Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Lee.
Ana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was a lawyer for ten years. I practiced criminal defense. I loved the clients and the job but a few things were happening that made me take a giant leap and quit. I was a mom of 3 kids and felt like I wasn’t doing motherhood very well or my job the best I could. These feelings were prevalent at the same time that I felt that my role as a woman in the office wasn’t valued as much as a man’s role.
During my year at home without the traditional job to go to, I realized I had the same feelings start creeping in: (1) feeling a bit lonely- the groundhog day of kids and home is no joke (2) I was easily distracted by laundry, dishes, home tasks when I really wanted to be productive in getting some professional type projects done. (3) I still felt chaotic and imbalanced from feeling “I needed to be doing more” to “how did I get so much done before” and “what do I really want to be doing?.”
I took action and started thinking about things that I valued in the past AND what I could do to address those feelings that other women must have as well. I realized I loved being around a community of driven women, it felt safe. I realized I loved aesthetically pleasing places, like cool hotel lobbies and fun restaurant designs for inspiration. I realized I loved advocating and helping other people, it’s rewarding. So now what?!
What if there was a place as comfortable as my own house (that I didn’t have to clean up) to get stuff done?
What if I could be around other driven women to inspire and motivate me?
What if I could feel less frazzled and more focused?
Women In Tandem was the answer! A lounge and workspace for women to focus, connect and get stuff done.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would love to find an entrepreneur that had a smooth road. There’s solace knowing that the troubleshooting and setbacks is common among new business owners.
There are so many resources for new business owners, one of the biggest struggles was narrowing down which resources were the most beneficial for the costs associated with that resource.
Another struggle was communicating our vision for WIT effectively prior to physically having the space to show people. The service was the physical space where women could retreat. But getting buy-in without the space was hard.
Finding the right space, in a convenient location, at a scaleable start-up size, and a landlord that would let a new business come in was a big hurdle. Patience was a good teacher because the right place came along.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Women In Tandem – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Women In Tandem is a lounge and workspace for women to focus, connect and get stuff done. We provide a safe and encouraging place for women to get tasks accomplished. Women can step away from the distractions of kids or employees or colleagues. They can walk into a space that is designed to be aesthetically calming, and take a deep breath.
As a company, we are most proud of the connections that are organically arising between the women just by being connected in the Women In Tandem space. We are the only space that is intentionally trying to address the needs of a multifaceted modern day woman. We have a vanity for women on the go, we have artisan handmade blankets for women to feel nurtured, oils for women to feel calm, comfortable furniture for women to feel at home and speaker programming to stimulate what is left of our brains after work and home life.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our future plans include expanding our programming and professional offerings by partnering with existing organizations that promote the success of women from motherhood to executive career positions, political offices and board positions.
Pricing:
- Day Pass $50
- Memberships range up to $250/Month
- Event Rental Space ranges from $50-$250/hour depending on scale/scope of event.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3521 Main Street
- Website: www.womenintandem.com
- Phone: 951-900-8989
- Email: wit@womenintandem.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenintandem/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenintandem/
Image Credit:
Zoom Theory Photography, Meredith Gradishar
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