Don’t try to be all things to all people. Know what you want to deliver and who your audience is and focus on giving them what they need.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF:
I’m Ziporah Janowski, the Co-Founder, President, and Executive Chef for Camp Shane, and weight loss and fitness camp for youth and teens, and and Shane Diet & Fitness Resorts, a weight loss and fitness resort for adults and families, both in New York.
WHAT I DO
I helped to establish, and now own and manage adult and children’s weight loss and fitness camps and resort programs. I am also a certified chef and oversee the creation and execution of our weight loss menus. Previously, I was an attorney for nearly two decades for a Fortune 500 company in the financial market, a career I loved, until I switched careers to devote my efforts to health and wellness, which I love even more.
As a co-owner, I multi-task. I handle everything from menu planning and food sourcing to public relations to writing articles to legal issues, and more. I also formed and oversee Shane Cares, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization through which we provide scholarships for economically underprivileged children to attend our New York fitness and weight loss camp.
WHEN YOU START YOUR DAY, WHAT WEBSITES DO YOU CHECK FIRST?
CNN, the NY Times, Google Plus, and Facebook
WHAT IS A TREND YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE OF SPA AND WELLNESS SERVICES OR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?
The need to customize programs to meet individual needs; one size does not fit all in this business.
In earlier operations for our program, we really focused on the traditional calorie counting method, and where those calories come from, but more and more children, teens, men and women cook their own meals and are interested in locally sourced produce. This has produced a change at Shane, as well — we devote more program time to teaching children to cook. By teaching our kids basic cooking skills and an enthusiasm for it, it encourages their families to eat more at home, too. We reinforce this by regularly sending our families recipes and cooking tips.
WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Listen more than you talk and hire the best people you can!
AND ADVICE YOU'D GIVE TO OTHERS?
Don’t try to be all things to all people. Know what you want to deliver and who your audience is and focus on giving them what they need.
WHAT DO YOU DO, FOR YOURSELF, TO ASSURE YOUR OWN HEALTH AND WELLNESS?
I walk my dogs in the woods every morning to start my day with fresh air and thinking. I cook almost all of our home meals and try to avoid eating out too often. I recently obtained my chef’s certification from the Natural Gourmet Institute but mostly cook simple meals using local, seasonal ingredients and watching my portions and overall calories. I do all sorts of exercise frequently to keep from getting bored!
WHAT'S A NEAR FUTURE GOAL FOR YOU?
Camp Shane already has a wonderful cookbook for kids and families, compiled by our nutritionists, but now that I’m certified chef and passionate about local produce and clean, naturally and sustainably sourced ingredients, I plan to tackle un updated cookbook for the camp, this time as its author.
WHERE IS YOUR NEXT DREAM VACATION OR TRAVEL DESTINATION?
I take an annual bike riding trip and next on my bucket list is Vietnam.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR WORDS OF INSPIRATION?
Learn, Laugh, Lose – our Shane motto!
