"Failure isn't the end; it's a chance to learn and grow. Embrace challenges—they're opportunities in disguise."
Joshua Schuster Tweet
Joshua Schuster is a transformative leader at the forefront of real estate development and renewable energy initiatives. As the CEO of Solarback LLC, he pioneers sustainable solutions, bridging the gap in Florida’s real estate market by enabling commercial property owners to generate revenue through solar energy.
With over 20 years of experience in real estate, Schuster seamlessly transitioned into the energy sector, directing Solarback’s expansion into new markets and emphasizing its commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
Before Solarback, Schuster managed investment funds and founded a prominent real estate development firm in New York City, completing over $2.3 billion in transformative projects. His dedication to green design and energy efficiency echoes in Solarback’s mission, positioning the company as a leader in utility-scale solar projects in Florida.
Beyond business, Schuster’s philanthropic endeavors include co-founding the Bicol Clinic Foundation and constructing a groundbreaking homeless shelter in New York City. He also ventures into innovative platforms like Six Wa||s and Brix & Meta, aligning with his commitment to social impact and sustainability.
Schuster’s strategic vision, combined with his dedication to positive change, cements his legacy as a trailblazer reshaping real estate development and renewable energy for a more sustainable future.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Joshua Schuster: Welcome to SOLARBACK, where our mission encompasses the holistic well-being of individuals, the preservation of our environment, and the pursuit of financial prosperity. With a firm commitment to these three pillars, we strive to make a positive impact on the world around us.
At SOLARBACK, PEOPLE are at the heart of everything we do. We prioritize the growth and fulfillment of our employees, clients, suppliers, partners, and society as a whole. As we contribute to the betterment of others, we encourage them to pay it forward, creating a ripple effect of goodness. Furthermore, we champion education, upskilling, and personal development opportunities for our team members and the communities we serve.
Inclusivity, diversity, and equality are not just words but values that drive our actions.Our dedication to the PLANET is unwavering. We firmly believe that businesses have a responsibility to be environmentally conscious and implement sustainable practices.
SOLARBACK has engineered a groundbreaking model that generates sustainable energy on a large scale, making it an ideal solution for any organization striving to be socially responsible.
Our initiatives include reducing our carbon footprint, minimizing waste, and paving the way towards a zero-emission future through our solar initiatives.
While PEOPLE and PLANET are vital, we also recognize the significance of PROFITS.
We understand that financial growth and stability are essential for achieving our goals effectively. By striking a balance between short-term gains and long-term objectives, we ensure that our financial practices align with our clients’ ability to save money and increase revenue.
Our profit-focused initiatives encompass sound financial policies, cutting-edge technologies, and streamlined operations, allowing us to remain profitable while remaining true to our core values.
In summary, SOLARBACK’s mission is anchored by three pillars: PEOPLE, PLANET, and PROFITS. By prioritizing the well-being of individuals, safeguarding the environment, and driving financial success, we strive to inspire others towards a more inclusive, environmentally conscious, and economically prosperous future.
Join us on this transformative journey as we create a better world for all.
Can you share a time when your business faced a significant challenge? How did you navigate through it?
Joshua Schuster: COVID. Across the board Murphy’s Law was a live action movie for us. The trick is to stay calm, don’t make decisions with your emotions, and to methodically map out the direction or answer.
How has a failure or apparent failure set you up for later success?
Joshua Schuster: Reaching rock bottom failure opened my eyes to the things I had in life. This gratitude changed my entire perspective. This gratitude and appreciation gave me the confidence I needed to continue.
Many doors have closed on me during my career. I often didn’t get a seat at the table. So I bought the building with the doors, and I built a table for my chair.
How do you build a resilient team? What qualities do you look for in your team members?
Joshua Schuster: Building a resilient team requires the same practice by its leardership. Stay true and confident. We look for someone who isn’t afraid to send the steak back if it’s undercooked, and not to eat what they didn’t order.
How do you maintain your personal resilience during tough times?
Joshua Schuster: I believe that incorporating gratitude, humility, and meditation into one’s daily routine can be incredibly beneficial during tough times.
Gratitude allows us to shift our focus towards the positive aspects of our lives, even in challenging situations. By taking a moment each day to acknowledge and appreciate what we are grateful for, we can maintain perspective and cultivate resilience.
Humility plays a crucial role in resilience as well. Recognizing that everyone faces hardships and setbacks helps us develop a humble attitude. This attitude allows us to learn from both successes and failures, seek support from others, and remain open to new perspectives and solutions.
Finally, meditation can be a powerful tool in building personal resilience. By dedicating time each day to practice mindfulness , I can calm my mind and reduce stress, which allows me to gain clarity of thought.
These practices not only help memaintain a positive mindset but also provide the necessary strength and adaptability to overcome adversity and any challenge I’m faced.
What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain focus during a crisis?
Joshua Schuster: Excerise and meditation. Also, come up with a DISTRACTION! Adding distraction techniques into the mix, wecan create an environment where our minds are free to subconsciously offer solutions to the challenges we face.
How do you communicate with your team during a crisis?
Joshua Schuster: Transparency. It serves as the foundation for establishing trust within a team. By openly sharing information, goals, and challenges, we demonstrate ourcommitment to honesty and integrity.
This fosters an atmosphere where our team members feel valued and included, enabling them to contribute their best work.
Transparency also encourages open communication and allows for the free flow of ideas, and in our experience strong innovation.
What advice would you give to other CEOs on building resilience in their organizations?
Joshua Schuster: I would remind them that it’s okay to get knocked down. Failure is not a setback; it’s an opportunity for growth. By acknowledging that everyone faces challenges and setbacks, they can embrace a growth mindset and learn from their mistakes.
It’s through these experiences that they can gain valuable insights, anticipate certain events, and avoid repeating the same errors in the future. After all, we’re only the sum of our experiences.
How do you prepare your business for potential future crises?
Joshua Schuster: You can’t really prepare, but you can control how you react. Stay cool, calm, and collected.
9 out of 10 people don’t remember their last crisis. That’s because we’ve gotten through it, haven’t we?
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about leadership in times of crisis?
Joshua Schuster: See above regarding transparency.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Joshua Schuster for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Joshua Schuster or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
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