Embracing Experimentation: How 1909 and City Furniture Propel South Florida's Innovation
1909 Leadership Team, 1909 Members and City Furniture Staff & Leadership Team celebrating the launch of our partnership at 1909 in Downtown West Palm Beach, Florida.
In the bustling landscape of South Florida's business realm, two entities stand out as pioneers of experimentation, risk-taking, and innovation: 1909 and City Furniture. These trailblazers, each with their distinct histories, ages, and cultures, converge on a shared mission—to foster an environment where creativity thrives, ideas flourish, and progress knows no bounds.
At the heart of this convergence lies a profound understanding—the acknowledgment that embracing experimentation is not just a choice but a necessity. It's a recognition that standing still is akin to moving backward, and the only path forward is through relentless exploration and daring leaps into the unknown. And woven into the fabric of this narrative is Rebecca Bakels, a 1909 member for three transformative years and a dedicated staff member of City Furniture.
For Rebecca, this partnership is more than just a business endeavor—it's a culmination of dreams, aspirations, and the unwavering belief in the power of community. As a proud employee of City Furniture and a passionate advocate for 1909, Rebecca has long harbored the dream of bridging these two worlds, of fostering a symbiotic relationship that would uplift both organizations and, more importantly, the people they serve. Recognizing the opportunity and thinking innovatively, Michelle Bakels, another longstanding 1909 member and vice-chair of our board, was also instrumental in making this collaboration a reality. Michelle’s creative approach in identifying a way to donate furniture from the React Miami developer conference to 1909 highlights her commitment to innovation and dedication to community empowerment and support for the communities she's involved with.
(Left to Right) Rebecca Bakels; Software Engineer & Tech Community Advocate at City Furniture (and 1909 Member) and Michelle Bakels; Co-Organizer of React Miami & Vice-Chair of 1909 Board.
In the archives of innovation, 1909 and City Furniture etch their names boldly. For 1909, our journey is one of audacity, breaking away from conventional norms and charting a course that defies expectations. We've never been content with the status quo, always pushing boundaries and challenging the conventional wisdom that shackles progress and sustainable success. As Shana Ostrovitz, Executive Director of 1909, reflected on the genesis of their endeavor, she mused, "We're breaking the cycle of the conventional grind of entrepreneurship - that is cutthroat, isolating, and destructive to our health and relationships. At 1909, we prioritize a holistic approach to success. We recognize that it's not just measured in profits and revenues but also in the health of our relationships and the balance of our time. It's a fundamental principle that defines the very essence of 1909."
City Furniture, too, embodies this spirit of boldness and adaptation. Founded on the visionary ideals of brothers Kevin and Keith Koenig, its evolution under the stewardship of their nephew and son, Andrew Koenig, epitomizes the transformative power of embracing change. Andrew's conviction to pivot, to reimagine traditional paradigms, is a testament to the courage required to embrace experimentation fully.
"What makes Keith so great," Andrew recounts about his father, "is that he kept reading about it—the new 'lean' philosophy that he wanted City Furniture to adopt. You’re talking about asking a guy who’d run a successful business for three decades to suddenly do it a different way. But I’d give him books on philosophy, and he’d take them with him on his business trips. He was humble enough to learn."
Andrew's vision reshaped City Furniture's ethos, infusing it with a culture of continuous learning and innovation. His initiatives, such as rethinking the work week and implementing "City Circles," demonstrate a commitment to fostering creativity and problem-solving at every level.
In 1971, Kevin Koenig, armed with $1,500 and an MBA from FAU, launched Waterbed City – known today as City Furniture.
But innovation comes at a cost—a willingness to challenge conventions, to invest in the future rather than succumb to short-term gains. Andrew understands this implicitly, remarking, "We’re building something for the next 50-plus years. We’re not going to be around because of my knowledge. If I can get everyone here as smart or smarter than me, solving problems in all aspects of the business, that’s the organization I want to be a part of."
This ethos resonates deeply with 1909. We, too, are committed to laying the groundwork for sustainable success, providing our founders with the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Our partnership with City Furniture is not just a collaboration—it's a synergy of shared values and a mutual dedication to driving innovation forward.
Andrew Koenig at a local Tech Hackathon. Andrew heavily invested into tech as CEO of City Furniture, he’s said in the past “we’re a tech company that sells furniture”.
We approach our collaborations with careful consideration, particularly with larger corporations, seeking partners who resonate with our values. After learning more about City Furniture's entrepreneurial story, innovative thinking, and commitment to uplifting the local community in South Florida, we discovered that there were a lot of synergies between our two organizations. Embracing this partnership, we see boundless opportunities to catalyze innovation, leveraging our diverse community of talented members and our 'turning problems into projects…and solving them' mentality.
Moreover, the partnership is not just about shared goals—it's about shared impact. City Furniture's philanthropic initiatives and commitment to community resonate deeply with our own ethos, reinforcing our belief that innovation must serve a greater purpose.
And, of course, there's the tangible benefit—a generous contribution of $35K worth of furniture, elevating our new space and amplifying our mission. It's a symbol of the potential that lies in collaboration, the power of experimentation to yield real (and beautiful) results.
As we embark on this journey together, we do so with unwavering resolve and a shared conviction—that innovation knows no bounds, that experimentation is the lifeblood of progress. Together, we'll chart new horizons, push the boundaries of what's possible, and leave an indelible mark on South Florida's business landscape.
In the words of Andrew Koenig, "We’re not going to be around because of my knowledge." Indeed, our legacy lies not in what we know but in what we dare to discover, in the uncharted territories we explore, and the frontiers we conquer. And together, in this partnership, we'll write a new chapter—one defined by courage, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of innovation.
We got to explore the archives of City Furniture – here’s a few shots that we felt captured the soul, grind, and culture of the company and it’s history.
