About Elena
Elena Hershey, aka “Mrs. Billy’s,” is the new Executive Director at SSL Foundation Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick Foundation. Elena is the wife of the late Billy Hershey, founder, and creator of the world-famous Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant and Fisheries in Hollywood, Fla. During Elena’s entire career, she has been in customer service and public relations. She feels that superb customer service has been her priority in everything she has been involved in. She has worked with her husband side-by-side for over 20 years building and developing Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant into what Billy’s is today.
Elena was born in Bulgaria. She was raised in the far northwest part of Russia and spent each spring and summer in Bulgaria. Her mother is Bulgarian and her father is Russian. Her parents taught her to appreciate her dual heritage and to have the highest respect for the vast expressions of different traditions and cultures. In a family of engineers, perfection and self-discipline was the rule. Elena earned her combined bachelor’s and masters’ degrees in business administration and management, respectively, from the Northern Business Institute, Arkhangelsk, Russia.
Exposure to diverse cultures has allowed Elena to welcome and embrace the collaboration, teamwork, and unaccustomed approach to various tasks. A proud American citizen since 2006, Elena values the diversity, liberties and the equal opportunities our country offers.
At Billy’s Stone Crab Inc., Elena was was responsible for overseeing the successful operation of the family business. She was involved with developing the family restaurant brand as well as strategically positioning the restaurant as one of the best-known prime locations for top-quality seafood and overall fine dining. Elena’s multi-language skills and European heritage helped promote the restaurant internationally, attracting eastern and western European clientele. Public relations, online reputation and expansion of the family real estate portfolio, as well as looking after the family’s restaurant finances, were among Elena’s chief priorities.
Elena has developed Billy’s Stone Crab social media presence. She has been personally involved with the online shipping business via crabs.com, plus customer-direct relations, contact and development. In 2014, together with Billy and always by his side, they established and developed the Fishery on Summerland Key, Fla., which later became the BSC Fisheries LLC . From working with Billy to personal involvement with numerous local organizations and communities, Elena was the face of Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant and Fisheries. Elena have worked together with film and news crews to further promote Billy’s and their family’s businesses.
Following the passing of her husband Billy after 20 years of marriage, Elena continues to be the proud mom and role model for their two sons Bobby, 20, and Alex, 16. Today, Elena continues Billy’s and their family’s legacy as “Mrs. Billy’s” by supporting local non-profit organizations that Billy and Elena, and Billy’s Stone Crab Inc., supported through the years. Having maintained her real estate license since 2004, Elena continues to work in the real estate industry and related investments.
Elena is a Greater Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce Leadership Hollywood Class 39 graduate. She has been a volunteer at numerous school and community events and organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Broward.
Elena believes and wholeheartedly supports collaboration, peace and diplomacy. Elena is a philanthropist and a supporter of local businesses and non-profit organizations. Elena’s civic and professional affiliations include:
- Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors https://hollywoodchamber.org/
- Hollywood Art and Culture Center Board of Trustees www.artandculturecenter.org/
- VP of Ways and Means of the Symphony of the Americas Society sota.org
- Board member and government affairs representative of the Hollywood Beach Business Association hbbafla.com
- Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Board of Directors, Broward Chapter https://frla.org/chapters/broward/
- Director of Business Development and former board member of the Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick (SSL) Foundation, a women’s and children’s empowerment nonprofit organization Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick Foundation
- Member Of The Circle Of Wise Women for Junior Achievement Of South Florida https://www.jasouthflorida.org/circle-of-wise-women/
Elena can be reached at 954-415-4722, E-mail: elenah@sslwomen.com, Elena’s Facebook