Annie O’Brian / From Comms Manager to Sculptor of Joy
Name: Annie O’BriAn
MONROE MUSE: Sustainability Champion
After thirty years of leading communication strategies for national charities, higher education institutions, and professional bodies, Annie O’Brian didn’t just change careers—she changed her rhythm. Swapping deadlines and management meetings for the tide and texture of the shoreline, Annie is now a sand sculptor creating wonder, connection, and creativity in a world that badly needs all three.
But Annie’s journey isn’t just a career shift—it’s a bold reclamation of joy, purpose, and a deep-seated belief in creating with care for people and planet. Her story is one of courage, reinvention, and the quiet, radical power of saying “yes” to the life you really want.
Finding Strength in Stormy Times
“When our first child was two, my husband and I both lost our jobs within a week. I’d taken a part-time role to be more present at home—half the salary, a quarter of what I was earning before—but we’d made it work. Until we couldn’t anymore.”
With a mortgage, a toddler, and the weight of uncertainty pressing in, Annie faced a choice: panic or persist.
“My husband was given barely any notice. Thankfully, I had six months, but the pressure was intense. I still had to find something flexible and professional—which felt like looking for a unicorn. I had to keep applying, keep showing up, and somehow hide the desperation in interviews. It was terrifying. But in the end, it worked. I got a fantastic job-share role at the BBC.”
Annie O’Brian brings Energy, Style and Class to the Monroe photoshoot in Battersea Power Station.
Breaking Ground in a New Field
“There are very few sand sculptors in the UK. Even fewer women. People are often surprised by it—they don’t really get what it is. But that’s part of the joy. It’s something totally unexpected.”
At 58, Annie stepped into the unknown—starting a business based entirely on art, joy, and play. Her workshops now bring together children, adults, creatives, and the curious—offering mindful, outdoor moments that slow down the pace of life and invite people to reconnect with their imagination.
“It’s not just about the sculpture. It’s about the feeling. You see someone’s whole posture change when they start sculpting. They soften. They laugh. They focus. It’s magic.”
Her environmental ethos runs deep too. “I work with natural materials, try to create as sustainably as I can, and use resources that leave as little impact as possible. I’m not interested in creating beauty that costs the planet.”
Bias in the System
While Annie hasn’t faced overt barriers in sand sculpting, she’s newly navigating the world of entrepreneurship—and the gender gap is clear.
“At women’s business networking events, I hear shocking stories—founders being asked about childcare in funding pitches, needing double the evidence just to be taken seriously. Male founders aren’t asked the same. It’s infuriating. It shows we still have a long way to go.”
But Annie believes in power through preparedness.
A Wardrobe with Purpose
“My style is unapologetically me. I love colour, texture, and fun. My teenage son used to be embarrassed—especially by a turquoise faux-fur coat that looked like a pencil case. He walked on the other side of the street! But years later, he told me he admired it. That he liked how I owned who I was. Now he does the same.”
Annie shops almost entirely second-hand. Not just for sustainability, but for the thrill of the hunt. “That’s me at a gala dinner in a £30 Yves Saint Laurent dress from a charity shop. And I’ll tell anyone who asks.”
“There are amazing people—of all genders—helping women get pitch-ready and confident. I’m still early on, proving the concept of my business, but I’m learning every day.”
“Wear what makes you feel happy, secure and strong. No matter what anyone else thinks. It’s about confidence—inside and out”
The Power of Storytelling
Annie has spent a lifetime amplifying other people’s stories—from charity volunteers to researchers changing the world. But now, she’s telling her own.
“Storytelling is how we connect. It’s how we’ve always connected. I’ve been lucky to tell the stories of others for decades. Now I get to live mine.”
Annie’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to rewrite your narrative. She proves that following joy, creating sustainably, and dressing for yourself can be the strongest (and most stylish) move you ever make.
“Be kind. Don’t overthink. Own up to your mistakes, but don’t beat yourself up. If it doesn’t work out today, start again tomorrow. You only get one life.”
Style Moment: The Monroe Coastal Set
Annie’s work requires comfort, freedom, and minimal impact.
