"BE LONG-TERM GREEDY" - JAELLE ANG

The growth and success of co-working space The Great Room is underpinned by this philosophy of Jaelle's. The self-professed introvert and life-long learner takes stock of her business ethos, and the hurdles she's had to overcome because of her gender.

- Karishma Tulsidas

In the buzzy South Bridge Road enclave, between Club Street and Duxton Road, lies The Great Room's sixth and newest outpost. Unlike its decidedly modern CBD and Orchard Road locations, this co-working space is housed within the 113-year-old Eu Yan Sang building, and exudes a nostalgic charm.

It's been a busy year for The Great Room co-founder and CEO Jaelle Ang. Apart from opening its sixth co-working space in Singapore, the company also launched its second outpost in Bangkok at Park Silom, and is preparing for its first space in Sydney, set to open in 2024.

Not too bad for a business that started in 2016, with five people huddled around Jaelle's dining table. The Her World Tribe member had just returned to Singapore from Thailand after working with Thailand-based developer Country Group Development, and had played an instrumental role in gentrifying the Chao Phraya River, which is today the site of luxury hotels such as Capella and Four Seasons.

Back in Singapore with no concrete plan, she found herself in a rabbit hole - or EDD (esoteric deep dive) as her friends lovingly call it when she becomes single-minded about a problem and finding ways to solve it. She says: "While we all spend so much time at work, most workplaces are uninspiring and sterile. I envisioned the creation of a shared workspace for the ambitious grownup who wants it all: high-performing workspace, inspiring design, and a like-minded community to belong to."