By Andrea Palmer
The owner of Palette Cafe on Broadway in Saratoga Springs has opened a co-working space on the second floor above the cafe.
The new space is Palette Upstairs. Owner Catherine Hover said the space is for women in business.
“It’s not just a co-working space. When you’re catering to women in business, and in life, it takes more resources than just having a seat at a table and a fancy conference room to do presentations. You have to cater to women in a fuller way. You have to address what’s going on in their lives and where they’re at in order to support them,” said Hover.
“For as long as I can remember, it’s been the normal thing for women to be home with the kids and doing all the home stuff. Now, we expect so much more out of life. We also want to be making money, and be involved in other parts of the world. But we can’t just disregard what needs to get done at home,” said Hover.
In the new space, “we have all the bells and whistles of a co-working space, such as a conference room, the work spaces, the printer, scanner, fax machine, but we take it a couple steps further. We’re also supporting each of our members in their career and in their life. We speak with them about what’s going on in their lives and what they want to do in the next year. We set goals and then we crush those goals with them,” said Hover.
In 2020, Hoover plans to hold information sessions on personal and business finance, SBA lending, business budgeting and business planning. Adirondack Trust Co. is a founding corporate member and will be conducting sessions with a small-business focus.
“A lot of us have this entrepreneurial drive and we want to be our own boss. We want to have the flexibility to stay home with the kids when we need to, or to go to work, but then we don’t have any idea how to do it. Sometimes it’s fear that holds us back. If you put the knowledge in front of people, you give them the power to take the first step,” said Hover.
Hover wants to create an environment where women can collaborate on accomplishing professional and personal goals.
The new upstairs space has casual breakout meeting spots, as well as a professional conference room with a TV and tech setup for presentations or video conference calls. The upstairs space also has a back patio area that will be set up in the spring as the weather gets warmer.
“It’s nice to sit outside in a quiet, outdoor space and be able to get work done, or have a meeting with someone,” said Hover.
Palette Cafe now offers a full-time virtual concierge and phone app.
Palette Cafe, Palette Upstairs and the Palette app are currently being overseen by Hover and Palette Cafe manager Marcella Hammer.
“We created a physical space where you can stop hiding, feeling like you’re doing everything alone. It’s unnecessary for us to feel that way,” said Hover.
Palette Cafe and Palette Upstairs are located at 493 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. The company is active on social media and can be reached at 518-450-1529.