve others I have to take care of my health. To be honest, sometimes I do it better than other days, it's a work in progress, as I’ve grown older I’m learning more tools for my tool belt to maintain this balance. Also, as my children have gotten a little older and it’s a bit more realistic to find this time:-)
How do you juggle wearing both mama and business owner hats?
I always put my children first. And to be completely transparent I have an incredible support system. My husband loves being a father and I know I can always count on him. I also have the blessing of living close to extended family, which is why we’ve chosen Seal beach as our home base in California. My mother lives up the street and she is my rock and my grandmother is down the street and she is the matriarch of our family. We have cousins and Aunties and Uncles within a 10-mile radius. Because we live much of the year abroad, we’ve homeschooled our son since day one and we have an incredible homeschool community of like-minded parents that we lean on when we are in California. Our children are so loved and we truly live by the philosophy that it takes a village.
What do you love doing most as a family?
We constantly have music in our home, so there are nightly dance parties and we love watching music videos and exploring new artists. And, spending time at the beach together, we are all in our happy place…whether it’s morning surfs or Sunsets as a family, disconnected to technology and present.
What are you reading?
I’m reading a couple of books, Inner Engineering by Sadh Guru, it’s the second time I’ve read his book and Daisy and the Six, which has been light and fun. I find that I always have multiple books on my nightstand and rarely do I finish them.
What are you watching right now?
The English Game, Shark Tank, My Grandma highly recommends Queen of the South and to be honest, I’ve not made much time for shows during covid, but anything I’m drawn to needs to be light and full of laughter.
What does self-care mean and look like for you?
I try to carve self-care time into my weekly schedule of morning mediations and/or walks on the beach, Epson salt baths at night, and guided Kundalini Yoga. I’m so open to all forms of self-care and I’m always a student when it comes to new wellness rituals. I’ve learned that this is the feminine way, to jump around and explore.
How do you manage stress?
Breathing…I have to admit I have not always been good at managing stress and often times I internalize it. I’m a very sensitive being who feels energies really deeply and I’ve discovered ways to protect myself through multiple forms of practice. A couple years ago I was introduced to Joe Dispenza, Becoming Super Natural and I’ve followed a lot of his mediations on reprogramming in order to decrease stress. I’ve lost a lot of people close to me over the years and the stress of loss has been debilitating at times, however, the silver lining is that it taught me to walk through it and has guided me to some healers and forced me to learn tools to cope which has helped me in the smaller daily stresses of life.
What's the most important life lesson you've learned so far?
Live with Integrity, and listen to your gut, it’s never wrong.
The number one trait you hope to instill in your children?
To always remain curious and never stop dreaming.
We love the philanthropy behind Cleobella, why is empowering women important to you?
I will never forget my first trip to Mexico with my family serving the poor and witnessing the strength of the woman providing for their family and this continued to be a theme in my travels throughout Asia over the years. I’ve watched the women in India making dung patties on the side of the road, while at the same time adorned in beautiful saris and jewelry. There is a feminine strength that is unbound and I’ve always felt drawn to supporting other women's dreams and celebrating each other's gifts. I’m lucky to be born into a family of strong women and I feel supported by women in leadership roles, and I hope I can do the same for other women.
What are 4 things you can't live without?
My family, friends, and supportive team.
Kundalini Yoga
My Passport
Cleobella Mexicana wallet