New Member Profile: Breakthrough Co Lab
Meet Kathy Rasmussen, Owner of Breakthrough Co Lab. To welcome them as a new member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, we recently spoke with Kathy to find out more about her company and services.
Tell us a little about Breakthrough Co Lab.
Breakthrough Co Lab is a new coworking space for entrepreneurs and freelancers in Springfield, Oregon. The space is designed for people to connect, share, and get work done in a productive and supportive environment. We have both monthly memberships and day passes available. We have a variety of workspaces. Our lounge is a great place to get comfy on a couch or spread out at a conference table. Our work room is a quiet space for focus and concentration. We offer a clean, professional space to meet clients. Other business owners are there to exchange ideas or share challenges and can avoid the distractions of working from home. We’re not an office space; Breakthrough Co Lab is a coworking lounge designed to encourage collaboration and community between members. We also offer coaching services for business owners who are looking to grow, solve a specific business problem, or launch a new product or service.
Where and how did you get your start in the business?
I’m a serial entrepreneur (8+ businesses) with 20 years of experience. I’m multi-passionate, so I have a wide range of talents including project management, event planning, graphic design, magazine publishing, community building, eCommerce, shipping and logistics, and business coaching. Five years ago, before starting a warehousing and shipping business with my husband, I primarily worked online from home. I frequently got restless and distracted at my home office and wished I had a space to go where I could work alongside other online business owners like me. So, when my husband and I were in the market to expand our warehouse, we were lucky enough to find one with a large office attached. It was the perfect opportunity to launch my idea of a coworking space for online entrepreneurs.
What is the most difficult business problem that you had to solve?
The biggest business challenge I’ve overcome throughout the years is thinking that being in business is a game and the object is to win. I used to think that winning meant making the most money, having the most market share, or being the best. However, I’ve come to realize that the object of the business game is to keep playing. There are good days and bad days. There will be times when you have more customers than you can accommodate and there will be times when you are begging for clients. Sometimes your marketing plan goes off without a hitch, and sometimes it bombs. The goal is to keep going for another day, week, year … so you can keep doing what you love.
Tell us more about the meeting space services. Do you offer rentals?
We are open for coworking from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The space is available for rentals after hours and on the weekends. Sign up or book online at breakthroughcolab.com. You can also schedule a tour online. Any Springfield Chamber members are welcome to use our space for one-on-ones for free – just email me at cowork@breakthroughcolab.com or call 541-780-6841 to give me a heads-up.
What do you like most about your work?
I love lightbulb moments. I love to see the look in someone’s eye when something finally clicks in their head. That is one of the reasons I became a certified business coach and offer coaching services to our members. Most of the time, business owners know what they need to do, it is just a matter of helping them understand why and how the pieces fit together.
Do you have any advice for others?
Being in business requires patience and compassion. Patience is necessary because it takes time to build something worthwhile. Compassion is necessary for understanding and connection.
Breakthrough Co Lab is a place to work, meet, and lounge for creative entrepreneurs. Building a community space where you can network, meet with clients, and get work done in a variety of spaces.
