We were lucky to catch up with Sherene Strausberg recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sherene, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Nine years ago, I took a leap of faith and left my full-time job to establish my own company. Faced with the task of choosing a name for my graphic design venture, I wanted something unique, memorable, and with an available URL. Despite being a solo entrepreneur initially, I decided against using my own name. Instead, I delved into significant numbers in my life, leading me to consider “1731 Designs” based on my former Los Angeles address, where I first started learning graphic design. However, concerned that it might be misconstrued as the year 1731, I hesitated.

Reflecting on my current address in New York, 176 West 87th Street, became a pivotal moment. The combination of the numbers “8” and “7,” with their mix of rounded and straight lines, appealed to me visually. To this, I added the term “creative,” as I wasn’t certain if I’d exclusively focus on graphic design, given my professional background as a film composer and pianist. This decision proved wise, as four years into the business, I transitioned into motion graphics and animated videos. Fortunately, the name “87th Street Creative” seamlessly accommodated this shift without requiring an update.

Though I no longer reside on West 87th Street nearly a decade later, the name endures as a testament to the origin story of my company. Surprisingly, people resonate with the name, appreciating its uniqueness and often remembering it. Notably, I have yet to encounter another company that incorporates a street number into its name.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey to becoming the founder/CEO of 87th Street Creative, an animation and motion design studio, has been a winding path. Initially immersed in Hollywood for almost a decade as a film composer and sound engineer, I lived my dream but experienced the challenges of an imbalanced work-life dynamic. When my future husband suggested exploring graphic design, I seized the opportunity, attending night classes and earning certification.

Balancing graphic design work with family responsibilities brought a sense of equilibrium. However, I realized that true work-life balance necessitated both stability and flexibility. Overcoming trepidation, I left my job and established my own company. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to remarkable projects for prestigious companies like American Express, Abbott, McKinsey & Company, and large nonprofits like the Jewish National Fund.

Among my proudest achievements is a project for ProPublica, delving into how the 1% misuse the Roth IRA. This endeavor not only earned an Emmy nomination but also garnered recognition from Senator Elizabeth Warren, who shared the video link with her followers on social media.

At 87th Street Creative, we specialize in crafting bespoke animations—nothing off-the-shelf or templated. Every creation is meticulously tailored to showcase the unique essence of the brand or company. As a woman in a predominantly male industry, inclusivity is paramount. We incorporate diverse voices, characters with various skin tones, and representations of different physical and mental abilities to ensure our videos resonate universally.

Drawing from a multifaceted background in film, radio, and marketing, I bring a unique perspective to our work. Whether it’s collaborating on animated videos for companies or nonprofits like ProPublica, our focus is on ensuring each creation mirrors the client’s identity and mission, making it as distinctive as their vision.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

For so many years, I was using the same resources that it seemed everyone else was using. Especially for finding stock images, like Shutterstock, and voiceover artists, like Voice123.com. While these resources were amazing and had the work of talented artists, it felt exclusive, either by gender, race, religion or ableness. I was so thrilled when just a few years ago I discovered some incredible resources that felt way more inclusive. For stock photography, that was https://nappy.co/, which touts culturally diverse photos. For more diversity in voiceover artists, two resources are “Voices of Color”: https://www.voctakeover.com/ and “Disable Voice Actors”: https://www.disabledvoiceactors.com/

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

For me, the best source of new clients has been through networking. I have been a member of several networking groups, including BNI (Business Networking International), Provisors, and The Connective. Networking is so much about building relationships and I love to collaborate with other people. Although I’m a solo business owner, I love connecting with people and referring to other people as much as being referred to. The slogan for BNI is “Giver’s Gain” and the slogan of Provisors is “Know. Like. Trust. Refer”. Both of these really resonate with me. As I build relationships and connections, it provides opportunities for me to find new clients and build relationships with more companies who might one day turn into clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.87thstreetcreative.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/87thstreetcreative/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherene-strausberg-2322038/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8BGq260xQ2P12vv38HHl6w
• Other: https://vimeo.com/87thstreetcreative

Image Credits
Ed Lederman (Featured photo)
First two images’ photo credit is Paul Vincent