Meet Shana Ostrovitz | Executive Director, 1909

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shana Ostrovitz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shana, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

When I was in college and my early twenties, my career was all I thought about and was my main source of identity. At 28-years-old my fiancé at the time passed away unexpectedly from an undiagnosed genetic heart condition and everything changed for me. My life perspective changed drastically after that experience. I had recently started my first business, so this was a very challenging time to have my life turned upside down. My view of life, its purpose, and my purpose all came into question. I realized how precious life and our time here on earth is and that tomorrow is not always guaranteed. It’s a beautiful perspective that I wish for everyone, without having to go through something so traumatic.

My new perspective has helped me really focus my time and energy on living a happy and meaningful life. For me, the business I run is very meaningful and I love what I do. Although it’s not easy and can be stressful, I’ve created an environment and business that brings real joy and purpose to my day-to-day life, which far outweighs the challenges. 

I’m also committed to creating happiness and meaning outside of the office. I find it much easier to prioritize my health, my family, and my friends now that each day feels like a gift and I know my commitment to my work is not based on the hours I spend on it. I often take time during the week for physical activity and non-work related activities and sometimes will spend weekend time on work. I know what my priorities are and my main goal always comes back to a happy and meaningful life.

I also know that running a business provides me more flexibility than others have. I appreciate that flexibility and enjoy the opportunity to manage my own schedule.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Named after the year Palm Beach County was founded, 1909 is a nonprofit dedicated to the holistic growth of entrepreneurs, small business owners, creative freelancers, and innovators who give a damn about building a better tomorrow for themselves, their families, our community and the world.

We are an unconventional nonprofit led by entrepreneurs from the for-profit world. This allows us to think differently about how we deliver our mission and our business model opportunities. We are constantly thinking ahead of the industry and innovating on what we do. We see gaps in the market and figure out how to fill them (if we’re best suited to do so).

As someone who started a company in Palm Beach County 10 years ago, it’s so rewarding to do this work. At the time when I was starting, we didn’t have support and resources like what 1909 provides locally. We were often sitting in a small room by ourselves trying to figure out how to launch and run a successful business. We only had podcasts coming out of Silicon Valley to listen to for ideas, which were not always relevant for this market. Even though we were able to raise funds, build a technology and gain paying customers, I remember feeling lonely, confused and frustrated most of the time. By the time we had a functioning business we were so burnt out, and we already had operational problems that could have been solved had we been in a community with support and resources like 1909.

When I joined 1909 in 2019 it felt very serendipitous, I am now able to provide the community and support I wanted and needed for others. It’s incredible to get to work with founders who are solving big problems and will have massive positive impacts on the local community and world we live in. I’m eternally grateful to Danielle Casey and the team who ideated and launched 1909 in 2018. They had a vision that I now get to be a part of and I’m so grateful for that. 

It absolutely has not been easy. I think this year is the first time we’re able to be fully strategic and proactive. 

The most important thing we’ve learned along the way is our ability to persevere. The road through Covid and other business challenges have been hard but we’ve always found a way to strategize and move through those challenges as a team and as a community. We’re stronger now knowing what we’ve been through.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I always take my friends and family to the beach when they are here. Growing up in New Mexico, I spent 18 years land locked so I love how easily we can get to the ocean and enjoy the beach. I prefer beaches in Delray for relaxing and love the dog beach up in Juno.

I also enjoy taking people to the West Palm Beach Green Market. Several of the small businesses I’ve worked with are vendors there and it’s just full of good food, drinks, and people.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

There are so many people who have helped me along the way, it’s hard to narrow it down. That being said a few people who have been an integral in helping me build the confidence and voice I’ve needed to achieve success at 1909 and in different areas of life are as follows:

My husband, Sam Pearlman, is my rock and the person who makes sure I remember to eat dinner and have some fun in my life. He’s my best friend and I’m so lucky to have him in my life.

Patrick Stinus, has been a friend for over 18 years, was a business partner, and now supports me as a Board Member at 1909. He’s always seen my capabilities and strengths, even when I haven’t. He’s an amazing ally for women in business and has often been a champion for me and my efforts when I desperately needed support.

Danielle Casey, founder of 1909 is an amazing creative and strategic thinker who had the vision for 1909 back in 2018 and the skills to bring to life. She’s always making sure our business and me as a leader and at our best. I would not be able to do my job at this level without her and she’s a driving force of 1909’s success.

There are a lot of people, you know who you are, who keep me going every day. I love and appreciate you all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.weare1909.org/

Image Credits
emagen photo, Koda Creative, Pour la Vie Films