Mary MacDonald, a full-time executive search recruiter for financial services practice Heidrick & Struggles began using the Enclave Coworking Glen Ellyn location as an alternative workspace to her home office during the COVID-19 pandemic. MacDonald has now been a flex-member at Enclave Glen Ellyn for 3 years. In an interview with Business Daily, MacDonald discussed how her membership has impacted her mental health and work-life balance.

Business Daily: Did suburban coworking help your home life?

MacDonald: More than I could have imagined. I have 4 kids and there is a lot going on at my home. I didn’t realize that coworking near my house could change my mental health and work life balance like this.

Business Daily: What do you mean when you say mental health?

MacDonald: I don't stress about the commute as much. Less stress regarding my home requirements, it's hard to work from home when you have kids that are so young. (9,6,4,2). There is always something that needs to be done. I'm just far enough away to get things done on both fronts.

Business Daily: How close do you live to the coworking space?

MacDonald: I'm a 5-minute drive or 10-minute walk to Enclave.

Business Daily: What did you do when you didn't have coworking?

MacDonald: I would spend an hour commuting each way, on days when I could work from home I’d try and get a room at the public library because I have to take calls. I was really just in the office all the time and not at home with my family as much. I can get as much done at Enclave as I can at my office in the city.

Business Daily: What type of member are you?

MacDonald: I'm what they call flex. I work in the common area and when I need to take a call or have a meeting I use one of the offices or phone booth rooms.