How I’m Making It: The Great Room’s Jaelle Ang on pushing the boundaries of co-working spaces

Ang believes that the power of genuine connections is at the heart of what makes a community thrive. She adds: “Our philosophy centres around creating an environment where members don’t just work but truly engage with one another in meaningful ways.” This means offering a space for business while also allowing people to connect and grow together, both professionally and personally.

To help create these connections, everything in The Great Room is thoughtfully designed and intentional, from offerings in the pantry to its shared spaces. “We set the stage where people can feel at ease and empowered, allowing relationships to evolve naturally,” she continues, believing that this will lead to an increase in ideas, opportunities and support while also driving innovation and success.

Choosing your ‘hard’

With so many obstacles that had to be faced along the way, Ang believes in the importance of “choosing her hard”. She explains: “Staying in a job you have no passion for is hard, worrying about paying rent in a start-up is hard. Long hours in an office is hard, building a business in your head, heart and hands 24/7 is hard.” But what’s important is deciding the type of “hard” you want to pursue.

She recalls being one of the youngest in architecture school at age 18, while also being “female, Asian, petite and not quite as cosmopolitan as everyone around me”. She continues: “Inside, there was always a feeling that I am out of my depths—whether in the design studio or at the union bar.”

However, this was also when Ang decided to learn how to thrive in uncomfortable situations, allowing her to continue pushing forward. Upon reflection, she realised every obstacle always led to an opportunity.

Over the years, she had to learn how to navigate complex situations and be comfortable making difficult decisions. “Now, I really don’t think about whether I’m the only woman, the youngest, the oldest or the one with the most children in the room,” the entrepreneur says.

Reminiscing on the journey to creating the company, the founder shares how the dots only connect in the rearview mirror.

“Looking back, the unlikely cocktail of blue-collar work ethic, vivid visions, stomach for risk and penchant for pain was needed to bring me to this point,” she adds.

In for the long run

Ang explains that the co-working industry is only scratching the surface. While co-working was often seen as a temporary solution in the past, the industry has evolved with the rise of hybrid work models. “Now, it has become an essential part of the modern work ecosystem, catering to a diverse range of businesses, from large enterprises to remote teams and entrepreneurs,” she says.

She adds that the pandemic forced a shift in how businesses operated while also accelerating the demand for flexible workspaces. There was a surge in demand for co-working spaces that offered flexibility and high-quality amenities. During this time, The Great Room adapted to consumer needs, enhancing its virtual services and expanding its offerings to cater to various working styles.

Even today, The Great Room continues to evolve to meet the needs of the modern worker. On top of creating a workspace, they offer a full experience that encourages productivity, creativity and well-being—from its high-end designed spaces to bespoke services. “What sets us apart is our dedication to creating a luxurious, hospitality-driven experience that bled professional functionality with warmth and comfort,” she shares.

The brand is constantly expanding, opening its sixth outlet in Singapore in 2023 and unveiling its first Sydney property earlier this year. Although new market entries are always challenging, Ang shares the brand was encouraged by the strong receptivity in the Australian city.

Alongside the physical expansion, Ang adds that the brand will continue to enhance its spaces and programmes to suit the needs of its members. She remains optimistic about the future of the brand and with various plans for expansion in the pipeline, The Great Room is sure to continue to redefine the co-working landscape in Singapore and beyond. 

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