We recently connected with Chelsey Zawadzki and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chelsey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
My search for what is now The Hive began from childhood. Growing up I struggled to find “my people”. I was always bouncing around from friend group to friend group, never feeling like I quite belonged anywhere. Fast forward to college and then eventually my career as a Veterinary Technician, the trend carried on. I always felt like Cinderella’s ugly stepsister trying to shove my foot into a shoe that was never meant for me. Eventually this led to me leaving my career to become a full time mom to our 2 babes, Alivia who is now 11 and Beau 4. I dove head first into this new path and LOVED every second (almost). Never missing a single moment of their childhood was a dream come true however, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was slowly losing my own identity. I was a mom with a messy bun, covered in spit up, probably not smelling the greatest, and carting kids around like a shuttle service, I needed more! The search continued… I began meal prepping for others, I sold artwork, dabbled in interior design, I even tried my hand at direct sales. No dice. It wasn’t until my usual nap-time scroll that I stumbled upon a post from an influencer and a light bulb went off. Maybe what I had been searching for all along didn’t exist here yet and others were looking for it too!! This woman had made a post about stopping into a women’s coworking space in a city across the country. I had never heard of coworking before but after a quick search (AKA an ADHD all night hyper-fixation) I was sold! We had coworking spaces of various sizes scattered throughout the Rochester area but none that fit like the glass slipper. I wanted my space to be a hub for all things woman. A bridge between work and home that by day, women could work along side each-other in a community like setting, chit chatting, comparing notes and strategies, leaning on one another, and creating the “village” that many of us lack. By night I wanted to offer fun and educational classes taught by our peers. Want to learn about investing? Web design? Social media? Watercolor? Calligraphy? Great, as a coworking member that’s included in your membership! And on the flip-side, those teaching the classes suddenly have a room full of new prospects to connect and build a relationship with. #winning. Much like a bee hive, our space in nothing but a container providing a shelter and a safe space for women to come together as a family. Welcome home to our Hive <3
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
First and foremost I am a wife to my amazing husband and a mom to my 2 littles. After that, this question is kind of tough. I think I’m still trying to figure that out myself. What I do know is that I love people and I have a gift for feeling the room. In the past I used that gift mainly to keep me safe but now I get to use that gift to make others feel that way too. If you come to The Hive for a visit, your first steps in, I think you will have a pretty firm grasp of who I am. There is usually music playing (Women in Country Radio on Pandora is my fave), there is a bunch of pink, various seating options, Coke in the fridge, great coffee, the scent of Capri Blue Volcano in the air, art on the walls that changes frequently, and an overall feeling of finding home.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
For me the most effective way that I have used to continued to grow The Hive and build brand awareness is through collaborations! This has been through partnering with class instructors, online cross posting and sharing through social media, swag bags for new members with local products, working with various networking groups, and leaning into the constant give and take of knowledge between businesses. We all have something to offer that another small business could use our help with and vice versa. Gone are the days of gatekeeping here! “A rising tide lifts all boats”
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
“You must have it all together, all the time in order to be successful”- Contrary to what social media would like us to beieve, this couldn’t be farther than the truth! I could just be speaking for myself but, I hardly have matching socks on let alone having all of my ducks in a row regarding my business. I think the main lesson I have learned, is to channel my inner Ross and get really great at yelling “pivot” while trying to navigate entrepreneurship. I am constantly taking in data and trying new things to decide where we head next. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehiveroc.com
- Instagram: @thehiveroc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehiveroc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coworkingroc/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/thehiveroc
Image Credits
Susan Elizabeth Portraits Work Play Branding