James Beach + Caitlin O’Keeffe Tuttle Embrace the Chaos

This month, we’re bowing to 11 badass local couples making moves (with righteous intent) and leaving their mark on the District. Among several questions, we ask how they’d remix the concept of power couple. What emerged is a collective belief that the energy you bring, the responsibility you share (to each other and your community), and the joy of the journey all greatly matter. We also learned love and humor coexist well. Thank you for the laughs and inspiration.

James Beach, Co-founder of PLNTR + Caitlin O’Keeffe Tuttle, Founder of OKTuttle Creative Agency + Creative Director + Co-founder of PLNTR

Power Couple, Redefined
I think a powerful partnership means setting your own standards and working together to cultivate the life that you want for yourselves. You are on your own timeline and no one else’s. 

Strike A Balance
For us, we try to maintain a life-work balance, prioritizing easing into each day and making time for things we enjoy, like working out (crucial stress buster), taking the dogs to the park and having a beer around the corner, usually also with the dogs.

Couple Mantra
In the past few years, we have started living by, “Everything is chaos.” You honestly just have to step back and laugh at how crazy life is or you’re done for.

Lessons Learned
(James): Caitlin gets on me about “planning backwards” for time 

management. (Caitlin): Still not perfect, but I try. Take risks and give yourself some credit.

Conflict Resolution Tips
We have little habits we practice as a couple/team that force us to smile even when someone is annoyed, angry, whatever — bringing you to a place where it’s easier to have some perspective and dive into the issues from a non-defensive, non-judgmental place.

Caffeine Dependency
We both are deeply addicted to caffeine. James usually makes the coffee, bless him.

Daily Hustle
(Caitlin): James doesn’t judge me for acting out when I’m totally overwhelmed. (James): Sharing the highs and having someone there through the lows. 

The Meet Cute
Ah, a tale as old as time. We swiped right.

D.C. Date Spot
Living in Columbia Heights, we love being able to walk to our favorite spots. Queen’s English is always our go-to for a fancier night out (daikon fritters + whatever Chef Henji is recommending).

Celebrity Hall Pass
Who knows? There are a lot of attractive celebs out there. We’ll let you know the next time we’re in Hollywood.

Our Song
Caitlin walked down the aisle to “Simply the Best” from “Schitt’s Creek,” played by a local guitarist in Rose Park in 2020. But also, speaking of caffeine please just put on “Morning Brown” by Auntie Donna.

Follow Beach and Tuttle on their personal IGs @oktuttle and @2_jamesss. Follow their business here: @plntrdc and plntr.co.

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