Entrepreneur

How Coworking Space The Wing Has Helped Women Soar

Audrey Gelman opened the coworking space The Wing to give women a place to collaborate and grow their ideas. A powerful community has followed.
Laurel Golio for Girls At Library

By the time The Wing opened its doors in 2016 in the historic district of Manhattan’s Ladies’ Mile, people were clamoring to get in. The all-women coworking space attracted young professionals who were eager to spend their days alongside like-minded women, despite annual member fees of $2,350 and a very long waitlist. It’s not hard to see why: The stylishly designed space boasts amenities like showers, beauty rooms, lactation rooms and private phone booths; and the regular nighttime event series has included panels with everyone from Jennifer Lawrence to Hillary Clinton. 

Related: 4 Ways Co-Working Spaces Inspire Innovation and Collaboration

This hasn’t come without some controversy. The New York City Commission on Human Rights launched an inquiry this spring to explore potential violations of anti-discrimination that they’re in compliance with the law. And they’ve continued an aggressive , recently announcing plans to grow from four locations to 10. We talked with Gelman about challenges faced as a , the necessity of safe spaces for women, and how The Wing has become a veritable startup factory. 

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Entrepreneur

Entrepreneur2 min read
What Resiliency Really Is
When I began my career in marketing, a mentor told me this: Resilience is key. I nodded at the time, thinking I understood what he meant—that nothing is easy, that the strongwilled survive, and so on. I struggled with confidence during my early caree
Entrepreneur12 min read
There’s A Better Way To Sell And Grow Franchises
I love franchising. This industry helps people achieve their dreams of business ownership. It helps founders scale their brands into national or international successes. It can be a pathway to personal satisfaction and financial freedom. To achieve a
Entrepreneur2 min read
Entrepreneur Magazine
EDITOR IN CHIEF Jason Feifer CREATIVE DIRECTOR Paul Scirecalabrisotto DEPUTY EDITOR Frances Dodds PHOTO DIRECTOR Judith Puckett-Rinella MANAGING EDITOR Monica Im SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR Tracy Stapp Herold COPY CHIEF Jessica Levy RESEARCH Andre Carter

Related Books & Audiobooks