Coworking + Women: The Rise of Coworking Spaces for Women

In 2015, women held just 15% of C-suite positions in the US. Today, that number has jumped to 29%. 

This is huge progress when it comes to increasing women representation in the workplace. But there is still lots of work to be done.

Based on this rate of change, it would take nearly 50 years for the representation of women in senior leadership roles to equal their share of the US population.

So how can we support women in closing this gap quickly?

Let us introduce you to coworking spaces for women.

What is a coworking space for women?

Coworking spaces for women are workplaces designed to support the unique needs of people who identify as women. These communities offer a safe space free of judgment, and a supportive community of like-minded individuals.

The goal is to provide women with the resources and community they need to thrive in the world of business and entrepreneurship. They’re places where women can come together, learn from one another, and empower each other to grow and succeed.

As Christa Talbott, co-founder at women-focused coworking space Salon22 put it, coworking spaces for women are just versions of the “old boys clubs” that men have had for decades.

Women-focused vs. Women-only coworking spaces

Some coworking spaces for women are women-focused, meaning they welcome and allow memberships from men. The demographic tends to be self-selecting, however men are able to work in the coworking space if they’d like.

In contrast, women-only coworking spaces only allow access to their space to women. 

What was the first coworking space for women?

The first women’s only coworking space, Hera Hub, opened in 2011. It was one of only a few hundred coworking spaces in the world at the time, and it made history as the first coworking space designed for women.

According to Hera Hub Founder Felena Hanson, the space was specifically aimed at “giving women entrepreneurs and freelancers a space to connect and collaborate, in a unique, spa-inspired setting”.

Since then, hundreds of coworking spaces for women, including Optix clients Salon22 and Elevate Coworking. Each of these spaces have their own unique spin on how they best support women.

Other notable spaces through the years have included The Coven, Make Lemonade, and The Wing. Although some are no longer operational, they’ve played a critical role in shaping this important niche.

Benefits of coworking spaces for women

Despite making up about 47% of the workforce, women today still face unique challenges in work environments like sexual harassment, sexism, and gender biases. 

These challenges negatively impact the mental and physical health of women, not to mention, their ability to successfully do their job.

Coworking spaces for women reduce the likelihood of these challenges occurring by creating safe spaces for women. In turn, women can advance their careers and build a supportive network of peers. 

Benefits of working in a coworking space for women include:

• Offers a community of other women in business: being one of the only women at work can be hard. Women-focused workspaces offer women a community to learn from and grow with
• Unique networking and learning opportunities: coworking spaces for women offer unique programs designed especially for women, such as a speaking spot from Hillary Clinton
• Enhanced culture: women often cite that their favorite thing about women coworking spaces is the culture they experience, one that is created by the positive community of support around them.

Amenities in coworking spaces for women

When Maggie Blackham opened her coworking space for women, Elevate Coworking, she was most excited about the amenities.

“There’s tampons in the bathroom. There’s coffee when you’re thirsty. Probably my favorite feature is a throw blanket ladder in our lobby,” says Maggie.

Though they may seem small, these are the things that people remember because it affects how they feel. 

Some amenities typically provided in a coworking spaces for women include:

• Nursing room
• On-site childcare
• Mental or physical health services
• Female mentorship opportunities
• Keynote speaking events from women in business
• Healthy snacks or complimentary tea and coffee
• Morning yoga or meditation sessions

Examples of coworking spaces for women

Optix is proud to power a number of women-focused and women-only coworking spaces. These spaces are building thriving communities of powerful women in the workplace — we’re so excited to feature them and their spaces!

Salon22

Salon22 is a member-based coworking space for women located in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was founded by four powerhouse women with a shared goal of “shifting the balance of power” in the vibrant city of New Orleans.

The space is stunning, the programming is thoughtfully designed, and the commitment to diversity and self-improvement is inspiring change both in their local community and beyond. They are truly an inspiration when it comes to building a safe space to empower and support women.

Learn how Salon22 is using Optix to build a community of engaged women →

Elevate Coworking

Elevate Coworking is the first coworking and shared office space in Wilmington, North Carolina created specifically for women. Some of their amenities include unlimited coffee, zen phone booths, and 24/7 access for their members.

The space is inspired by Founder Maggie Blackham’s experiences as a woman entrepreneur and a mom of two seeking community and connection with other like-minded women. For that reason, it’s especially equipped with anything a woman would need on the day-to-day.

Learn how Maggie is using Optix to automate her coworking space for women and run a better business →

Key considerations when starting a coworking space for women

Interested in creating a productivity oasis for the women in your community? Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Understand the legality of creating a women-only space

A few years ago, the American Civil Liberties Union reported on the legality of creating a workspace that prohibits anyone other than women to join. 

Their conclusion was that while women-only coworking spaces are not in violation of any particular law, it’s important to consider who may be excluded when such a space is created.

Because of this, many spaces consider themselves to be women-focused, rather than women-only, and open their space up to anyone who wants to join with an understanding that it is designed to be an inclusive space for women+.

2. Inclusivity and creating a safe space are key

Coworking spaces should always be open and inclusive, but this becomes even more important when creating a coworking space for women. Here, a safe space is a key differentiator and value proposition.

For that reason, it’s worth considering ways that you can go above and beyond to create a safe space. Whether that means:

• Creating detailed house rules that outline community behavior policies
• Conducting regular anonymous surveys to understand how women are feeling in the space
• Having a no-tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination

3. Think about how you’re going to cultivate a community

In the words of Mitchell Purdy from Suite Genius, community is hard to just turn on. But once it’s there, you can watch it take on a life of its own.

As an operator, you’ll be tasked with cultivating community and bringing women together. There are so many ways you can do this, from hosting regular coworking events to building an online directory.

The team at Salon22 decided to incorporate community building into the design of the space itself. They intentionally chose to avoid having any kind of private offices or closed-off spaces to encourage connection between members.

4. Go beyond the basic offerings

Yes, women are looking for a place to work. But they’re looking for more than that, too.

They’re looking for community, safety, and support. They’re looking for something that makes them better as people. And coworking spaces for women can provide all of this and more.

Maggie is all about going above and beyond what a traditional coworking space is expected to provide. Not only does she focus on the little things, like feminine hygiene products in the bathroom and cozy blankets in the lounge, she has also intentionally designed Elevate Coworking’s offerings to support women entrepreneurs in improving themselves and their business.

She creates helpful resources for her members including blogs and newsletters, and hosts classes and workshops focused on building community and helping women connect with one another.

Using Optix to power your coworking space for women

Optix supports coworking spaces for women by empowering them with the technology they need to automate their business and cultivate community. With Optix, our clients can:

• Automate daily repetitive tasks, like member onboarding and desk bookings
• Connect individuals with one another via a digital platform
• Promote upcoming events, from keynote speakers to happy hours

Coworking spaces for women are an important part of the coworking ecosystem, and we’re proud to support them.

Learn more about how Optix can support your women-focused coworking space.