The second panel of the Women in Flex event took on a challenge many face: breaking into the flexible workspace industry and building a successful career.
The flex industry is evolving rapidly, creating incredible opportunities for women to thrive. But making your mark isn’t always easy, whether it’s finding your voice in a competitive space, overcoming imposter syndrome, or navigating work-life balance. This panel featured a powerhouse lineup of women who have built their careers in flex, sharing the real-world strategies that helped them succeed. Here’s what we learned.
Relationships Are Everything
The panel kicked off with introductions and fun facts, Alex Young (Managing Director, Projects) revealed her podcast, Favourite Positions (a name her mum warned against), and Tali Meyerowitz (Senior Customer Success Manager, Fora) shared her annual tradition of breaking the same toe on the 8th of September (three years running).
But when it came to career advice, Alex was clear: relationships matter. “Not just with the people you think you need to impress, but with everyone, your team, members, landlords, contractors, even the person who makes your coffee. You never know when a connection will come back around.”
Faith Robins (Head of Occupier Advisory, Savills Workthere) echoed the sentiment: “Never stop learning, never stop networking. Be in the room, join training sessions, go to events,just keep putting yourself out there.”
Know Yourself, Set Boundaries, and Find Your Path
Tali emphasised the importance of self-awareness: “Understanding who you are and where your strengths lie helps you align with the right roles. Once I knew what my non-negotiables were, I could focus on a career path where I could truly excel.”
Faith added that finding the right mentor is key: “Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal. Some of the best mentors are the people you simply admire and learn from. Pay attention, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to reach out.”
Taking Risks,And Learning from Them
The conversation turned to risks, both taken and avoided. Alex shared her biggest regret: not pursuing an idea she had at university for a student desk-booking platform. “I was told it wouldn’t work, and instead of fighting for it, I dropped it. Ten years later, I still think about it. If you believe in something, don’t let one person’s doubt stop you.”
For Tali, a job in regional management helped her realise she thrived on direct client interaction. “It wasn’t the right fit, but it taught me what I do want. Sometimes, the wrong move is just as valuable as the right one.”
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Michaela Wrede (Head of Marketing, Argyll) shared a powerful method for tackling imposter syndrome: “Journaling. I bring awareness to my thoughts, check for cognitive distortions, look at the evidence, and then reframe my thinking. I ask myself, ‘What would I tell a friend in this situation?’ That shift in perspective makes a huge difference.”
Tali takes a practical approach: “I ask myself, ‘Is this imposter syndrome, or is there a real gap in my knowledge?’ If it’s the latter, I fill the gap. If not, I remind myself that I deserve to be here.”
Faith added: “Sometimes, you just have to do the thing that makes you nervous. The more you do it, the less scary it becomes.”
Asserting Yourself in a Tough Industry
Women in leadership often face labels, too emotional, too assertive, too bossy. Faith recounted being nicknamed “No-Fluff Faith.” “At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But then I realised, why should I be expected to be ‘fluffy’? A man would just be seen as direct.”
Alex has faced a different kind of assumption: “Everyone emails me assuming I’m a man. I’ve walked into meetings where people look past me for ‘Alex, the Managing Director.’ I just let them sit in their own awkwardness and prove myself through my work.”
The Reality of Work-Life Balance in Flex
Burnout is real, but Michaela believes balance is possible: “It’s about setting boundaries. I don’t check emails before I get on the tube in the morning. My mornings are mine. If someone really needs me, they can call.”
Tali agreed: “The busier I am, the more I prioritise self-care. When you step away, you return with clarity.”
Final Takeaways: Advice for the Next Generation
We wrapped up with some rapid-fire career advice:
- Alex Young: “It’s never too early to build your personal brand. Own what you stand for.”
- Tali Meyerowitz: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, it doesn’t make you weak.”
- Faith Robins: “Don’t ask, don’t get. If you want a pay rise, a seat at the table, ask.”
- Michaela Wrede: “Say yes, figure it out later. You will learn as you go.”
Mary, technologywithin & Emilie, GCUC UK
Building a Future for Women in Flex
The panel closed with an important reminder: women don’t just need to break into flex, they need to thrive in it. That means advocating for themselves, supporting one another, and continuing conversations like this one.
As the evening wrapped up, attendees headed out for more networking (and another round of drinks). With a WhatsApp group buzzing and plans for future meetups, one thing was clear, this is just the beginning of something powerful.
Thank you to Marydeana Nolan, Marketing Director at technologywithin for bringing everyone together.