Meet Tanya Hahn, Founding Partner of Yes Working
Her favorite fortune cookie has become her passion.
In 1999, when Tanya opened her fortune cookie and read, “Find A Place To Stand And Move The World,” it resonated. So much so, she put it on her refrigerator, and it remains there still, twenty years later. Tanya is a serial entrepreneur who’s started multiple companies – some with more success than others, she’s quick to qualify – but takes pride in every adventure and has learned from every endeavor.
Her latest endeavor is Yes Working, the co-working space at 965 Baxter Avenue in the Highlands. Business may be rocking now, but it was born from humble needs. “Yes Working was born out of Yes Louisville’s need to find a new headquarters. www.yeslouisville.com
We wanted to move and started looking for a place to call home.” When they found this space, they knew it was perfect for them, but also larger than they needed.
That’s when Tanya’s entrepreneurial brain clicked in. She started thinking about the spaces she’d worked in before – with less things she knew could be improved upon – and concluded she must not be the only one who’s faced those challenges in a co-working space (music too loud, missing equipment, not enough low cost meeting spaces. . . ) And she realized this was an opportunity to change the world, right from where she stood.
Tanya had always wanted a place to connect with other entrepreneurs, share ideas, and learn new things. So the moment seemed right, and she made it happen. She and her business partner, Jason Mudd, began to build and grow Yes Working. Since opening in August of 2018, there are now regular meetup groups, networking groups, paid pop-up events, and paid event rentals happening.
“Not every entrepreneur is like me!” says Tanya when asked about something that has surprised her on this particular journey. “I’m learning to think of what each individual needs to run their own business. For example, I never thought of extension cords or whiteboards. I don’t use those, and so it’s a new perspective [for me]. I’m of the belief if you don’t have it, improvise and make that meeting happen.”
Tanya was born in Louisville and grew up in J-Town. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design, both from the University of Louisville. Part of her schooling involved studying abroad in Italy. Her dream is to have a second home there in Florence, Italy. She loves animals and traveling.
When asked where we might spot her at lunchtime, Tanya shared her personal favorites near Yes Working: Wick’s Pizza, Taco Luchador, La Que, Ramsi’s, Bristol Bar & Grille, and Jimmy John’s. (She’s a self-confessed sandwich lover.) Her recent reads include Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be (by Rachel Hollis), This Might Hurt A Bit (by Doogie Horner), Sales Manifesto (by Jeffrey Gitomer) and several business plans she can’t mention!
If you want to know where to find her between 5:00-7:00 PM, the answer is, working hard in her office. It’s her favorite time of day. “Everyone is gone, and I get a great amount of work done at that time!”
Come meet Tanya and other entrepreneurs who are passionate about what they do. Call 502-266-1164 or visit Yes Working online at www.YesWorking.com
