RISING ICON #98: Alex West Steinman
An interview with Alex West Steinman, Co-founder and CEO of The Coven:
What name do you prefer to be called?
Alex West Steinman
What are your pronouns?
She/her
Where did you grow up?
Maple Grove, MN
What city are you currently based in?
Minneapolis, MN
How do you typically introduce yourself to new people?
Co-founder of The Coven
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
I wish people understood that I’m a parent first, business owner second. My kiddos are my why, and even though I am a very focused business owner, I center my family in everything I do.
Who do you help?
Entrepreneurs and leaders
What are you building now?
Growing The Coven as a franchise empire! We’re expanding our coworking communities across the country.
What were you building ten years ago today?
My career in advertising.
What do you predict of yourself 10 years from now?
Having exited The Coven, I’m traveling the world with my husband and visiting our kids in college (if they let us).
What’s a fact or statistic you wish everyone knew about your industry?
Coworking isn’t just about real estate, it’s about building true community together, sharing resources and creating lasting relationships.
Why do you believe the work you do matters?
I’ve seen hundreds of businesses started out of The Coven. Strangers sit next to each other, and the next thing you know they’re solving a problem together. This is the magic and energy that happens when people come together in community, and I’m honored to hold space for it.
Who is your mentor and what is the best advice they’ve given you?
I have so many incredible mentors but one is Shawntera Hardy. She has challenged me to own my story, my style, and my growth. She helps keep me focused on what truly matters vs. what everyone else is doing.
What piece of content about you or your company are you most proud of?
We’ve received a ton of press over the years- google us and you’ll find articles from almost every major business and entrepreneurial publication. What I’m most proud of is some of our original research on creating inclusive workplaces. Our business has always been about the future of work, and we love sharing both qualitative and quantitative insights from across the country. You can check out all our national studies here: empressinsight.com.
What publication do you hope to appear in next?
I hope we appear on the cover of entrepreneur magazine. No one is building what and how we’re building, and I think telling our story in a publication entrepreneurs trust would be awesome.
Who would you love to be interviewed by?
OPRAH!
If you had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow, what would the title be?
How to Get What You Want Without Getting in Your Way
What award would mean the most to win?
Awards are great, but I’d rather see impact.
What makes zero sense to you?
How the financial system views Black and women owned businesses as inherently risky.
What game are you changing?
We’re bringing hospitality to the workplace.
Where can we follow you online?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrawest/
instagram.com/alex.west.steinman
What’s one thing that makes every leader better?
Time away from their business. Distance provides mental clarity, perspective on what matters, and a return to self.
To learn more about Alex, visit alexweststeinman.com
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We’re grateful to each RISING ICON for their transformative work. Thank you, Alex, for sharing your story!
LAUREL is a media relations partner for bold leadership. For nearly a decade, we’ve helped leaders build effective strategies for scale and growth specializing in key opinion leadership and go-to-market strategy for emerging brands. To follow along with the RISING ICONS series, nominate a leader or subscribe to our weekly email newsletter. To accelerate your own rise, get our free guide to elevating your leadership profile, FIT(lite). RISING ICONS is made possible by grant funding from Knight Foundation.
“Coworking isn’t just about real estate, it’s about building true community together, sharing resources and creating lasting relationships.”
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