Workspace Makes Room For Women

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When Jen Mojo started looking for a co-working space, she didn’t like what she found. On visits to several co-working spaces around Los Angeles, she said she found interior design that didn’t promote creativity and bathrooms that often were not accommodating to women. She also found very few women.

So Mojo founded Paper Dolls, a Brentwood co-working space specifically for women, earlier this year. It’s been successful enough that Mojo is working to open a second location, this one in Santa Monica, in the fall.

“So many women just don’t feel comfortable and don’t have many options,” Mojo said. “I knew there was an unmet demand.”

Her 1,500-square-foot Brentwood space, which opened in January and is already at capacity, houses 20 female entrepreneurs. The office features pops of color, such as orange-print wallpaper, and gray-and white houndstooth chairs.

Prices for a membership range from $99 to $1,000 a month, Mojo said, covering a range of options. For instance, there’s a membership for customers who usually work from home but might occasionally need a conference room or a mailing address. On the other end of the spectrum, members can opt for a private office with amenities such as complimentary snacks and beverages, onsite valet parking and parking validation for client meetings.

Mojo said the Santa Monica space will reflect the same amenities and design as its Brentwood location, but will be much larger. She’s looking for about 6,000 square feet for that location.

Paper Dolls is also expected to open more locations in such cities as San Francisco, Chicago and New York.

Mojo said she isn’t surprised that women were eager to join her co-working studio because she knew from experience how hard it can be to find the right work space.

“We just opened and we’re already full,” she said. “I think the trend lines are going to continue for female entrepreneurs, and being part of the solution for them is really exciting.”

On the other hand, Mojo said she’d gladly accept men.

“Think Axe body spray,” she said. “It’s clearly for adolescent boys. But if a girl likes it, she is free to wear it.”

– Subrina Hudson

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