Kelly Olliver’s primary mission is to “make things better for people.” It’s clear to see that she takes it seriously, while also maintaining a convivial sense of humor–she IS the co-owner of Venice’s The British Open Pub, after all.
For Olliver ‘making things better’ is a remarkably large container that holds the many ways she offers service to the Venice community. That includes “finding people a place to live through attaining affordable housing, getting them the help they need to leave abusive situations, helping to clean up the environment, and making people smile when they’ve had a rough day,” she explained.
Born and raised in the Venice area, Olliver left for college and career right after graduating Venice High School in 1995. Then in 2003, just after she’d planned to move back and start a business with her father and brother, her brother was killed in a boating accident.
“Nearly 600 people attended his service: friends and family, but also every teacher and every principal still in town and everyone from all the jobs my mom and dad ever held,” she said. The outpouring of support “cemented to me that this really is an incredible town, and I realized how much a small community can do for a person. That is when I became recommitted and passionate about the area,” said Olliver.
The British Open Pub has been an important conduit for her remarkable generosity. “Through the restaurant, I’ve been asked to donate food for benefits and that’s when I started to learn all about these local organizations (that she’s worked with): The Child Protection Center, The TWIG, and Family Promise are just a few.
In addition, as a dedicated member of the Venice Sertoma Club, Olliver helped with the expansion of the Sertoma Speech Clinic of Venice, which provides exceptional care to children challenged with communication impairment. She’s also been involved with the Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children (SFHC) ever since she was a young girl when handing out flyers and tee shirts with her dad. Olliver continued to return to Venice every year to help with SFHC’s Suncoast BBQ Bash and Hoot N’ Annie.
Then, in 2019, Olliver joined the Venice Chamber of Commerce’s first annual "Leadership Venice" class and served as project leader for its community project, “Vision Quest.” She was so impressed with the program’s importance to the community that she’s stayed on to lead and guide subsequent Leadership classes.
“It is imperative as a leader,” said Olliver, “that we all learn (across a wide range of businesses and organizations) who does what and how they do it. “That makes you unstoppable because you can always get the answers or assistance you may need.”
I realized how much a small community can do for a person. That is when I became recommitted and passionate about the Venice area.