Happen to Life CoWork

[Paul Terlemezian]

Yvette Francis– Happen to Life CoWork

 Overview: https://www.linkedin.com/company/happentolifecowork/posts/?feedView...

[Erica Uriostegui]

Hello, my name is Erica Uriostegui a student from Brenau. 

A few questions for Yvette Francis- Happen To Life CoWork 

- What inspired you to choose the topic of separating work and personal life?

- How do you currently manage your own work-life balance, and what strategies have worked best for you?

- What specific aspects of mental and physical health do you think are most impacted by work-life balance?

- Do you have any personal experiences related to work-life balance that you would like to share? 

[Yvette Francis]

Hi Erica,

I apologize for the delayed response; I had some technical difficulties getting into this group. I’m excited to see your interest in Happen to Life Cowork! Below are my responses to your thoughtful questions. Please feel free to reach out to me at [e-mail] if I can provide any additional support.

 

1. What inspired you to choose the topic of separating work and personal life?

I don’t believe in separating work and personal life; I believe in integrating them, and that’s exactly what Happen to Life Cowork is about. Early in my career, I tried to follow the traditional approach of separation, but even before I had a family, I felt the strain between work demands and personal well-being. This tension only grew with each child, and it became clear that separating the two wasn't sustainable or authentic. Embracing work-life integration empowered me, and this journey inspired the creation of Happen to Life Cowork, where integration, not separation or balance, is the focus.

2. How do you currently manage your own work-life balance, and what strategies have worked best for you?

I no longer aim for balance; I strive for integration. I’ve designed my life to blend work, family, and self-care so they coexist without competing. It’s not perfect, but it allows me to create a rhythm that works for me, like taking my kids to school, working, and fitting in a run. That’s why Happen to Life Cowork plans to offer amenities like childcare, fitness, and food all under one roof. I want to disrupt the traditional model of work by creating spaces where well-being is part of the day, not an afterthought. Workplace learning and professional development are also essential to me, and I’m excited to provide these opportunities to our members through tailored programs.

3. What specific aspects of mental and physical health do you think are most impacted by work-life balance?

The constant juggling act between work and life leads to burnout, stress, and anxiety, impacting mental health, and causes sleep issues, weakened immunity, and even cardiovascular risks in physical health. This pressure stifles creativity, reduces resilience, and can lead to chronic pain from physical inactivity. That’s why I created Happen to Life Cowork to integrate work and life, reducing mental strain and promoting physical wellness. Success in this model within organizations will depend on trust, clarity, and ownership of your day. It will be a major shift for corporations, but I plan to demonstrate the overwhelming benefits they will gain.

4. Do you have any personal experiences related to work-life balance that you would like to share?

Yes, the foundation of Happen to Life Cowork is rooted in my 15-year struggle with work-life balance in the corporate world, a challenge that began even before I had children and only intensified after. With each child, I became more aware that the traditional system wasn’t working, not just for me, but for many of my colleagues and friends who continue to face the same difficulties. This realization led me to leave corporate life and become a mompreneur, determined to create a space for those who, like me, needed a better way. This journey shifted my approach from work-life balance to true integration, and my goal is now to partner with corporations to demonstrate how this model can benefit both employees and organizations, driving productivity and enhancing employee longevity.

Warm regards,

Yvette

[Princess Alley Cervantes]

Hi, my name is Princess Cervantes from Brenau University.

Here are a few questions that I would like to ask for Yvette Francis- Happen to Life CoWork

1. How has separating work from your personal life made a difference for you in terms of your stress levels or overall happiness?

2. What strategies have you found most effective in creating a clear separation between your work time and personal time?

3. Have you faced any challenges when trying to maintain boundaries between work and personal life? How did you overcome them?

4. In what ways has being intentional about work-life balance changed the way you spend your free time or pursue hobbies?

[Yvette Francis]

Hi Princess,

Thanks for your insightful questions. I’m happy to share my experiences with you.

1. How has separating work from your personal life made a difference for you in terms of your stress levels or overall happiness?
   Actually, I don’t separate work from personal life. Instead, I integrate the two, which has been transformative for me. This approach has lowered my stress and increased my overall happiness because I no longer feel torn between work demands and personal needs.

2. What strategies have you found most effective in creating a clear separation between your work time and personal time?
   Rather than clear separation, I focus on creating a rhythm that blends work and personal life. Designing my day to accommodate both, like including fitness and family time alongside work, is much more sustainable for me than traditional boundaries.

3. Have you faced any challenges when trying to maintain boundaries between work and personal life? How did you overcome them?
   Absolutely, especially when I was in corporate America. The expectation to separate work and personal time felt limiting and unrealistic. I eventually left corporate life to create a model that integrates both worlds, and this is what inspired Happen to Life Cowork.

4. In what ways has being intentional about work-life balance changed the way you spend your free time or pursue hobbies?
   Embracing integration has allowed me to be more intentional with my time. Instead of waiting for “off hours,” I make time throughout the day for wellness, hobbies, and family. This way, well-being is part of my routine, not something extra to squeeze in. I'm certain that if I had a model like this during my corporate career, I would’ve been more fulfilled and productive.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Warmly,
Yvette
[e-mail]

[Eleanor Love Lee]

Hello,

I would like to ask about how "Happen to Life" is going. I am doing my speech on the spiritual aspect of things and I felt like "Happen to Life" would go well with my topic. I know "Happen to Life" is new but it mainly helps with mental and physical health. I would like to know more information about "Happen to Life," and what tests you did for this amazing project.

Thank you for your time,

Eleanor Lee

[Yvette Francis]

Hi Eleanor,

Thank you for your insightful questions! We’re making progress every day, raising awareness that a new integrated work model is in development. This model is being designed to support both mental and physical health, which are among our key priorities. We believe in holistic well-being and doing impactful work, which truly captures our values.

Currently, we’re connecting with industry leaders to share how this model can meet their goals while helping their teams thrive. As you mentioned, we’re new, an early-stage start-up planning to open our first location in the Atlanta area in 2025. We’ll also be testing our concept with a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) pilot soon to gather real-world feedback.

Regarding the spiritual aspect, you could explore how our business model emphasizes purpose, connection, and well-being, which align with spiritual concepts of intention and fulfillment. By integrating work and life instead of separating them, we encourage a sense of harmony, which can be empowering for both individuals and organizations. Happen to Life Cowork is built on the belief that when people are genuinely supported in their holistic well-being, they’re able to “happen to life” rather than letting life happen to them, and make a meaningful impact.

Best of luck with your speech, and please feel free to reach out if you have any more questions!

Warmly,
Yvette
[e-mail]