Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Mercado.
Michelle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My professional experience has always centered around hospitality – from graduating Culinary School, to Boutique Hotel Management, to eventually my dream job within high end wedding and event planning. I’ve always been happiest as the connector to various creative resources to pull off magic.
In 2013, I fell head over heels for this adorable retail/office space in Laguna Beach that was introduced to me by a dear friend on a trip home from San Francisco for my Grandfather’s funeral. My heart was so heavy & the minute I walked in the doors of this beautiful, rustic historical cottage – I just felt at peace and home. I quit my “dream job” in San Francisco, moved back, and had the initial vision of starting my own event planning business and off-setting the rent by subleasing nooks within the building to other small business owners in the area. Within the span of one week, I sold 5 office spaces and through many iterations we grew into the collaborative office & event space we are today. Today, we house 14 independent business owners, freelancers, or solo entrepreneurs who utilize our co-working membership, shared office spaces, or event space to grow their business, get their best work done, and ultimately find their tribe.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road? I don’t even know if there was a paved path for most of this journey! I feel like for the first 2.5 years it was just a true exploration of different ideas & saying yes to pretty much anything to see what stuck. The vision I had for my own event planning business shifted into making our space and services the actual business. It was a total mindset shift and I went from wanting to create my own thing to serving our tenants & building upon what everyone individually brought to the table. Starting this business has challenged me in more ways than I’ll ever be able to put into words and shifted the way I see opportunities not only for myself but for those around me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about SOURCED. – what should we know?
We are a collaborative work & event space located in beautiful Laguna Beach. We offer a co-working membership, shared offices, and rent out our space for workshops & events.
We offer local freelancers or small business owners a space to represent their business and get their best work done. Collectively – we support one another with our individual expertise and networks. By coming together, we’ve been able to share paradise and everyone has access to what they need but may not have been able to get on their own.
What brings me the biggest joy is seeing each tenant excel in their businesses with the support they get here. We are a small local business in the business of supporting other small local businesses grow and flourish.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I’m a natural cheerleader & advocate for those I love and believe in. I’m naturally curious & that curiosity keeps me invested and eager. In the past 5 years, I’ve seen the inner working of over 60 plus small businesses and it’s something that has allowed me to grow as an individual and also be a part of different industries and businesses I would have never landed on my own.
As far as running an operation that is a service to others – I’m organized and love automated systems that make my “work” easier that free up my time to give, listen, and connect in real life moments.
Pricing:
- $150 monthly co-working membership
- Shared office spaces starting at $350/month
- Event space starting at $125/hr
Contact Info:
- Address: 950 Glenneyre Street, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Website: www.sourcedcollective.com
- Phone: 949.240.1212
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Neighborhood Creative, http://neighborhoodcreative.us
Stewart Uy, http://www.stewartuy.com
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
