Making work enjoyable

LACONIA — Work should be fulfilling and ultimately enjoyable.

“I believe we all have innate gifts and those are the things that drive our career choices. We spend a lot of time working and I think we should be surrounded by like-minded people,” said Jodie Gallant.

As the owner and creator of a new way to work, Gallant started WORK Lakes Region after giving the idea of a shared workspace considerable thought. She owns JMG Marketing and serves many clients with the help of a staff.

“I have a team of freelance people and we do media management, branding, digital development, graphics and more. Many of our clients are non-profits and some are for-profit businesses,” she said.

After COVID hit, Gallant and her team worked from their homes, but it was isolating. “I yearned to be around people, but I also didn’t want to give up working for myself,” she said.

It was then she began thinking about a way for individuals and companies to make use of shared space on their own terms. Many people like to keep a 9-to-5 schedule, while others have erratic work hours and some work from home and simply need an off-site place to hold meetings or get together with a client.

Thus began Gallant’s thoughts of finding a large space that could work to fill the needs of many people who were seeking a place to work and at times, be around others.

“I looked at many spaces with some criteria,” she said. “I wanted an office space in Laconia because I think it is the hub of the Lakes Region and a central location. With guidelines set for space requirements, finding just the right place was not an easy process.”

Gallant recalled, “At one point, I thought this wouldn’t happen, and then I looked at this space on Elm Street in Lakeport. We had a 6-month construction process, and the entire start to finish was over 18 months. Then we opened the doors of WORK Lakes Region in the new Elm Street building.”

WORK is located at 51 Elm St. in Lakeport.

Gallant understands the needs of workers because, as she says, she is a go-to-work type of person. WORK Lakes Region offers a lot in a beautiful, light and airy space, with a large central room equipped with tables, chairs and electronics. Every level is based on a selective membership, and people can reserve space. WORK Lakes Region will also host exclusive membership gatherings and events.

“I see the Lakes Region as an area of growth and the new space offers a social gathering place in a high-energy work environment. People like co-working and the public has been responsive,” Gallant said.

The private office spaces at WORK Lakes Region were designed by Gallant to offer businesses and individuals a place to do a project or meet and work with others. There are desk stations and members can leave their belongings on site, so they do not have to carry equipment and papers back and forth.

“Members can secure a space for an hour up to 2 years,” Gallant said.

Creating such a place in the Lakes Region is part of Gallant’s dream.

“I grew up in upstate New York, but I always loved New Hampshire,” she said. “I came to New Hampshire for college and then started my career in corporate at Metrocast doing marketing. Later, I branched out for flexibility and started JMG Marketing in 2012.”

Gallant resides in Gilford with her family of three children and her husband of 24 years. She spends a lot of time at the WORK Lakes Region office, but knows those who run their own businesses, whether large or small, sometimes need flexible work hours. Thus, the space is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Those who wish to work beyond those hours can enter the building via a confidential pass code for security and flexibility.

WORK Lakes Region also has a handy kitchenette with snacks, sodas, coffee and tea for workers.

Those currently making use of the space are a financial advisor, a business manager, business owners, a marketing professional, a publisher, realtors and a few students who need a well-equipped, comfortable and modern place to pursue their studies.

The public will get a chance to tour the space Thursday, May 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. at a grand opening.

“This will be our official launch,” said Gallant. “It is exactly a year to the day that we signed the lease on the space. We will celebrate with tours, food, drink, entertainment and a ribbon cutting.”

Eventually, she hopes to expand WORK Lakes Region into other locations around the Lakes Region.

“I have a passion for being a business coach and offering marketing solutions,” Gallant said. “I want to share that with others.”

For more information, worklakesregion.com.