Good Company (Issue 2)

Photo of The Coven by Bethany Birnie of AquaFox Photography

Coworking Spaces Offer Women and Non-Binary Creatives a Place to Be Fearless in Pursuit of Their Goals

By Kelli Hart Kehler

We are living in a time that feels both transformative and still massively archaic—the businesses and careers of women and non-binary people are multiplying and thriving, coming into the light in a brave and bold way. But the gender wage gap as of 2017 was 18.2 percent—an example that the greater part of society does not view women or non-binary people as equal to men. This construct of lopsided worthiness can leave women and non-binary people feeling less than, uncelebrated, unsupported, and even unsafe in workspaces. Recognizing this need for workplace sanctuary, a growing number of coworking spaces around the country have been specifically designed for women and non-binary creatives. In these safe, welcoming spaces, creatives can work and share with and alongside their like-minded peers, and also hunker down to work individually in a place where they feel supported, understood, and part of a community.

Here the founders from six coworking spaces specifically created for women and non-binary people share their missions behind starting these spaces, the power of community, and much more.

Why is it important to create physical spaces for women and non-binary people to work?

Ali Greenberg, The Broad (Richmond, VA): There is a rich history of women and gender minorities organizing, but so few spaces that serve them in all their needs or recognize their breadth and impact—let alone are designed with them in mind. With streets named for men, monuments of men, and institutions run by men—it is no wonder that the shelves are too high and the offices too cold. By building our own spaces, we solve not only a representation issue, but a design one!

Bethany Iverson, The Coven (Minneapolis, MN): Most spaces we inhabit are designed for men first; they were made by men with other men in mind. Every day we watch women and non-binary folks transform after spending time in The Coven, a space designed first and foremost around their wants and needs. Being part of a space that prioritizes women and non-binary folks changes how we carry ourselves into the rest of the world—it reminds us of our power, reinforces our sense of self, and makes us feel seen and heard.

Rachel Khong, The Ruby (San Francisco, CA): I’m a writer, and writing can be isolating work. In starting The Ruby, I was interested in creating a physical space for writers, artists, and other freelancers who do solitary work; I’m all too familiar with that feeling of loneliness. I was also interested in the fact that often creativity happens when you’re outside of your head, talking with other people. The internet has changed the way we work, and also the way we socialize; we’re more isolated than ever, and many of us are looking for a sense of connection. I wanted to gear The Ruby specifically toward women and non-binary people because, especially in San Francisco, we aren’t often the focus.

Kerra Michele Huerta, BUREAU (Washington, DC): Studies have proven time and again that women thrive professionally, emotionally, and educationally when men are removed from the equation—regardless of the age group being studied. Don’t get me wrong, I love men, but it’s extremely important for women and those who identify as women to have a space they can feel “safe” in, whether that be physical safety or intellectual safety. Women are trained from a very young age that their voices aren’t as loud or important as male voices, and by creating safe spaces for women, we are allowing women to develop their voices and speak louder.

Kelsey Pike, Cherry Pit Collective (Kansas City, MO): The most significant reason for creating a physical space for women to work is to bring comfort to our members. Cherry Pit Collective is a space where we feel physically safe while we work, relaxed and free to be ourselves: a sensation often challenged in male-centric workplaces. Some of the major advantages of creating a studio space for women in like fields are the sense of support from other women and the feeling of being treated fairly, things we’ve found to be inherent in a shared female workplace. Our original mission was to fill our studio with awesome, hardworking artists and makers. The first dozen happened to be female-identifying, which worked so well, we decided to intentionally move forward as a female collective.

Alicia Driskill, evolveHer (Chicago, IL): evolveHer is a creative workspace designed for women to connect, collaborate, and curate a life they love. evolveHer not only provides a beautiful workspace, but also offers a robust schedule of custom programming to support its community of women in all aspects of life (business development, wellness, and connections). In addition to our programming, we provide a safe space for women to talk about sensitive issues such as #MeToo and the gender gap, as well as daily challenges such as motherhood and career growth.

Photo of The Broad by Sarah Schultz-Taylor

Can you describe some of the biggest challenges that creatives face in your city?

Ali Greenberg: Richmond is an exceptionally creative city, but that saturation means that there is an expectation of free or cheap work. Creatives here have to work hard to raise the ecosystem’s valuation of their craft of service.

Liz Giel, The Coven: There are many creatives in the Twin Cities who struggle with access to resources and opportunities. Education for aspiring creative minds here is a challenge, with fewer opportunities available compared to what other cities enjoy. As one example of this, Miami Ad School’s Minneapolis location closed suddenly a few years ago, leaving many aspiring creatives in the lurch. In addition to this, there is a growing issue of racial disparity in our city that creates even more significant barriers for women and non-binary creatives, who represent historically marginalized backgrounds. These individuals have a difficult time finding professional opportunities and environments where their unique experiences and talents are fully embraced. As a result, creative organizations are also suffering from a lack of diverse perspectives.

Rachel Khong: Here in San Francisco, the biggest challenge has been the rising cost of rent. It’s increasingly becoming a place where creatives can’t afford to live.

Kerra Michele Huerta: Washington, DC, isn’t exactly known outside the District as a creative space. Those of us in the “inner circle” are very aware of the creative power this small geographical area holds, but the powers that be don’t necessarily prioritize us, our needs, or art in general. It can be very difficult to get funding from investors in this area, or raise awareness for our causes, because DC is such a political town.

Alicia Driskill: Authentic connections are a huge challenge in Chicago. A lot of networking events encourage business card spamming versus truly providing an opportunity to build relationships on a deeper level. Another challenge is in the isolation aspect of being a creative. When you can surround yourself with a positive support group, you begin to gain more confidence in your work and have the opportunity to collaborate.

How does your community help creatives through some of the scariest parts of starting or running their own businesses?

Ali Greenberg: Richmond is a true community—if you have an idea, all you need to do is put it out there into the world and you will have a team behind you. Everyone is willing to help you work through the tough times, whether that be a lawyer chatting formation over a coffee or a fellow maker sharing supplier info or a friend sharing your work with a new group!

Bethany Iverson: We offer a wide array of programming and workshops to give our members access to new tools and information—right now we’re focused on tackling topics like financial literacy, the new tax laws, leadership development, storytelling, and confidence. Equally important is the community we’re cultivating at The Coven. Members frequently turn to other members, either in person, through our mobile app, or within our private Facebook group, with calls for help with everything from photography to copywriting to tracking down lawyers and accountants.

Rachel Khong: We’re a venue for classes, events, and general fellowship. The classes, of course, can be helpful in specific, hands-on ways—we’ve had classes on everything from finance to makeup to wine-tasting. But one of the main resources available are the members themselves; I’m proud of the fact that The Ruby is home to an incredible pool of talented people, who are rooting for you to succeed and happy to lend their expertise.

Kerra Michele Huerta: Because BUREAU is composed almost exclusively of entrepreneurs, the women who are members are all in the exact same scary boat—and everyone is generous with life jackets! If someone voices that they’re having trouble with their website, or their taxes, or their social media plan, there’s always a gal ready to offer support and advice on the topic.

Kelsey Pike: Our collective is built of members with varying skill levels and backgrounds. Some of us have been running our businesses for a decade, while others are just starting out. It’s our aim to learn from every member. Fresh perspectives help seasoned makers view things from a new angle, and established artists freely offer up advice to the freshmen. We encourage each other to try new things, share unique specialties with one another, and comfort each other as a resource for human connection.

Alicia Driskill: I personally sit down with each new member as part of the onboarding process to understand what they do, where their challenges are, and how we can help them get started and/or grow their business. We connect them with other members who are in similar fields and life phases. We also provide classes on a variety of creative areas such as design, copywriting, and content creation.

Photo of evolveHer by Anna Zajac

What are physical aspects of your coworking community that help make people feel at home and welcome?

Ali Greenberg: The Broad was designed to feel like a living room—a comfortable and familiar place where you feel like you can put your feet up! Everything from the signage to the lighting to the bathroom products and wallpaper were made by women in our community—members and guests can see themselves in the space!

Erinn Farrell, The Coven: We describe the layout of our space as “coffee shop–style coworking” . . . meaning, there aren’t desks or offices to rent, but rather a comfy, inviting atmosphere that focuses on community first. Our ultimate goal was to create a space that felt like a modern art museum you could put your feet up in—so we selected furniture and design elements that were bright, espoused joy, and would be comfortable for any body. In creating a space that was not only intersectional, but equitable, we spent a lot of time with community members to select art and design elements that represented their heritage and larger community. We also carved out space for a Parent & Prayer room, a Self-Care room, individual phone booths, and a shower with towel service.

Kelsey Pike: Our building has several shared spaces, open to all our members, that make it feel like a cozy home. There is a kitchen and large communal eating area, a comfy lounge, and a big backyard with a fire pit. Each interior studio stall opens out to the common space, encouraging an open and kind atmosphere between studiomates. It’s impossible to arrive at the studio and not see who else is working. This welcomes conversation and closeness among members.

How do you see your space and community growing over time to help the creatives in your area?

Ali Greenberg: The goal of The Broad is to evolve into a comprehensive headquarters for the women of Richmond and Virginia—our big vision is being ground zero for a new female-driven economy in our city and our state, so that means education, incubation, and investment!

Alex West Steinman, The Coven: Right now, our space is intentionally very artful and open with creative headspace in mind. It’s a space that serves both our creative and corporate members. In addition to continuing to evolve with our community’s needs in our current location, there’s definitely an opportunity to expand to other locations with room for more creative studio and art rooms, individual workspaces, and more creative event spaces. We’re just getting started here—the limit does not exist.

Rachel Khong: My hope is that we’ll have partnerships and collaborations with other Bay Area organizations—the hope is to give back to our community and neighborhood; the hope is that The Ruby can improve not only the lives of its members, but also our city and the Bay Area as a whole. My hope is that we can be a space where books get written, and project ideas get sparked, and friendships and collaborations form. My hope is that we’ll be a large enough network that the Bay Area creative community can easily find the support and help they need, in whatever form that may take.

Kerra Michele Huerta: I see BUREAU continuing to grow in membership, adding more and more ladies with different strengths and characteristics to our crew. As our membership grows, our ability to help one another grows, and our workdays and workshops are that much more productive and insightful. It takes a village, as they say, and I really believe that’s true.

Kelsey Pike: We hope to grow our class offerings and to expand our reach within the Kansas City area. We want to share our members’ knowledge and skills with a larger audience.

Alicia Driskill: As our community grows, our ecosystem will get even stronger. We help drive business to each other and connect women now . . . so the bigger the community, the more knowledge we can share. We have strategic partnerships in place that also provide free or discounted resources to our members.

Photo of BUREAU by Reema Desai Boldes

Have you changed your space or the way you work since your opening day as a result of community feedback?

Ali Greenberg: We are constantly adapting and iterating. We run surveys every month, have completely open lines of communication with members, and are always looking at ways to improve or add to the space and our programming—including a new expansion with more flexible hours!

Erinn Farrell: Absolutely! It is our commitment to our members to gather feedback and be honest and transparent with what we are learning and how we are growing. In terms of the layout of the space, we’ve adjusted elements of the space to offer more standing-desk options and larger worktables to allow our members to spread out a bit more. We’ve also adjusted our member communications to ensure our members have plenty of heads-up on programming, and we’ve continually adjusted our programming to allow our members more chances to create real connections—rather than just networking.

Rachel Khong: We’re brand-new and still evolving everything. There’s nothing that’s not still a work in progress!

Kerra Michele Huerta: Yes, definitely. What I have heard most is that people want longer opening hours, so I’m extending hours significantly from early morning to late night, and adding weekends. I hope it works out! But I honestly have no idea what I’m doing from day to day, so who knows!

Kelsey Pike: In the beginning we had trouble finding the right balance of work between our members. As the members have grown to know and trust one another and feel autonomy and agency as members of the collective, it has been increasingly easy to divide tasks based on personal interests and skills. Our members handle all aspects of managing our collective. This includes cleaning, promotional work, class programming, event coordination, and member recruitment.

Photo of The Cherry Pit Collective by Kelsey Pike

What are your top three tips for people who might be scared to join a new coworking space because they don’t know anyone yet? How can they connect and make genuine friends?

Ali Greenberg:

1. Remember that everyone there shares something in common! Don’t think that you are the only one feeling new or out of place.

2. Just show up! Check out the programming and see what piques your interest. There is always something going!

3. Any space worth their salt will make it a priority to help you feel a part of things—don’t be afraid to befriend the staff and let them know what you are looking for, whether it be the best spot to get some work done or a specific connection!

The Coven:

1. Find a community that fosters connection. Many folks need more than just a desk. People (and especially women and non-binary folks) crave spaces with resources to grow businesses and ideas, and opportunities to network with members. It’s not enough to just have a desk—find a community.

2. Go to events even if you don’t have a buddy to go with! Too often we pass on attending things because we don’t have a friend to go with. This is a great way to make new connections with folks interested in the same topic.

3. What makes a workspace a true community is the facilitation of connection between members. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you! It’s likely they’re in an industry that’s different from or complementary to yours. What a great way to learn something new, build a partnership, or create a new friend.

Rachel Khong: I’ve definitely been in that boat of being scared and not sure if someone wants to be friends with me. I’m very much an introvert, and I feel like it takes me a long time to get to know people. The benefit of being part of a space like this is that people are here because they’re interested in knowing you and meeting new people—that’s already a given. It’s nice to have that as a baseline. I’ve been thrilled to see all the get-togethers that happen outside The Ruby, too—Ruby members making plans to get dinner, or go to a comedy show, or collaborate on a project. That makes me feel like this whole experiment is working.

Kerra Michele Huerta: I am an introvert and struggle to make new friends, so I can definitely understand being scared or nervous to start at a new space.

1. Choose a space on the smaller side. If you struggle to meet people and you join a huge coworking space, you’re going to feel like a guppy in a huge aquarium. Take some time and research size and number of members before committing to a space to ensure you won’t feel overwhelmed on day one.

2. Most coworking spaces offer member events so people have a chance to mix and mingle. Check out the space’s online calendar or reach out to the space directly and ask if you can attend an event to see if it’s a good fit for you.

3. Take the time to send a little info about yourself, what you do, and what you’re into when reaching out to a space about membership. Ask them if they know of other members who have similar businesses or interests, and see if you can come in for a trial day on the same day as one or more of those people. A little extra effort on the front end can go miles in benefits in the end!

Kelsey Pike:

1. Test it out. Depending on the space, this might mean attending an event, going for a tour, or checking out open studio hours.

2. Be your authentic self from day one. If you want real connections, don’t waste time with small talk. These are people you may be spending a lot of time with; give them the opportunity to really get to know you and be a support system for you as well.

3. Once you’re in, really spend time there. You won’t make friends if you don’t show up for real face-to-face time. If applicable, try volunteering in a way that will make you a valuable member of the space.

Alicia Driskill: I hear a lot that people are scared to come to networking events by themselves, but when they do, they look down at their watch two hours later and realize how many amazing women they’ve met and how much fun they’re having. So I would say:

1. You can’t grow in your comfort zone. Get out of your own way and take the step.

2. Read the company’s mission and what they stand for and see if it resonates with you. When you read our manifesto, you know exactly what we stand for.

3. Look for a space that invites you in and introduces you to others. By getting to know our members personally, we’re able to connect them with others at events so they can start to develop deeper relationships. gc

INFORMATION

THE COVEN

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

The Coven is a collaborative community and coworking space designed with women and non-binary folks in mind.

Website: thecovenmpls.com

Instagram: @thecovenmpls

THE RUBY

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

The Ruby is an arts & letters–focused work and gathering space for creative Bay Area women of all definitions.

Website: therubysf.com

Instagram: @therubysf

BUREAU

WASHINGTON, DC

BUREAU is a boutique, members-only coworking space in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of NW Washington, DC. Designed with entrepreneurs in mind, BUREAU serves as a sanctuary for women to network, collaborate, and share ideas. This designer space is also available for private events, and hosts monthly gatherings and workshops for members and the community to come together.

Website: bureau.studio

Instagram: @bureaustudio

CHERRY PIT COLLECTIVE

KANSAS CITY, MO

Our communal art space is a 1,500-square-foot light-filled remodeled warehouse building. The original exposed-brick walls and functional support beams convey a sentiment of industrialism and craftsmanship. Today, the building houses about a dozen female makers. We emphasize collaboration and community and prioritize the voices of the marginalized.

Website: cherrypitcollective.com

Instagram: @cherry_pit_collective

THE BROAD

RICHMOND, VA

The Broad is a workspace and social club for women and gender minorities in Richmond, Virginia. The first space of its kind in the state of Virginia, The Broad’s coworking facilities during the 9-to-5 allow for a productive workday, while curated events and programs in the evenings cater to the diverse interests of a growing community.

Website: wethebroad.com

Instagram: @wethebroad

EVOLVEHER

CHICAGO, IL

evolveHer is a creative workspace designed for women to connect, collaborate, and curate a life they love. evolveHer not only provides a beautiful workspace, but also offers a robust schedule of custom programming to support its community of women in all aspects of life (business development, wellness, and connections). The 5,000-square-foot River North loft was intentionally designed to inspire creativity and serves as a unique space to host off-sites, private events, and trainings.

Website: evolveher.community

Instagram: @evolveher

Additional coworking/community spaces designed for women and non-binary creatives:

Femology

Detroit, MI

femologydetroit.com

The Hivery

Mill Valley, CA

thehivery.com

Ladies Room

Chicago, IL

ladiesroomchicago.com