Grace Kraaijvanger
Photo Credit: Jacquelyn Warner
THE HIVERY: A COMMUNITY WHERE WOMEN CAN COLLABORATE AND CREATE As a former professional ballet and modern dancer, Grace Kraaijvanger had a dream to have her own dance studio. In the midst of her search for the perfect space, another dream was revealed, one that was more about building a community for women to collaborate and create. With kindness, creativity and community as THE core values, Kraaijvanger founded The Hivery, a beautiful, collaborative and creative coworking space and inspiration lab where women can realize and embrace their worth by pursuing their passions, finding their "What's Next," and supporting one another along the way. CEOMOM caught up with Kraaijvanger to discuss the inspiration behind The Hivery and why it is so much more than *just* a coworking space -- it’s a movement.
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Who is Grace Kraaijvanger? I am the founder of The Hivery. I started The Hivery five years ago. I had the need for a creative community and collective and was unable to find one, so I decided to create it myself. What I wanted was a space that was beautiful and bright, both aesthetically and figuratively. My career started as a professional dancer. (I became a professional dancer around 16.) I "accidentally" retired at 30, after I had my second child, because I realized the nanny was making more money than I was. Not to mention how hard it was dancing at a high level with 2 kids and paying for childcare. A few years later, I started a full-time career in marketing with a focus on technology companies. But, still, while my job allowed me to work from home a couple days each
week – and it paid well – I couldn’t stop dreaming about starting a business based on what I was passionate about. The Hivery was born from my love and desire for a creative, collaborative, and supportive community. Something similar to what I had when I was a dancer, but that supported any and all types of “dancers” (no pointe shoes needed). I live about 15 to 20 minutes outside of San Francisco and my kids are now in their teens. Ben is 13 and Jane is 15. I have an awesome, supportive husband and a really cute, crazy miniature dachshund named Moxie. She is complicated, but I love her.