Q&A with One Roof’s founder, Sheree Rubinstein
We caught up with the effervescent founder of One Roof, Sheree Rubinstein, to ask her a few questions about her biz - past, present and future.
1.What is One Roof?
One Roof is the leading co-working space in Australia dedicated to women-led businesses. Home to 85+ businesses and more than a co-working space, One Roof is a community, an event space and an entire ecosystem providing everything for women-led business to thrive under one roof. Networking events, access to a comprehensive Business Hub, curated introductions to mentors, clients and experts and community events are just some of the many opportunities and programs happening under One Roof. We offer a one week free co-working trial for anyone who is keen to get a sense of the community we have cultivated and the business support we provide.
2. How did you come up with the idea?
I left my corporate law career (yes I am a recovering lawyer!) with a new found passion for championing gender equality and supporting women in business. Through research and facilitating focus groups with female founders I gathered information on the barriers women face in building successful businesses and formulated an idea. I was going to create a physical hub providing everything women-led businesses need to succeed all under one roof. I validated the concept by running a one week pop up in an Airbnb home in St Kilda. I programmed and curated the week so that every day there were educational workshops, networking events and opportunities to work and connect with a like-minded community. Unbeknownst to the landlord, in one week, over 400 people came through the doors and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Around the same time the concept and industry of co-working was on the rise and One Roof very quickly became the leader in Australia for co-working focused on women-led businesses.
3. How have you found being a solo-founder?
Being a solo-founder and running a business is damn hard. Every single day is a roller coaster of exhilarating highs and earth crashing lows. The life of an entrepreneur is a constant test of resilience, persistence and courage. While it can be very lonely being a solo-founder I ensure I surround myself with the right friends, founders, mentors and experts to ensure I have a community that will elevate me and that I am in the best possible position to make good and informed decisions. One Roof is built on community and I personally could not have come as far as I have without such an exceptional community around me. This really is the magic of being in a supportive and collaborative co-working environment.
4. Where do you see One Roof in the future?
Oh I have big plans! One Roof will have world class co-working hubs in most major cities around Australia. One Roof will offer co-working, private offices, access to a business lounge, an extensive Business Hub, events and workshop spaces. We will have partnerships with hospitality, wellness and child care operators. All members will have a passport membership across Australia. The perks, discounts and member benefits through our online Business Hub will be available to anyone anywhere in the world. We will forge the largest network of female entrepreneurs around Australia, build a pipeline of women-led startups that are ready for investment AND we will be the driving force that puts Australia on the map as the number one destination in the world to be a female entrepreneur.
If you’re a female founder looking for a co-working space, head to One Roof’s website to sign up for a free co-working trial!
If you would like to learn more about LUNA and how we help startups launch and grow, get in touch hello@weareluna.co
