Meet Alison, Co-Owner of WORK. by The Office Stylist

A couple of years ago, I tried out a coworking space in Sherman Oaks called WORK. by The Office Stylist. It is a super cool coworking office & you can read more about my experience here. I kept in touch with Alison, the co-owner, from that point on. She has seen my blog evolve & I have watched her grow her coworking business AND her family! 🙂

I am so thrilled to introduce you to my friend & the latest Real Mom of the SFV, Alison Massie!

(Image source: Alison Massie)

How/why did you begin your business?
Alison: My friend Sayeh (The Office Stylist) and I shared an office for a few years since we were both entrepreneurs (I’m also a consultant) tired of working from home. It was a fun, girly space and people would often say to us that they wished they could work in such a cute office. So, we decided to do just that and open a stylish co-working space so other entrepreneurs could join us!

As a working mother, what is one tip or piece of advice that you would give to other female entrepreneurs?
Alison: Lists on lists on lists. I was a fan of lists prior to having a baby, but now they are even more essential. They don’t just help me keep track of everything; they also give me peace of mind. I find that if I make a list for the next day the night before, that I’m able to enjoy the evening more and relax.

What do you like best about having a business in the San Fernando Valley?
Alison: Oh the parking for sure! 🙂 We chose Sherman Oaks for our co-working space because it was the midpoint for the two of us between where we live, but the parking is a bonus of being in the Valley. Had we opened the space on the Westside, we more than likely wouldn’t be able to offer our members the choice to park on the street for free if they’d like. Plus, Sherman Oaks is full of great restaurants and cafes.

If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
Alison: If you are opening a brick-and-mortar business, you will be dealing with people.  With that comes the good and the bad. I’ve made a lot of new friends and business connections through my business, but we’ve also had to deal with the flakes, weirdos and jerks. Prepare yourself for that.

Just like Alison, I am a huge fan of lists – paper ones, electronic ones on my cell like Evernote & even fun ones like The List App developed by B.J. Novak! I think that is a super helpful tip that she gave. I SO agree with Alison’s reasons for having a coworking space in Sherman Oaks. The free parking near her building is a real plus in my book, especially with the location being close to cool restaurants! It is relatively near the 405 Freeway, so after working in her coworking space, I can jump on the on-ramp & head down to the Westside for a meeting!

Being a mom & owning a business, especially a brick-and-mortar business can be challenging, as we’ve heard from previous Real Moms of the SFV. Thanks Alison for sharing your experiences with my readers!

If you’d like to give coworking a try, check out the website here. Don’t forget to “like” WORK. by The Office Stylist on Facebook so that you can get their latest updates!

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The image shown in this post is used with permission. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.