A new co-working space for women has opened up in Chicago.
citygirl@work opened its doors in Lincoln Park Nov. 14. The space is open to cis-women, trans women and gender nonbinary entrepreneurs. The launch comes after EvolveHer, another co-working space just for women, launched in Chicago in early 2018. And The Wing, a New York-based women’s co-working space, announced plans this year to set up a Chicago location.
citygirl@work's opening comes amid a national trend of women-only co-working, which includes other spaces like The Coven and The Riveter. However, not every space has been successful. The Ladies Room Chicago, a women’s co-working space in River North, stopped operating in late September.
For now, citygirl@work has 10 spots available, but as interest grows the space will expand to house up to 20, said Sharokina Pazand, founder of citygirl@work. Prices start at $60 per month for one day per week or $250 per month for unlimited days.
“I think I can help other women start. I think the most important thing I can help them with is telling them that they can do it,” Pazand said. “Women are so powerful and so strong and yet we’re put down so often because of what society or somebody else tells us we can’t do. And I want to change that.”
The office’s perks include a mailing address for business mail, free weekly business chat sessions, happy hours, wellness sessions (including yoga and meditation), printing, a kitchen lounge, coffee and tea. In the future, Pazand said she envisions the co-working space expanding to become an incubator for women or gender non-binary-owned businesses.
Members will be listed in the space’s online directory so they can connect with one another, and Pazand plans to interview members for her City Girl in Business podcast. She is also lining up guest speakers to give talks to members and nonmembers.
The co-working space has lined up three companies to give women’s workshops so far: Creative Women’s Co., I’m Possible Women’s Empowerment Collaborative and Women in Business Connect. Pazand said she wants the space to be a place to connect with others without the discomfort of typical networking events.
“I’ve heard with some of the co-working spaces that it’s just a lot of men and … I’ve had women say, ‘Where are all the women?’” Pazand said. “It’s great to work from home. It’s awesome, but how do we get the women out being part of the community to collaborate and build relationships with each other?”
