Creative writer, business owner, wife, mother, and so much more! And like many mothers, family and household needs sometimes distracted our friend from the projects and studies she longed to bring to life. Michaela Anchan’s eyes were then opened to this common pain many entrepreneurs were facing. Her bold move?

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Create a business which solves the problem and meets a need. Now Singapore has Woolf Works, and we’re happy to introduce you to the ambitious woman behind the calm, relaxing coworking doors!

Backburner Business Plans

Tell us about you and your business/career, and what you were doing before you started?

I spent five years as a stay at home mum. I was about to launch an e-commerce business when I became pregnant, threw up for four months straight and then decided to shelve the business plans for a while. I spent the next few years as a new mother studying towards a Creative Writing degree, writing short stories and dreaming up other business ideas to launch. Most of the time, however, I felt frustrated and distracted. I found it hard to separate myself from what was going on at home and concentrating on the work I wanted to get done. I found it hard to prioritise myself and my professional goals when there was so much need at home – I’m sure many mothers can understand that feeling.

I moved to Singapore towards the end of 2011 and delivered my second child around the beginning of 2013. Once he was born I decided enough was enough – I wasn’t getting any younger and there were dreams to be accomplished!  I knew I needed to get out into the world and start working. I also had seen that my difficulty with working from home was quite a common pain point so I started to explore ways to solve that problem.

Woolf Works was my solution – a quiet, calm coworking space for women, located in the suburbs of Singapore. A great space to get stuff done, away from home. Woolf Works is also a community that offers support and opportunities to members through events and a strong network of professional women. We opened doors in July 2014.

On Finally Starting A Business

What would you say to people who are struggling with making the jump into a new career, or position?

I would say the first test that your idea really has ‘legs’ – talk about it, really let people know what you plan on doing and see what opportunities arise. And I don’t mean just your close friends, get networking and meeting people outside your community – how many are willing to sign up to a mailing list to find out more? Don’t just jump into something because it seems like a good idea!

On the flipside – there is no one good time to start a new business. Waiting for the right time can be paralyzing and sometimes you’ve got to just jump!

Entrepreneur Disorder

What is your biggest challenge/frustration as an entrepreneur or professional?

Admin! I suffer from that perennial entrepreneur disorder of Doing Everything Myself – and am trying to work on creating smoother systems and processes to outsource. I know I should only be working ON the business, not IN the business, but in reality, it’s easier said than done!

Making Space For Dreams

Please share a quote or saying that you live by, something that you are known for saying to your family, friends or team.

I always love the quote – Prolific beats perfect or progress over perfection, but I can’t claim that as my own! I think my own personal maxim is to ‘Just Do My Best.’ I’m not superwoman and it’s not the end of the world if I don’t reply to emails immediately. So I try to do my best and enjoy the ride! I get a lot of satisfaction from helping women succeed with their dreams by putting themselves first – and that helps me continue enjoying the ride every day.

Make space for yourself and your dreams: Woolf Works’ memberships provide space, community, fast Wi-Fi and great coffee. Memberships range from just one day a week to permanent desk holder.