The first thing you notice when you walk through the double doors of HER Place, a new coworking space for women in the heart of downtown, is a sign that says, “Ditch your comfort zone”.
Founder Andrea Wetzel did just that when she signed the lease on the Queen Street building and began renovating it into what she calls an “inspiring and collaborative workspace for women”. The life coach, who runs Ambitious Soul Life Coaching, said she chose the location because of the “great vibe” of Main Street.
Dove grey walls and floors mind their own business, big windows let in lots of natural light, and white laminate desks and comfy chairs await the first customers. A two-minute walk takes you to Main Street.
“I was inspired by the coworking spaces in Toronto and I wondered why we didn’t have that here,” Wetzel said, who was born and raised in Newmarket. “I had a brief moment of, uh oh, I’m going out on a limb. But I go with my gut and believe you should do the things that make your heart happy.”
Wetzel, a former professional horse rider, now rides the growing trend of coworking spaces that encourage clients to share, collaborate and support one another’s business efforts. There are now 80 such spaces across the GTA, according to Colliers International research. And while the demand is fairly new, the findings show it has been steadily climbing over the last decade.
Potential HER Place customers could include those who are self-employed and need a space to hold workshops, lunch-and-learn facilitators, entrepreneurs meeting with prospective clients, or employees of micro-businesses and start-ups who don’t yet have a work space of their own.
A membership at HER Place offers: daily, weekly and monthly access to the facilities, which include a 10-person boardroom, an eight-person meeting room, wi-fi, a kitchenette and coffeemaker, eight private and semi-private workspaces, and parking.
Booking the space is done online. If you need a desk for a day to finish a proposal, for example, you’ll pay $22. The added benefit, of course, is that you’re encouraged to chat with others working there in the spirit of support, collaboration and friendship.
HER Place opens Monday, Sept. 10. For more information, click here
