Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Athanas.
Sarah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I like to say that I’m an art major who went to the dark side and became an entrepreneur. It has been an interesting path! I grew up in Cape Cod, MA. I graduated from art school in California with a focus on video and installation and decided that I wanted to make a documentary film.
My documentary dreams led me to South America, where I first landed in the Patagonia region of Chile. I volunteered as an English teacher there while I shot and produced my first film “Tracking Patagonia.” I also kept a blog during that time, which landed me a marketing position at a language and travel firm based in Denver. That position paid the bills while I worked on the editing and post production of my film. I also realized that much to my dismay, I actually loved marketing.
The Denver company promoted me and sent me to Buenos Aires, Argentina to manage a team of web designers and developers. I spent two years learning the ins and outs of managing an overseas operation and then decided to go freelance, so I could have more freedom to enjoy the rich life and culture in Buenos Aires. Freelancing in Buenos Aires was really fun and the remote workforce was vibrant — I was always out and about, meeting friends for “work dates” in cafes.
When I moved back to the states, I spent a lonely winter freelancing on Cape Cod. I missed the constant activity and interaction with strangers that I enjoyed so much in Buenos Aires. I decided to start a coworking space in New Bedford to foster the social connection I felt our region was lacking.
Has it been a smooth road?
Running my own business has been and continues to be a roller coaster. The stakes are higher than being a freelancer because suddenly you have overhead and bills to pay. Suddenly people expect and depend on you to be open. It is both scary and exciting.
My best advice? Surrender to the roller coaster. Accept that your life will be unpredictable, that you will think about work constantly, and that you will have many sleepless nights. Accept that some things will be completely under your control and others will not.
The good news is that this is one rewarding roller coaster ride. There is nothing better than working for your own dream and seeing it pay off. I can’t stress that enough. Once you work for yourself, you will never go back.
We’d love to hear more about Groundwork!.
My coworking space is called Groundwork! If you haven’t heard of coworking spaces, they have shared workspaces for remote workers, freelancers, small businesses, and anyone else who belongs the independent workforce.
We are the first of our kind here in New Bedford. New Bedford is a small, redeveloping city with a lot of challenges and a ton of opportunities. The people who work here are bright, talented, and really engaged in their city. We care a whole heck of a lot about making New Bedford a better place. So, Groundwork! has become much more than a simple office space — it is a community and a cultural movement.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Stay with it through the ups and downs, and learn to keep yourself balanced even when things are crazy. (They will always be crazy.) Lean on mentors you can trust, friends you can vent to, and people who love you. Your support network is your greatest asset. Finally, get really clear on your “why” and remind yourself of it constantly. Don’t lose sight of the passion. Remember to have fun.
Pricing:
- Community Membership $30
- Part Time $100
- Full Time $200
- Dedicated Desk $250
Contact Info:
- Address: 1213 Purchase St. Unit 2
New Bedford, MA 02740 - Website: newbedfordcoworking.com
- Phone: 508-441-4622
- Email: info@newbedfordcoworking.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/groundwork_newbedford
- Facebook: facebook.com/newbedfordcoworking
- Twitter: twitter.com/groundwork_nb
Image Credit:
Groundwork Creative Space LLC
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