What happens when a lifelong hairstylist-turned-life-coach steps away from the salon and builds one of the most flexible, hyper-local coworking models I've ever seen?

You get The Foundry Workspaces, created and operated by Vena Boddy, who brings an action-oriented, community-centered approach to coworking that works beautifully in her Michigan suburb.

In this episode, Vena shares her unexpected journey into coworking, how her husband's early entrepreneurial experiences inspired their model, and why she leaned fully into fractional private offices instead of the typical dedicated office or open coworking setup. If you've ever wondered whether part-time private offices can actually work, Vena is proof that they can—not only functionally, but profitably.

We talk about:

• How her background as a hairstylist and certified life coach shaped her philosophy as an operator
• How she runs a mostly unstaffed space while still delivering a boutique, high-touch experience
• Why her day passes and conference room rentals have become an unexpectedly strong revenue driver
• The power of being embedded in the local community—especially in smaller markets
• Why her 24 five-star Google reviews in year one are no accident
• The Foundry Workspaces' next chapter: a new workshop space coming in 2026

Vena's story is such a refreshing reminder that coworking doesn't have to look one certain way. You can take the space you already have, design around the needs of the people in your community, and create something that is profitable, personal, and sustainable.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Vena Boddy on LI

The Foundry Workspaces' website

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

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