Why Women Entrepreneurs Should Be More Engaged In Local Co-working Spaces?

ENTREPRENEURS | CO-WORKING SPACE | STARTUPS | FOUNDERS | NETWORKING

In recent years women’s entrepreneurship is on the rise. More women than ever launch their businesses and build their startups. According to theU.S. Census Bureau data, there are currently close to 13 million women-owned businesses in the United States (42% of all American businesses) that employ 9.4 million workers and generate revenues of $1.9 trillion.

Most women-owned businesses are sole proprietorships. This can make female founders feel isolated and sometimes even discouraged. While access to capital continues to be the biggest challenge for female entrepreneurs, many women still struggle to build valuable networks to promote their ideas and businesses. The business world continues to be very much male-dominated and women still experience limited, access to high-level business networks and skilled mentors.

48% of female founders say that a lack of able advisors and mentors limits their professional growth, according to Inc.

After moving to the U.S., the lack of connections and value-driven networks has been a real personal challenge for many years. Being new to the business environment in the United States, I was looking for like-minded peers to bounce back ideas, mentors who could guide me through my entrepreneurial journey, diverse and inclusive work environments to overcome cultural barriers, and generally people who would be supportive to me and help me to move forward with my ideas.

I would never imagine that entering CIC Providence, part of the 196,000-square-foot Wexford Innovation Center in Downtown Providence would be a game-changer in my entrepreneurial journey.

The second I entered the CIC Providence co-working space I found well-occupied office space and accommodations, a state-of-art podcasting studio, and a great eat-in kitchen for chitchat. Along with all those amenities, most importantly I found value-driven networking, a collaborative work environment, supportive staff, and a community that shares similar goals, vision, and values.

Today, I’m excited to call CIC Providence my new sanctuary. Every week I air the HyeTech Minds Podcast from their podcasting studio.

Here’s how I took the advantage of CIC Providence to launch my venture:

Find your tribe. Finding your own tribe can not only help build a better business but, more importantly, help you feel supported. As a woman entrepreneur it’s more critical to have a support system, and people around who share similar goals and mindset.

84 % of people who started to use co-working spaces feel more engaged and motivated than they used to.

Many women entrepreneurs already have an interest in joining co-working spaces. In 2019 alone, women’s membership in co-working spaces reached 50%. Take this opportunity to build your own circle of people.

I personally found a women-led team at CIC Providence, many incredible women entrepreneurs, freelancers, and contractors from different industries.

We all know coffee chat is an effective way to build a network, connect with peers, and mingle around. At CIC Providence we have a huge eat-in-kitchen with a lot of goodies, the best coffee in the town, and hot chocolate. Every time I’m there I get my hot chocolate and catch up with others in the community.

Be engaging. Do not hesitate to get in touch with staff for help.

One thing I’ve experienced with CIC Providence that never had before is the tremendous attention I’m getting from staff. They have this unique individualized approach to their members. From time to time they reach out to you to see how everything goes, and what they can do to make your experience better.

So, take advantage of this attention. Do not hesitate to reach out to the team to connect you with someone else at CIC that you’re interested in talking to.

Power of networking. One of the greatest benefits that come with co-working spaces is the ability to be part of vibrant networking events. The majority of co-working spaces hold two events each month, some might have up to 10 events a month. Those events usually have a big variety to pick from — meetups, conferences, workshops, mentorship hours, etc.

79% of cowering users have expanded their social networks as a result of joining a vibrant co-working space.

With the daily hustle and bustle, we all are stuck with our responsibilities and there’s less time to mingle around. If you are not able to attend all the events held by your co-working space, at least pick 1–2 events a month that is best aligned with your business goals. At those events, you meet dozens of entrepreneurs, professionals from various industries. Always keep in mind you never know where your greatest business leaders will come from.

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