Check Out Melissa Makovec’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Makovec

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
CoWell Haus was born out of a personal need for a space where movement and productivity could coexist. In 2019, while navigating a career layoff and planning my wedding simultaneously, I found myself spending endless hours on my laptop—searching for jobs and finalizing wedding details. The stress of sitting all day took a toll on both my mental and physical well-being. I needed to stay active to feel good in my wedding dress, but my responsibilities kept me glued to my computer. I began searching for a place where I could do both—walk on a treadmill desk while working—but quickly realized such a space didn’t exist.

As I looked around, I noticed how sedentary our daily lives have become. In Downtown LA, I would see people packed into coffee shops and restaurants, all sitting down with their laptops. It became clear—there was a major gap in the way we approach work and wellness. Fast forward to 2024, I knew I had to build this space myself. My vision was to create a vibrant, community-driven environment where professionals could work, move, and thrive without compromising their health. That’s when CoWell Haus was born—where “Co” stands for coworking, “Well” for wellness, and “Haus” for a social house that fosters community.

Today, we’re on the path to redefining traditional workspaces by integrating fitness and productivity seamlessly. It’s been a journey filled with late nights, obstacles, and unwavering perseverance, but we are determined to bring this vision to life.

I knew I couldn’t do this alone. I needed a powerhouse partner to bring this vision to life, and that’s when I teamed up with Gloria Govan, a serial entrepreneur who understands the nonstop demands of a busy professional. Rarely without her laptop, Gloria’s days are packed with calls, emails, and back-to-back meetings, and like me, she recognized the necessity of movement for sustaining both physical and mental well-being.

With Gloria’s help, we’ve built a strong team, developed financial projections, and crafted a solid business plan. Now, our biggest challenge is securing funding and finding the right investor to help us open our first location. Together, we are on a mission to redefine the way professionals work, creating a space where movement is priority and where people can thrive in a community that values both success and well-being.

We’re excited to share our story with VoyageLA and its readers, spreading brand awareness and inviting others to join us in changing the way people work for the better. CoWell Haus isn’t just a business—it’s a movement.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Every entrepreneurial journey comes with its challenges, and building CoWell Haus has been no exception. Our biggest hurdles have been securing a landlord who believes in our vision enough to lease us a location, locking in the right investor, and fine-tuning our financial projections and business model. There have been many long days and nights, filled with tears, frustration, and moments of doubt—but through it all, our passion and belief in CoWell Haus have never wavered. The road has been anything but smooth, but every obstacle reinforces why this space is needed. Balancing fitness, wellness and productivity is something so many busy professionals struggle with, and that’s exactly why we keep pushing forward—because we know firsthand how life-changing this space will be. Despite the setbacks, we are determined to bring this vision to life and redefine the way people integrate movement and work.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have truly amazed myself through this journey! My professional background is in Technical Program and Project Management. As the Founder of CoWell Haus, I am utilizing my professional skills to build out every aspect of this business. Leveraging my expertise, I’ve developed everything from pitch decks and business plans to financial projections, strategic roadmaps, and project plans—all while infusing a technical edge into the space itself. Along this journey, I’ve expanded my skill set to include marketing strategy, branding, partnership development, and investor relations, ensuring that every detail aligns with our vision.

What truly sets CoWell Haus apart is our commitment to integrating movement into the workday at a scale that has never been done before. We are redefining the coworking experience with a low-impact, fitness-infused social space that seamlessly blends fitness, productivity, and community. A digital leaderboard will display real-time fitness metrics, allowing members to engage in friendly challenges and stay motivated while working.

I’m incredibly proud of the vision we’ve built, the team we’ve assembled, and the momentum we’re gaining as we bring CoWell Haus to life. This isn’t just a business—it’s a movement for movement, and we’re leading the charge in transforming how people work, move, and thrive. We are excited to scale with some big plans in year one.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is resilience. Building CoWell Haus has been a journey filled with challenges—from securing a location and refining our financial model to finding the right investors who believe in our vision. There have been long days, late nights, and moments of frustration, but my ability to adapt, stay persistent, and push forward despite obstacles has been the driving force behind our progress.

I also believe that vision and determination go hand in hand. Having a clear purpose—to create a space that redefines the way people work and prioritize wellness—keeps me motivated. Every setback is just another step toward success, and my passion for this mission fuels my ability to keep going, no matter how tough the road gets. We have big plans – this is just the beginning and that also pushes me to push through.

Pricing:

• Book a Work-Fit-Station On Demand $85/pp/hr
• Book a Collaborative Room On Demand $375/hr
• Book a Brainstorming Room On Demand $150/hr
• Book a Day Pass $55/pp
• Basic Membership $550 a month or Choose 12 month term for $6,600.00. or Premium Membership $675 a month or Choose 12 month term for $8,100.00

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cowellhaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowellhaus/
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/cowell-haus
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/cIJgjBuwaj0

Image Credits
Michael Cummings with Mike C. Content LLC