How did you two meet? What inspired you to create a co-working space and entrepreneurial community in

West Palm Beach?

Shana & Danielle: ​Danielle launched this vision in 2018, driven by the idea of creating something she wished existed when she started her first company here in Palm Beach County in 2012 - a one-stop shop for the critical resources needed to launch and grow your business including affordable workspace, education, mentorship and, most importantly, a community of like-minded Entrepreneurs with similar values who could serve as a support group.

In February 2019, after the experience of launching her own business in Palm Beach County and seeing how 1909 was filling a real need for entrepreneurs, Shana joined as our Accelerator Director, bringing a wealth of experience to help shape and deliver business education programs for those ready to take their ideas to the next level. 

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Together, we’ve built an entrepreneur ecosystem that gives early-stage founders not just the tools, but the confidence, connections, and encouragement to build something remarkable.

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What makes 1909 stand out from other co-working and incubator options?

​Shana & Danielle: Typical co-working spaces exist to profit from subletting space to it’s Members. 1909 exists to supply the critical resources needed for early-stage entrepreneurs and creators, at a subsidized cost - and we can do that because of our Non-Profit 501(c)(3) status. We hope to provide the education and mentorship needed for the companies who enter our program to launch, sustain, and scale their ventures here in Palm Beach County.

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How do you ensure your space remains inclusive and supportive for all types of entrepreneurs?

Shana & Danielle: We pride ourselves on our core values and we take the culture we have intentionally created quite seriously. We believe the world is better off when we have people with unique backgrounds, experiences, perspectives  and skill sets creating our future. With that being said, we are application-based and therefore receive the important  information needed to help guide us when accepting new Members to our community. 

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Can you talk about any challenges you’ve faced as female founders, particularly in South Florida, and how you’ve overcome them?

Shana & Danielle: As female founders in South Florida, we’ve faced challenges, especially when trying to purchase a building for 1909. Developers and financial partners often didn’t take us seriously unless a male board member was involved in the meetings. We noticed that messages delivered by men carried more weight, which was frustrating. But instead of letting it stop us, we strategically included male allies when needed and kept pushing forward. This experience has fueled our passion to ensure 1909 is inclusive and supportive of entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, breaking down those barriers for others.

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​Can you share a proud moment or favorite story of a 1909 member who has thrived because of the organization?

Shana & Danielle: We have so many! We have Members who moved to WPB begrudgingly but since founding 1909 have ‘found their people’ resulting in making a core friend group and launching a dream business. We have Members who have met at 1909, dated and are now engaged! We have Members who took an idea through our early-stage Accelerator Program and are now making a lasting impact on our community through their businesses. 

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You recently received your first grant from Palm Beach County - congrats! Can you share what’s next for 1909?

Shana & Danielle: Well, we’re in the middle of the build out of our new 9,000 SF home on Clematis Street and we’re so excited to launch our next stage programming for Founders who have graduated our Accelerator Program and need additional support or for our later stage Founders who have never had the 1-on-1 support that comes when you’re bringing in $750K+ in ARR.

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What’s a motto or philosophy you each live by? OR What advice would you give to someone who’s considering starting their own business?

Shana: I love the saying “Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” We live in a time where everything seems to have this sense of urgency and the need to be so fast, but the reality is that the sense of urgency is often false and just our minds trying to keep up with what we see on social media or the news. I find the ability to slow down, focus, and lay a plan to do things with intention often allows things to follow at a quicker pace with more efficiency. It’s definitely not the hustle culture mentality that’s often promoted in the start-up world but I think it’s really helpful when you’re trying to build something important that you want to last and impact a lot of people.

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Danielle: I often remind myself and those around me that "It could always be better, but it could always be worse," and I try to focus on measuring the gain, not the gap. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, which can have a negative impact on our mental health. That’s why I find it essential to step back, reflect, and appreciate the progress I’ve made, even if it doesn’t always feel monumental in the moment. Sometimes, a fresh perspective—whether through a new conversation or an outsider’s view—helps me remember the true impact and growth that’s been achieved, which can be easily overlooked when you're immersed in the day-to-day.

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What featured Privet event are you most excited about this Fall?

Shana & Danielle: Well, if we can say so ourselves, the 1909 Gala is something we are very much looking forward to on Nov. 1 at the beautiful Pelican Club in Jupiter, Fl. A seaside soirée featuring a premium open bar, 3 course meal, live and silent auctions, live music by Girlfriend Material and dancing - all supporting the next generation of Entrepreneurs + Innovators in Palm Beach County, Florida. This year we are raising funds to provide scholarships to early-stage Entrepreneurs in need of financial assistance to access the critical resources needed to launch and grow their businesses here in our community - resources like 24/7 workspace, a community of supportive and collaborative mentors and business education.