able's story in our founder's words

"Hey Paul, I feel like I'm supposed to give you my company."

At the time I heard these words in 2018, I was a struggling contractor trying to bring stability to my otherwise inconsistent career.

This company, formerly called NYC Collective, was literally a gift given to me by my friend Jessi Green. I paid $1 for it. I'm not joking.

My name is Paul Tellefsen. I guess you could call me the founder of this thing, but I'm really just grateful to be here.

Able Creative House has taken many forms and names since it was founded in 2018, but it's always been about guiding whoever was in its radius into their dreams.

That will never change.

I've always loved interior design and had a vision of owning a house because I am obsessed with creating environments of connection. I just never could've guessed that one day the house I'd be building would be a business.

In 2015 I quit my full time dream job to pursue life as an entrepreneur, a gift passed down by family. Even starting my own business at the age of 12 as a photographer and filmmaker. Yep, I'd get paid $50 for a video. Over the next few years, I launched several successful businesses and projects and told some incredible stories, amassing many honors and awards, but it never really was about that for me.

Purpose just isn't.

You know, along the way I've met some of the most passionate and disciplined creators and leaders who've become friends, but many are now like mentors to me.

I wonder where I'd be today without those folks.

One day at a cafe with a friend though it hit me that not everyone has access to those kinds of people. I asked this question that day, "What if we could could simplify the road all creators have taken and pass those directions on to those still trying to find their way."

It all clicked. The future of Able Creative House was dreamt that day.

More than an agency, we are a creative house.

A new framework for how we understand the creative life. A truly integrated approach to shaping the next generation of voices.

One that not only identifies aspiring creators, but also shapes them through mentorship and experience. Even going one step further to harness their voice for the transformation of our cities.

My life has been changed through connection with established creators of all types and I hope one day my city will be changed because of that collaborative purpose.

cities transformed by transformed creatives.