Part of our Living with Purpose series – stories of older adults who prove that meaning doesn’t fade with age. From quiet acts of service to bold second acts, these profiles celebrate the ways experience, empathy, and endurance continue to shape the world around us.
When you walk into Shel Myeroff’s workshop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, the first thing that hits you isn’t the smell of fresh cedar or the hum of sanders — it’s the music.
There’s always something playing: blues on Mondays, Sinatra on Fridays.
Shel laughs that quiet makes him restless. “I’m an entrepreneur; I cannot sit still,” he told FreshWater Cleveland.
For 35 years, he was working — the kind of work that required polished shoes and handshakes. He built one of Cleveland’s top recruiting firms, placing CEOs and VPs across the Midwest. Then one day, after a long lunch with a client, he realized he didn’t want to go back to the office.
“After decades of helping people find their dream jobs,” he said, “I decided it was time to find mine.”
He started small — making tables from reclaimed wood in his basement. What began as tinkering soon became Chagrin Valley Custom Furniture, a bustling workshop turning live-edge slabs into dining tables that could outlast all of us.
Customers arrive thinking they’re ordering furniture, but what they’re really doing is sharing stories — about weddings, houses, and family traditions. Shel listens, sketches, and builds those memories into something solid.
If you’re wondering about your own second act, start with what you miss most — creating, advising, building. Don’t ignore the skills you already have; Shel’s business instincts serve him just as well in the woodshop. And remember, meaning often matters more than money. As he told FreshWater Cleveland, leaving recruiting wasn’t about a paycheck — it was about “another place” to use his energy.
The scent of cedar still clings to his sleeves when he locks up for the night. “I guess,” he smiles, “I’m still in the people business — I just build what holds their memories now.”
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, career, or investment advice. Consult qualified professionals before making major life or business changes.
