We recently connected with Danielle Casey and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

1909 is the year Palm Beach County was Founded and we are a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) supporting Founders & Freelancers in Palm Beach County, Florida. We believe now is the time to be a Founder of something. Anything. Whether it’s a new business, social initiative, or way of life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My passion for creating opportunity and shaping communities, brands, and culture took root when I launched my first design and e-commerce business in 2012. Immediately introduced to dozens of Creatives in the South Florida pop-up circuit, I saw the need in my hometown of West Palm Beach, Florida for a centralized Creator Community. I was presented with an opportunity to help develop and launch Elizabeth Ave. Station; an event-driven shop focused on music, art, and design in West Palm’s Warehouse District. The response this humble little warehouse project received proved that theory viable. ‘The Station’ provided opportunity for creatives to sell their work in a beautifully designed and curated collective without having the overhead that comes with conventional brick & mortars. In 2018, another opportunity arose and I set out to help create a non-profit organization that would supply resources, education, workspace, event space, and community to entrepreneurs and freelancers from all walks of life. With a nod to the year Palm Beach County was founded, I aptly named it 1909.

1909 currently has over 230 Members. 1909 is for creators, by creators. We’re an unconventional non-profit organization dedicated to the holistic and exponential growth of entrepreneurs, creatives, small businesses, founders, and freelancers.
we defy the societal norms declaring we are our jobs…and the notion that self-service and materialism will lead someday to happiness. We recognize and embrace the various forms of wealth; including health, relationships, time and values.
we’re a collective of forward-thinking, independent souls who have consciously chosen to build outside of society’s distorted success paradigm. We believe this is where ideas become reality. They come together when people share skills and stories. when problems become projects. when we find connection in collaboration, living for a life of hope and opportunity.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Yes, 1909. It’s exactly why it was created – what was needed was a one stop shop for everything to create a desirable career and life…on your own terms. Offering resources that help achieve goals faster and better. Like relevant mentorship, accessible, affordable (and beautiful) workspace, educational and cultural programming, social events, and most importantly; a community of like-minded, supportive people with shared interests and values.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, to provide opportunity to those who otherwise wouldn’t have it. Sick and tired of seeing talent move to ‘bigger and better’ markets because they feel there isn’t opportunity for them here. We also firmly believe that the locals are driving the current value here and we want to fight for them to be able to stay here.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.weare1909.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/weare1909
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8YWy8o1kotwDy_s9gaE-6g

Image Credits
Headshot by Emagen Photo