When it comes to building a creative life, I’m a “more is more” kind of person.
MEET ALLY KIRKPATRICK, WRITER, ENTREPRENEUR, AND CREATIVE SMALL BUSINESS HYPE PERSON
I believe in the power of stories in bringing people together. I also believe there’s no such thing as too many books piled on your nightstand. Or too many creative projects in the pipeline.
If you’re a parent building something during nap time, a creative with too many ideas and not enough hours, or someone itching to dream up your next chapter, you’re in the right place.
Maybe you’re wondering if it’s really possible to grow something meaningful while keeping your full life in motion. I get that. I’m here to offer encouragement, clarity, and a sense of community as you figure out what comes next.
Writer. Founder. Creative Collaborator.
I do my best work at the intersection of books, business, and creating a sense of belonging.
I’m Ally Kirkpatrick (she/her), a writer, creative consultant, and community-centered entrepreneur based in Alexandria, Virginia. My career has been all about building story-driven ventures that bring people together in meaningful ways.
Over the past seven years, I've built Old Town Books from the ground up as its Founder and Owner, transforming it from an idea into Alexandria's thriving independent bookstore and home for literary community. I’m also at work on Fabled Ice Cream, a storytelling-inspired ice cream business. (Who doesn’t want to stop for a scoop + some books on the walk home from the pool, right?)
As a writer, I hold an MA in Creative Nonfiction from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, and I’m working on my first book, The Animal Within the Animal, a memoir-in-progress.
I'm a serial problem-solver who loves turning "what if" into "what's next." Whether I'm figuring out how to create a bookstore that feels like everyone's favorite living room or launching an ice cream cart that brings neighbors together, I thrive on the challenge of building something from nothing. I've learned that the best businesses are gathering places for the people and ideas that matter most.
I believe stories build worlds.
And the ones we tell ourselves—and live in—should be generous, joyful, and brave.
My work is driven by the belief that creativity is a survival skill, that small businesses can be engines of community, and that healing often begins with telling the truth— on the page, in our work, and in our lives—especially the stories we think we're supposed to keep quiet.
Having navigated the ups and downs of creative entrepreneurship—from securing funding to building teams to launching new ventures while raising three daughters—I know firsthand what it takes to turn dreams into sustainable realities and make the things you wish existed in this world.
I care about building things that last: thoughtful businesses, honest stories, and relationships rooted in care. Whether I'm writing, coaching, or collaborating, I hope to make space for people to feel seen, to feel brave, and to take their passions seriously.
A few other facts about me: I love gold hoops and granny sweaters. I'll never say no to another foster puppy. And I basically live off of an alternating stream of coffee and seltzer water.
Want to collaborate, hire me, or just say hi?
I build what I wish existed. And I want to help you do the same.
I work with ambitious creators and entrepreneurs who are done waiting for permission. Whether you need a collaborator, a speaker who gets the entrepreneurial journey, or someone to help you think bigger about what's possible, I'm here for it. I'm currently open to brand partnerships, storytelling consulting, and private group workshops.
You can also follow along as I write my first book, The Animal Within the Animal, and check out behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube about my life as a small business owner.
Let's build something that matters.
