The coworking industry has continuously evolved from its popularization a decade ago. The appeal of coworking is about community and offers something more validating than your typical office cubicle. But with rising membership, sometimes unattainable fees, are such companies truly inclusive to a diverse community?
Coworking operators, such as The Coven and The Wing, focus on offering female-centric amenities in order to tackle these issues.
“I truly believe femme forward isn’t just a moment we’re having with #MeToo and Time’s Up, isn’t just a flash in a pan,” said Alex Steinman, co-founder and CEO of the Coven. “This is a real movement that will lead to something bigger, brighter, a more femme-forward economy, and we’re already seeing that shift and that change.”
Steinman, advertising veterans Bethany Iverson, Liz Giel, and Erinn Farrell came together as the Minneapolis MadWomen in order to support marginalized groups like women and people of color and eventually opened the Coven.
Both the Coven and The Wing provide free memberships to disadvantaged groups in order to directly improve their communities and offer women easier access to a supportive network.
Precious Wallace, a 26-year-old black graphic designer is a member of the Coven and found the space to benefit her career.
“I’ve been able to cross paths with so many women and folks I’ve never thought I needed to know until I met them,” said Wallace. “There has been a few women and different people who constantly are doing things around self-care and self-love that I find to be very important for myself and my own business.”
