We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emma Holland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emma below.

Emma, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At The Collab, our story is rooted in a deep desire to create a space where women from all backgrounds can come together to work, connect, and thrive. Located just 20 minutes north of Nashville in Hendersonville, The Collab is more than just a coworking and event space. Our mission is to provide a dynamic, approachable environment where women can find support and inspiration, and where anyone can host their ideal gathering or celebration.

Whether for work, workshops, or celebrations, our vibrant and inclusive space is designed to foster joy, learning, and connection. From knocking out your to-do list and client calls, to celebrations and educational events, we are proud our space can hold a wide range of gatherings that enrich the lives of those in our community.

As someone who’s not originally from this area, I longed for a community beyond religious spaces or work colleagues. I wanted to connect with women, learn from them, be inspired, and make friends. Creating The Collab was personal—I built the space I wish had existed. Offering a venue for connection, groups, events, and celebrations was once beyond what I could have imagined, but today it’s clear just how much of a blessing it has become for our community in Sumner County.

Our vision is to cultivate belonging, encourage connection, and inspire those around us. By supporting women and building community, we believe that when one person thrives, their business thrives, and ultimately, our entire community thrives. Together, we are better.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Emma, and I’m the founder and CEO of The Collab in Hendersonville, TN. In 2021, as a new mom working in the corporate world, I found myself craving community and in-person connection. One day, I decided to host a Mom’s Night Out to meet other local moms, not knowing what to expect. To my surprise, 21 women showed up, all saying the same thing: I need community! From that night, a few of us committed to keeping these gatherings going monthly. We also hosted a market for women-owned small businesses and developed a thriving online community of business owners.

That’s how I met my business partner, Fabi. We both shared a passion for supporting women and felt inspired to take this movement further. As I explored what that could look like, I came across women-focused coworking spaces and instantly knew this was something our community needed. Fast forward to May 2023, when we officially opened the doors to The Collab—Sumner County’s only women-focused coworking space and one of the few mid-sized event venues in the area.

The Collab offers an open coworking space by day, three private offices, and a meeting room for client calls or in-person meetings. In the evenings and on weekends, our space transforms into a venue for events and gatherings.

When it comes to coworking, think of us like a gym—you can choose between a membership or a day pass, depending on how often you’d like to use the space. Our space offers plenty of open seating, abundant natural light, and ample parking. For added peace of mind, the door is always locked to ensure safety. Members also enjoy a fully stocked kitchen with drinks and snacks, and complimentary printing. We’re honored by the feedback we receive—our members love having a beautiful, peaceful, and productive space to work away from home.

For our event users, the appeal lies in our beautifully decorated, affordable, and easily accessible venue. Our space is wheelchair accessible, has a large kitchen island for event catering, includes TV/speaker connections, and seating up to 50. Whether for celebrations or workshops, we’ve designed a space that’s welcoming and easy to enjoy.

What we’re most proud of is that The Collab has become a staple in our community—a reliable, inclusive, and safe space where people can be productive, connect, and thrive.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

We faced challenges with funding because, as a startup, there weren’t many options available. After meeting with several banks, we ultimately decided to self-fund the initial costs for setting up our LLC, branding, legal fees, and more. Fortunately, our building owner agreed to build out our space to a white box, with the costs spread out over our monthly rent. This significantly reduced the upfront costs, which was a huge help and something I would recommend other startups look for if they can.

Next, we launched a major crowdfunding campaign that ran for just over a month. Through this campaign, we sold memberships, event bookings, and more, working tirelessly to spread the word. In the end, we raised over $26,000, which allowed us to build out and furnish the space to get it ready for opening. This approach worked for us because our space was more than just a building—it had heart and a mission, and was part of a larger movement to build community.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Our reputation within the market has grown largely because we stay true to our mission of being inclusive and open to everyone. We make a point to be accessible and accommodating, ensuring we meet the needs of our community. People see us as cheerleaders and encouragers, always working creatively and with intention to offer gatherings and events that truly benefit the women in our area. We strive to be friendly and approachable—like a warm hug—so our community knows they can come to us with anything, whether it’s asking for the best lunch spot or advice on handling a tough conversation at work.

What sets us apart is our constant effort to stay connected and engaged. We’re not just here to provide a space; we’re here to uplift, foster connections, and collaborate. Being active and present in our community is key, and that’s what people recognize and appreciate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecollabtn.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecollabtn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCollabTN

Image Credits

Elizabeth McGlathery, Lani Meyer, Vivian of VBG Photography, Kitti Simonsen, and FemForce Brand Photography