Ben Ostro’s future in leadership and business showed up early. As a 5-year-old, he bypassed summer camp to work with his family’s media business. At 11, he negotiated his way into a drive-thru window job at a local Asian restaurant. By 14, he was assistant manager of a pizzeria, creating an employee handbook, advising the owner and making hiring and scheduling decisions for people three times his age.
“It was during that time and from 5 to 14 years old that Ben’s abilities; keen observing; savvy, innate and learned acumen; problem solving; people skills; learning from his mistakes; and leadership qualities were grown dramatically, tested and refined,” his staff said.
By the time he was an adult, Ostro returned to the family media business where he worked as chief operating officer, which served as a springboard to his current role as chief executive officer at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix.
Chateau Luxe is a special event and conference center with indoor and outdoor spaces for events of all sizes. The venue features crystal chandeliers, lush fabrics and cuisine crafted by its in-house culinary team for any occasion.
In the coming years, Chateau Luxe plans to double its staff and add a speakeasy bar while maintaining its reputation for first-class service.
“Ben Ostro … demonstrates leadership, kindness and integrity in everything he does,” his staff said. “He treats the people he works with all the same — whether they’re a fellow CEO, a celebrity or front-line employees. He creates innovative ideas and strategies to bring new trends into the event industry, and sets the bar higher each and every day, always striving to be better, do better and give back more.”
Under Ostro’s leadership, Chateau Luxe has increased annual revenues by 200% and occupancy rates by 130%. He developed and implemented the company’s charitable giving program “Chateau Luxe Cares,” led the development and implementation of the company’s signature Gold Standard Service and developed the Employee Cultivation Program to establish and communicate the company’s core values to employees.
It’s the philanthropic work, though, that stands out the most to Ostro.
“I am most proud of the Chateau Luxe Cares program, which has provided over $50,000 to nonprofit organizations right here in Arizona,” Ostro said. “The Phoenix community has been overwhelmingly supportive of Chateau Luxe, and we feel it is our duty to give back to this community that has been so supportive of us.”
