Leading with Gratitude: How Keepsake Journey Grew from Heartbreak into Healing
- Nov 10
- 3 min read
By Abby Rees
Founder of Keepsake Journey
I never set out to uild a business — I set out to help people hold onto what matters most.
Keepsake Journey was born from a simple belief: a gift can be more than something to unwrap. It can tell a story, hold a memory, and offer comfort when life feels uncertain. What began as a way to honor my own loved ones has grown into a mission to help others find healing, connection, and hope through personalized keepsakes that celebrate love and legacy.
Building a Business from the Heart
Every piece that leaves my studio carries someone’s story — a bride’s bouquet pressed into framed art, a father’s handwriting engraved on a money clip, a child’s fingerprint preserved on a necklace. These aren’t just products; they’re pieces of a person’s heart.
When I first launched Keepsake Journey, I didn’t realize how many people were searching for that same kind of emotional connection. Over the years, I’ve met grieving families, proud parents, and newlyweds — all looking for a way to make their memories last. The gratitude I feel for the trust they place in me has become the foundation of everything I do.
How Gratitude Changed Everything
Running a small business is rarely glamorous. There are late nights, creative blocks, and moments of doubt. But every time I design a new keepsake, I’m reminded why I started — because gratitude has the power to change everything.
It’s easy to get caught up in growth metrics or social media numbers. But for me, success is knowing that something I created brought someone peace, closure, or joy. Gratitude shifts my focus back to what matters — people, not profit. It helps me slow down and appreciate the beauty in small victories: a kind message from a client, a photo of a wedding bouquet frame hanging in a new home, or the quiet words, “Thank you — this helped me heal.”
Gratitude has also shaped how I lead.
I believe leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence. It’s listening with empathy, extending grace, and remembering that connection comes first.
Finding Grace in the Hard Seasons
As women, we wear so many hats — mother, entrepreneur, partner, friend — and it’s easy to feel like we’re failing at one or all of them. Gratitude reminds me to pause and find meaning in the mess.
When I feel overwhelmed, I think about the families I’ve served: the mother memorializing her child, the daughter honoring her father, the couple beginning a new chapter together. Their stories anchor me. They remind me that the work I do isn’t just creative — it’s sacred.
Turning Purpose into Legacy
Keepsake Journey has grown into more than a brand. It’s a creative studio built on heart, craftsmanship, and gratitude. Every engraved memorial gift, every custom wedding keepsake, every floral preservation frame represents a small piece of someone’s story — one that will be cherished for generations.
Each order isn’t just a transaction; it’s a moment of trust. I’m invited into people’s most intimate experiences of love and loss, and I take that responsibility to heart.
That’s the real success for me — leading with gratitude, creating from emotion, and helping others hold onto theirs.
Because when you create from a place of gratitude, you don’t just make products.
You build connection, preserve love, and craft something that truly lasts.
About the Author
Abby Rees is the founder of Keepsake Journey, a woman-owned small business in Jasper, Indiana, specializing in personalized memorial gifts, wedding keepsakes, and custom engraved heirlooms.
Her mission is to help people celebrate love, honor loss, and preserve life’s most meaningful memories.
Connect With Abby
@keepsakejourney
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