This week’s featured Woman in Business is Natasha Mohan, CEO and Founder of WorkSocial
WorkSocial is a female and minority-owned coworking space that offers private, shared, virtual offices and flexible solutions that match the individual needs of entrepreneurs and businesses. Our virtual office service Flexy is available to entrepreneurs and businesses across the U.S. and overseas.
This is her interview…
Tell us about your business
WorkSocial was founded with the mission to support small business endeavors, community outreach, mentoring, and entrepreneurial needs while promoting a well and happy lifestyle that match an individual’s unique working needs. The company offers an array of options for scaling startups, entrepreneurs and growing businesses, and provides premium amenities such as virtual reception service, secure server access, shipping and mailing, onsite notary and complimentary high-speed Wifi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks.
At WorkSocial, we are not serving a singular niche market; our clients range from a variety of different industries from software development, research and marketing, tech, nonprofits, sports industries and financial investment companies, including cryptocurrency.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
About 20 years ago, my husband and I started investing in residential and commercial real estate properties. I opened a small office space and, in doing so, found my passion for creating spaces that are both comfortable and productive for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. In August 2015, I founded WorkSocial, and I opened the doors to our headquarters location in Jersey City, NJ, by February 2016.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
One of the greatest influences on my business career has been my family and friends. My mother worked in the hospitality business. I saw how she interacted with her clients, and I grew up seeing that. My husband has taught me that organization drives success and to live by my calendar. I am thankful to have friends who have taught me to enjoy success as it comes and not be so serious all of the time. My kids constantly challenge me to think outside the box and constantly adapt to meet challenges and changing times. I also admire Indira Nooyi has been an inspiration to all women who aspire to be business leaders while balancing family life. With hard work and dedication to your passions, you can have it all.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
My greatest professional accomplishment is the team we have put together today. Not just internally but with vendors who we can count on to provide our clients the best possible coworking space experience. There came a point while we were scaling that we had to put a team together to support that growth. I am fortunate to have the support and passion to which our team strives for great customer relations.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
Before success will come failures. Running a business is a learning process. If you don’t experience those failures, how will you learn? Give yourself a pat on your back every time you step forward in your journey, but don’t be so hard on yourself when something does not work out.
What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
Focus on your web presence and the SEO tools you are using to get noticed on the world wide web. Spend money on a team who can help you be successful here. Keep your website always up to date and relevant. Your digital presence is how people will get to know you.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
Don’t be stubborn, and be open to new ideas. People are there to help you along the way, listen to them, and keep an open mind. You never know which idea is going to bring you the most success.
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?
Early on in my business, I read “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It” by Chris Voss. From reading this book, I learned crucial negotiating tactics and nine effective principles to become more persuasive in both your business and personal life. Although most people are looking for a bargain, you should never undersell yourself or your business. When you have quality, reliable services with a strong business model, people recognize the value in that and are willing to pay more. The principals helped reinforce my customer service skills, including how to not just recognize but anticipate my clients’ needs so that I am able to proactively serve them rather than reacting to their needs as they come up.
In 2019, we welcomed Chris Voss to our WorkSocial headquarters in Jersey City, where he held a workshop and shared some go-to tactics and strategies. It was an honor to meet him in person and share some of his insights with my team.
Do you have any new projects coming up (or have you just completed a big project ~ reached a milestone, etc.)? If so, please tell us about it.
Recently, we expanded the size of WorkSocial’s headquarters from 8,400 sq. ft to 14,000 sq. ft. This expansion increased our company’s number of private offices, day offices, coworking spaces, virtual offices, and conference rooms. In June 2022, we held an expansion event to celebrate the milestone with staff, friends, and family. In August 2022, we welcomed Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop to our headquarters to tour the expanded coworking space and get a firsthand look at WorkSocial’s premium amenities.
We are now looking to grow our real estate portfolio in New York City, as well as expand our virtual office service Flexy worldwide.
What do you do for fun/relaxation?
I spend time with my two puppies, take walks in the fresh air, listen to great music and dance.
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
I would love to grow our virtual office business and build a community of really great coworking spaces all over the world.
You want to write a book on Design and Efficient workspaces
I have walked into different types of workspaces and coworking locations. I imagine what-if scenarios as I walk down the halls. There are ideas that they can make their spaces look happier or more welcoming to their clients. I would love to write a book explaining what happens to a person when they come into a dull and boring workspace every day.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
- Connect with other entrepreneurs
- Create new ideas
- Grow your business
What’s the best way for the readers of WE Magazine for Women to connect with you?
worksocial.works
www.facebook.com/WorkSocial.Works
twitter.com/WorkSocialWorks
www.instagram.com/worksocialworks
www.linkedin.com/company/worksocial-a-happiness-company
