A few months ago at our Tuesdays Together meeting, a charismatic and friendly woman named Jarius joined us for the first time.  I immediately enjoyed her– she does a little bit of everything (kind of like me), including a past with teaching and a present with business coaching.  She told us that evening of a dream she was deep into, one she was hoping to come to fruition very soon: A women’s co-working space in Springfield, IL.  I was immediately fascinated, but also admittedly confused. What exactly is that, do we need it here, how would it function, and what would it look like?

We began following each other on social media and I got to watch her dream take shape from afar over the next few months. She found a building. She raised funds.  She works incredibly hard on this passion project that she so clearly is throwing her heart into.  And this past month, she opened The Kreative Lounge.  We immediately began discussing holding a Tuesdays Together meeting there– and yesterday was the day!

I was excited to see her space and her vision come to life, and even more so anxious to put a real look and design to this idea I had heard her speak about.  It’s location is in the local mall, in a portion of the building that used to be used for a small college (though it is anything but small!), and while I knew the general idea behind it, it took seeing it to get it.

We were welcomed into a beautiful, warm, bright space…well, many spaces actually!  There are 6 different rooms of different sizes and types depending on needs (large classroom, space with round tables more for collaboration, crafting room, a room with cubicles for quieter work, a big meeting room, and a smaller private office) in addition to a main lounge.  The ceilings are high, you can smell the (free!) coffee, and everywhere you turn it is comfortable and encouraging.  The whole idea made so much sense to me.  

Co-working spaces aren’t new to women, or even to Springfield. But a women’s co-working space, designed for women with women in mind, in a location with close and easy and free parking isn’t here yet.  It is a widely practiced type of space on the east coast, and even as close as St Louis, but Jarius has done something revolutionary and beautiful here.  The space is designed for YOU!  For moms and women who are working from home…or trying to work from home as we all know it is pretty tricky to do, especially with little ones around, who need a quiet, clean, bright space where they can go…that isn’t Starbucks…to get work done faster, better, and in a way that is much more collaborative and fun! I know Jarius would explain it much better than me but her space is so multi-functional.  There are many creative classes held there each month (paint nights, tshirt making, art classes for kids, etc), and members get early booking and discounts on the classes. But the real point is to give women (and students!) who don’t have an office a place to go to do their work (and have some fun too), and it is such a wonderful place for just that.

I told her that it really took me to see the space to get it, so I wanted to share some pictures with you from it and from our meeting– but trust me, they don’t do it justice.  It is so easy to get to and find, and you can pop in anytime for details! Park in between Macys and LA Fitness, entering the mall through that main entrance (she has an exterior door that will be functioning one day!), you walk down a hallway that is store-less (IE, quiet and non-distracting!), turn left, and she is the first spot!  Stop in to meet Jarius and get details on memberships- it is a great deal and a truly inspiring space!

First, pictures of the beautiful Kreative Lounge!

Meet Jarius, the dreamer and creator of this space!

And a few informal pictures from our meeting!

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