WoW Woman | Stacy Lyden-Sauppé, Events Manager at Workspace Group PLC
Interview by Marija Butkovic
Stacy Lyden-Sauppé is the Events and Meeting Rooms Manager at Workspace Group PLC, overseeing the expanding events programme across their portfolio of 60+ business centres throughout London. Tasked with building a thriving events programme and diversifying the offering across the brand, she takes great pleasure in developing a new model for events in such beautiful and varied spaces. Previously working in the charity sector, first at NYC Outward Bound Schools and then for The Outward Bound Trust in London, the recent transition to the corporate world has been an opportunity to implement new ideas and stretch events management designs in innovative and exciting ways. Whether you’re a current Workspace customer or just seeking engaging events to attend in vibrant spaces across London with like-minded business professionals, follow Workspace Group on social to find out more about the incredible events on offer.
Stacy, tell us a bit more about Workspace and the idea behind it. When did you join Workspace and what does your job role entail? What are your projects you are currently working on?
We’re a FTSE-250 company who own and operate more than four million sq ft of business space in London. We have 60 properties which house around 3,000 business and 40,000 individuals. Workspace’s goal is to give our customers the best working environment to help their business grow. Companies might start with us as a one-person band operating in Club Workspace (our co-working space) and grow to a business renting an entire floor of a business centre.
I joined Workspace in September in a newly created role of Events and Meeting Rooms Manager to expand and diversify the events offering across our portfolio. My aim is to create spaces for businesses to connect and learn from one another, identify and target areas for growth and develop new business insights. We want to cultivate a thriving events community within our space.
Workspace is a community of makers and doers, what in your opinion helps entrepreneurs thrive and how important is the support of other entrepreneurs in that process?
No business operates in a bubble – in order to grow and thrive companies need to cross-germinate with other businesses and entrepreneurs to gain different perspectives and develop new ideas. The community we create at Workspace helps entrepreneurs support one another and share resources. Our Club spaces are evidence of this and the variety of events we offer across our portfolio allows our customers to share and exchange ideas with each other regardless of where they are in their journey.
What do you think are the biggest challenges entrepreneurs and founders face today? How about female founders and entrepreneurs?
The biggest challenge is that the odds are against you: 95% of start-ups fail. But having faith in your business and brand and finding supportive communities is key. Focus on your networks and tap into every resource you can to source investments, opportunities and areas of growth. For female founders especially, if your product or business is female-centred, you’ll need to work twice as hard at finding investors open to your pitch. Connecting with networks like WoW and their partners can always help point you in the direction or your next lead.
What will be the key trends in the tech industry in the next 5 years and where do you see it heading?
I’m not a tech expert by any means, but even I am noticing the increase in Augmented Reality in just about everything. The idea that consumers can now visualize product within their own spaces before buying is very enticing and I can see this becoming a day-to-day experience for us just a few years from now.
What is the most important piece of advice you would give to a young entrepreneur or a freelancer just starting out in this space?
You are your company’s most valuable asset so take care of yourself and your own mental health and wellbeing. Find time to take breaks, surround yourself with people who inspire and support you and know your limitations and when you need to take a break. We’ll all spend about a third of our lives at work, so make sure you’re enjoying that time and stepping away when you need to.
Who are your top 3 inspirational women and / or businesses in tech and why?
I hear about a new business or entrepreneur who inspires me almost daily, but if I had to pick today, it would be Anne-Marie Imafidon, DnaNudge and Joanna Dai.
Anne-Marie spoke at an event I attended last year that I’m still thinking about – her work creating Stemettes which promotes avenues for young women to enter STEM industries is really inspiring.
DnaNudge’s new product is one I learned about from a recent WoW event actually, and it’s just a fascinating concept. Taking a sample of your DNA to inform your consumerism choices is ingenious and I can’t wait to watch this take off.
Joanna Dai, a Workspace member based at E1 Studios in Whitechapel, has created a fantastic ethical clothing brand after spotting a gap in the market to provide a comfortable, professional clothes for working women.
We are very excited to announce events partnership between Workspace Group and Women of Wearables! Come join us in London, 5 December for our first panel discussion at Workspace - Clerkenwell Workshops, where we will be discussing all things finances and money for women!
Read about our hands-on workshop done in collaboration with TTP, hosted by Club Workspace @Cargo Works here!
Website: https://www.workspace.co.uk/
Twitter / Instagram / Linkedin / Facebook
This interview was conducted by Marija Butkovic, Digital Marketing and PR strategist, founder and CEO of Women of Wearables. She regularly writes and speaks on topics of wearable tech, fashion tech, IoT, entrepreneurship and diversity. Visit marijabutkovic.co.uk or follow Marija on Twitter @MarijaButkovic.