Horace Henry left a director-level hotel career to build something on his own terms and his message is simple: stop waiting for permission to create.
We hosted our May gathering inside Off the Clock (OTC), the art-infused restaurant, listening bar, and creative third space that Horace Henry and his wife Elizabeth built in the heart of downtown Lake Worth Beach. Guests arrived to a warm, dim, earth-toned space filled with artwork, vinyl records, and books, the kind of upscale yet welcoming atmosphere that makes OTC unlike anything else in South Florida. The morning kicked off with a delicious spread, including standout chicken and waffles, before the room settled in to hear how all of it came to be. Horace, born and raised in Jamaica, came to the U.S. at 13 and spent 15 years working his way up through iconic luxury properties like The Breakers and the Waldorf Astoria Boca Raton, from busboy to beverage director overseeing 16 restaurants. But something was always missing. Two and a half years ago, with a wife, two young daughters, and a stable salary on the line, he resigned from the corporate world to bet on himself. In this talk, Horace shares the philosophy behind OTC and behind his life: that creativity cannot wait for permission, that dreams left on a shelf will expire, and that community is everything. He speaks about pushing boundaries in rigid environments, lifting up fellow creatives, and building a space where, as he puts it, exclusivity and inclusivity can coexist.
About the speaker
Horace Henry is a hospitality entrepreneur and cultural curator, best known as the founder of Off The Clock, a South Florida based restaurant and listening bar that blends elevated dining with music, art, and community. With a background rooted in hands on experience across every level of hospitality, Horace has developed a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of guest experience. His work is driven by a commitment to authenticity drawing from Caribbean heritage, and a passion for cultural connection. Through Off The Clock, he has created more than a venue; he has built a space where hospitality, creativity, and community intersect.
Horace continues to shape a new standard in hospitality one centered on intention, atmosphere, and meaningful human connection.
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