Meet Fifth Avenue South’s Serial Entrepreneurand Her Newest Venture NFW Collective
Hard to imagine one could pack so much into a life by the age of 43, but Fifth Avenue South's Roberta Beranek is quite the serial entrepreneur. Her latest venture is the NFW Collective, and like so many of her past creative business ideas, this is one of those "Why didn’t I think of that?” innovative concepts.
Located at 375 Fifth Avenue South, the NFW Collective held its grand opening with more than 150 guests and roaring accolades in mid-October. NFW stands for Naples Fashion Week, a brand now owned by Roberta, who plans on elevating Naples’ fashion to new heights.
So, what is the NFW Collective? According to Roberta, most people think of a collective as individuals or organizations coming together for a cause, but she says “NFW Collective is different. It’s an exciting curated pop-up retail and event space that serves the local community by showcasing brands, especially local ones, by designers, artists and other creative forces, as well as providing a versatile event rental space for everything from intimate dinner parties or large receptions to non-profit fundraisers to fashion shows or cooking classes.”
While pop-up businesses are typically temporary retail space used to introduce a new product line, test a new market or generate awareness for a product or cause, the NFW Collective will be a permanent space but will showcase temporary curated displays between one to four weeks to introduce artists and designers to Naples’ residents and tourists.
Roberta says, “Whether you're shopping for unique gifts or looking to host a memorable event, NFW Collective embodies a spirit of creativity and community in Naples. We were determined to create an inviting and visually appealing shopping experience with each section of the NFW Collective highlighting the latest fashion trends and high-quality products Naples has to offer. And when it comes to events, our spaces are designed to be inviting and functional, and our full kitchen space can accommodate catered events, on-site food preparation and cocktail service."
“Shoppers and event hosts can expect an ever-changing lineup of offerings and experiences as the NFW Collective continues to grow and evolve,” Roberta emphasized. “I hope everyone comes to visit. We wanted to create a space that doesn’t feel corporate, a place where you can just visit or throw a party and feel like it’s an extension of your own home.”
Overflowing with unique ideas, Roberta is currently working with Fifth Avenue South restaurants that are in demand for special events but need more space to stage holiday or other special occasion parties. With access to the NFW Collective’s full kitchen and room for a sit-down dinner for 50-60 guests, or a standing reception for 150+, local restauranteurs can still meet the needs of their customers, especially in season.
The NFW Collective opened with a focus on local women designers, from fashion to art, as Roberta believes there is incredible talent in our community that should be recognized and lifted up. Next up will be a Christmas market of pop ups, featuring small gift brands and custom-design treasures, like hand-painted ornaments.
Marketing efforts for the NFW Collective will be accomplished primarily through social media and cross collaboration with the brands or organizations being featured or holding events in the space.
Roberta’s track record of success also includes work in interior design, real estate and development. Additionally, she created a pet accessories business called Shop Poochie that she sold, and a hair bow and head band business called BobbiBows, which donated a portion of sales to help abused women and children in Chicago. Roberta has a heart for Naples’ causes too and will be contributing a portion of the NFW Collective’s sales to the American Heart Association of SWFL, where she serves as chair of social events.
Roberta is not new to Naples. She and her dad Robert Beranek, a single parent who raised Roberta, began coming to Naples in 1981 and bought property on Marco Island. When her dad, a Cook County State Attorney and a well-known Chicago criminal lawyer, became ill with heart disease and later dementia, Roberta was determined to be his caregiver and served in that role for 15 years until his death in 2019. After his passing, she moved to Naples full time to start a new beginning.
When asked why she chose Fifth Avenue South as the site for NFW Collective, Roberta was quick to respond, “Fifth Avenue South is the Rodeo Drive of Naples. It is the vibrant heart of downtown and the perfect place for my business. I can’t be more excited.”
Our Fifth Avenue South family of businesses is delighted to have this dynamic woman as our newest member and wish her every success. For more information about the NFW Collective, visit naplesfashionweek.com.
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