When Felena Hanson launched Hera Hub in 2011, she didn’t just carve out a corner in the rising co-working trend—she redefined it. As an early pioneer in the space, she built a business with a bigger mission: to uplift and champion women entrepreneurs. Hera Hub was the first spa-inspired coworking space designed not only for productivity, but also for connection, mentorship, and meaningful growth.

“Hera Hub is here to serve the women who are running real businesses—they just need real support”

A Place for Connection, Confidence, and Business Growth

Felena saw firsthand how lonely and overwhelming entrepreneurship can be—especially for women launching service-based or non-tech ventures. Hera Hub was her answer: a welcoming, thoughtfully designed environment paired with powerful business acceleration programs. Over the last decade plus, the platform has helped over 14,000 women launch or grow their businesses.

What makes Hera Hub unique is its blend of spa-inspired design and strategic support. The calming, professional atmosphere fosters focus and creativity, while the community itself is fueled by daily access to expert mentoring, coaching, and accountability. Hera Hub’s structured accelerator programs—Launch & Grow and Scale—are intentionally built to guide real-world business development, offering practical tools and a supportive network every step of the way.

“We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We serve women who are building real businesses and want community, clarity, and smart support.”

From Laid Off to Leading the Way

Felena’s leap into entrepreneurship began after being laid off three times in ten years. She started her own marketing business, but quickly realized she wasn’t the only one looking for community and professional space. Nine months of research later, Hera Hub was born. Today, she owns and licenses six locations across the U.S. and runs a lean team of seven—plus a network of dedicated ambassadors.

“I was tired of constantly finding new venues. I thought, what if I just created my own space—one designed for women like me?”

Lessons, Challenges, and Resources

Felena admits that the hardest part of her journey hasn’t been programming or community—it’s commercial real estate. In 14 years, she’s signed multiple leases and calls the process “a constant uphill battle.” But she’s stayed the course by staying clear on her mission and values, building Hera Hub as a Certified Public Benefit Corporation to ensure purpose and accountability stay front and center.

She’s also a big believer in sharing hard-won wisdom. Her book, Flight Club – Rebel, Reinvent, and Thrive: How to Launch Your Dream Business, distills her experience into an inspiring and practical guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. It’s available on Amazon and recommended reading for anyone building a business from scratch.

“My biggest mistake? Not charging enough. I love serving women business owners—but I had to learn to value my work, too.”

How You Can Support Felena and Hera Hub

You can support Felena and the Hera Hub mission in a few powerful ways: Book your next meeting, workshop, or community event at one of her beautiful co-working spaces—each thoughtfully designed to foster connection and creativity. Share the Launch & Grow accelerator programs with women in your network who are starting or scaling their businesses. These resources are an incredible gift to female entrepreneurs. And if you’re looking for inspiration or practical guidance, pick up her book Flight Club: Rebel, Reinvent, and Thrive – How to Launch Your Dream Business on Amazon. It’s packed with wisdom for anyone ready to launch their dream business.

More About Felena (In case you haven’t noticed, she’s kind of a big deal)

Felena is a published author, podcast host, and international speaker. She’s the creator of the Women Who Exit interview series and a former entrepreneurship and marketing professor. Her work has been featured in Inc., Bloomberg, Entrepreneur, BBC, and more—and she’s earned recognition from organizations like the SBA, Girl Scouts, and San Diego Magazine. Most recently, she was named 2025’s Women In Business Champion of the Year by the SBA and SBDC.