We can’t help but love a product that makes our lives easier. And we also can’t help but a love a success story about two powerful female entrepreneurs.
Meet Janie Cooke and Caroline Nix. Six years ago, the duo started the Dallas-based company O-Venture, and specifically the Big O Key Ring, which has been named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things.
Their original item, the key ring, fits over your wrist or above your elbow “for maximum flexibility and a truly hands free experience.” The key clasp is also quick to remove so it won’t break your nails—a win-win.
Thanks to social media and their presence in boutiques from coast to coast, the Big O Keys have quickly risen in popularity. They’re truly little life-saving tools.
Read more from the two founders, Janie and Caroline, below.
Tell us about starting O-Venture.
We started O-Venture to give women an O-so-chic way to simplify, stay organized, and keep their hands free for what’s most important. As busy moms ourselves, we decided it was time to create a business all about making women’s lives easier and if we could find a way to never lose/misplace our keys again, we would eliminate so much stress and angst from the day.
So we launched O-Venture together and have never looked back. Our first product, the patented Big O Key Ring, is an oversized bracelet that slides over the wrist to give women a free hand for the many things they juggle every day and ensure they never lose their keys again! Our signature locking clasp allows women to attach their essentials: keys, ID, money, cell phone, lipgloss, glasses… you name it!
We now have a full line of products in a rainbow of colors and textures dedicated to giving women a free hand and lightening their day along with a community of obsessed O-girls from coast to coast!
What’s the best piece of life advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of life advice is something we keep at the core of our family and business—hold onto what’s important and let the rest go!
We strive to keep our priorities straight with our children and marriages and make sure that is always our top priority.
What’s the favorite part of your work day?
Opening the doors to our office first thing in the morning is truly our favorite part of the day! The sounds of the office are what keeps us going and motivated—great music, lots of laugher and people who truly work hard to keep us all moving forward together!
What do you do to give back to your community?
The goal of our entire business is to give women a hand, whether it’s in their daily life or to help inspire and encourage. As a result, we partner with charities that focus on women and lifting up women each day.
We support organizations such as Genesis Women’s Shelter, Breast Cancer, and Alzheimer’s Awareness organizations and many local schools and charities in the communities we touch.
How would you describe your everyday style?
We love to dress for our day, which means simple and comfortable with brilliant colors (we’re all about bright pops of colorful accessories!).
We’re always on the move and our clothes need to move with us and feel great, which is why we love the Draper James dresses, tops and tees—stylish but completely functional for our busy days.
What’s the one thing you can’t live without (besides Big O Key Rings, of course)?
Caroline: Iced tea; I’m a Southern girl at heart!
Janie: Coffee with cinnamon sprinkled on top!
What’s your favorite thing about living in the South?
Southern people are the best; it’s hands down our favorite part of making the South our home! You never meet a stranger.
People are so kind, warm, gracious, and friendly; you can’t beat Southern hospitality. And of course, the food…don’t even get us started! We can locate the best biscuit anywhere we travel! 🙂
And what would you favorite biscuit spots be?
Athens, Georgia: Mama’s Boy, the breakfast biscuit sandwich is O-mazing—bacon, eggs, and smoked cheddar on an incredible biscuit.
Atlanta, Georgia: AG Restaurant, cheddar bacon biscuits with honey butter when you sit down
Dallas, Texas: Bubba’s Cooks Country, biscuits with gravy! Yum!
Starkville, Mississippi: The Biscuit Shop, to die for, and really fun biscuit flavors too!
Do you have a favorite “Southernism?”
“You catch more bees with honey than vinegar” and, of course, “Hook ‘em horns!”
Photos by Katie Nixon Photography
