Women-Only Co-Working Space Opens In River North

CHICAGO, IL — A new co-working loft has opened on West Ontario Street in Chicago's River North neighborhood. The office is a women-only space designed to encourage collaboration and foster a sense of community among women in business. The space is being funded by former entertainment and media executive Alicia Driskill.

Driskill, who lives in the River Forest/Oak Park area with her husband and two kids, launched EvolveHer in a 5,000-square-foot loft at 358 W. Ontario St. The 39-year-old former vice president of global partnerships at entertainment agency WME-IMG envisioned an open-concept space, without a string of private workspaces such as those offered by WeWork.

Women-only co-working spaces have launched in many of North America's largest cities. "The Ladies Room" launched in Chicago last year as part of the Coalition Impact co-working office space.

Driskill told Crain's that EvolveHer is intended to assist women in business who might be intimidated by a predominantly male environment.
"One of the key pieces of being an entrepreneur is that vulnerability side. It's important for us to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, saying 'I don't know how do this, can anybody help me?' " Driskill told Crain's. "We're providing a place where women feel comfortable to talk about that."

Memberships range from #100 per month to $389 per month.

Photos by Anna Zajac, courtesy of EvolveHer