BUSINESS FEATURE The GroveWorkspace forWomen Local coworking space aims to support women entrepreneurs juggling multiple roles W hen Lori Gasca needed to work outside the distrac- tions in her home, she often found herself in co ee shops.
BY ALLY BOLENDER
foundation for women to come here and grow. We’ve had some women come and their business take o , and they leave The Grove to go to a bigger place or have their own location—I love that.” More than an o ce Gasca said The Grove quickly blos- somed into a close-knit community of women. “We have people here who can support her with social media, business coaches who can support her with [human resources] stu if she needs it, legal [assistance], … photographers,” Gasca said. Gasca said the space often hosts business development seminars, monthly educational lunch-ins and “girls’ night out” networking events at local restaurants. The Grove can also be rented for personal- and busi- ness-related events. A networking membership is available for women who do not necessarily need a place to work but want to be a member of The Grove community and bene t from networking events and seminars. Other memberships o er women 24/7 access to the workspace. “I want to create a safe place where people can come [and] we can celebrate them when they do well,” Gasca said. While The Grove has expanded twice since opening in August 2019, Gasca said she is still working on new ways to support local women. “I like to dream big,” Gasca said. “I believe if your dreams are not scaring you, they’re probably not big enough.” Gasca also established The Grove online business directory at www.thegrovedirectory.com. Gasca said the directory o ers a variety of a ordable listing options for women to list their business while allowing cus- tomers to support local woman-owned services, products and providers. “By de nition, we are a coworking space, … but it’s more relationship and community-based than anything,” Gasca said.
However, frustrated with spotty Wi-Fi, disturbances and the lack of accessibility to o ce materials, Gasca said she saw the need to create a workspace for local businesswomen. “I wanted to go somewhere that I really enjoyed being, and so I thought, ‘If I need this, other women need this as well,’” Gasca said. In August 2019, Gasca opened The Grove Workspace for Women. Recognizing that it can be di cult for women to juggle a business while being a wife and mom, she set out to make The Grove a coworking place where women can build connections, collaborate and see success in their individual professional journeys. “I really wanted to think of all the things that might keep you from being productive in your day if you’re working out of your house and then provide all those answers here,” Gasca said. After roughly a year of operation, The Grove relocated to a larger space to meet the demand of clients before expanding a second time. Gasca said The Grove o ers a workspace for women with roles such as artists, entrepreneurs, lawyers, interior designers and women in work-from- home roles. “I wanted it to be professional so that you can meet your clients here and feel comfortable [knowing] that you’re going to be bringing them into a space that you’d be proud to bring them to, but I also wanted it to be super comfortable and have some feminine touches,” she said. The Grove has a large open cowork- ing space as well as furnished private o ces that can be rented hourly, daily or permanently. As a workspace for women, Gasca said The Grove decor is feminine, inviting and comfortable, all while remaining professional. “Empowering women is my pas- sion,” Gasca said. “I want to be that
Local entrepreneur Lori Gasca created The Grove Workspace for Women to support women’s success in their individual professions.
PHOTOS BY ALLY BOLENDER COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS The Grove Workspace for Women o ers a variety of bene ts for members of the workspace community.
Unlimited co ee, tea and snacks for members and member guests
Business mailing address
Access to commercial printer and o ce supplies
High-speed secure Wi-Fi
Rental credit for a private o ce, conference room space or The Grove event space
Access to personal and business development seminars
Networking events
24/7 access to The Grove
The Grove social media exposure
Free professional headshots
SOURCE: THE GROVE WORKSPACE FOR WOMEN COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
The Grove has a large coworking space for seminars and luncheons.
Gasca said The Grove decor is designed to be comfortable and feminine.
The GroveWorkspace forWomen 350 Nursery Road, Ste. 1101, The Woodlands 832-808-5237 www.thegroveworkspace.com
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Visiting hours: Mon.-Thu. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., closed Sun. (24/7 access for members)
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THE WOODLANDS EDITION • APRIL 2022
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