Partnership: This article is part of a partnership with Dayhouse Coworking Schaumburg, where I'm also a member. All opinions, stories, and coffee-fueled breakthroughs are my own.
 Kari with Jen, Owner, and Bridget, Community Manager at Dayhouse |
A year ago, my "office" was the corner of my kitchen table. My coworkers were a stack of laundry, a dishwasher that needed emptying, and two kids who could smell an open laptop from three rooms away. I got things done, but I was doing all of it alone.
This December,Dayhouse Coworking Schaumburg celebrates its first birthday, and I realized I've been along for almost the whole ride. What started as "I just need a quiet place to create" turned into one of the most meaningful years of growth I've had, personally and professionally. What I found at Dayhouse was a room full of people who would change the way I work, the way I lead, and honestly, the way I see myself.
I Came for a Desk. I Stayed for the People.
Jen and Bridget have built something that's hard to describe until you walk in. They greet you by name. They introduce you to the person at the next table because they know you two should talk. Within a few weeks I wasn't just a member. I was part of a community of business owners, creatives, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs who genuinely want each other to win.
"Working here feels like being back in my college days. Head down. Getting work done. Bouncing ideas off of others when I needed it."
- Dayhouse member
That's exactly it. Focus when you need it, and a brain trust a few steps away when you don't.
The Rhythm That Keeps Me Grounded
Some of my favorite parts of the past year have nothing to do with a to-do list:
- Monthly Wellness Wednesdays that remind me to breathe before I dive back into deadlines
- Group takeout lunches where "what are you working on?" turns into an hour of ideas
- Motivational meetups and the Marketing Meetup, where I've learned as much from the questions as the answers
- Procrastination Club, which helps me nail down the things I've been pushing off
As a parent who's usually the one keeping everyone else on track, having a rhythm that fills my cup has been a game changer.
The Conversations That Changed My Work
The biggest growth didn't come from a workshop. It came from impromptu strategy conversations at the coffee bar, over lunch, or while packing up at the end of the day.
Overheard at Dayhouse 💬
"When I was stuck on making an image perfect for a social post, a fellow member suggested a new layout, and it's now one of the things I'm proudest of this year."
"We want people to collaborate easily, or go to the space where you can do what you need to do."
"I feel so accomplished."
"Dayhouse Coworking in Schaumburg is the best of both worlds: a beautiful, professional space where I can actually focus AND a community that feels genuinely welcoming. Jen and Bridget are a huge part of that. They're thoughtful, kind, and have created something really special here. I always feel more energized, productive, and creative when I'm in the space. I also love that they host events for members, which makes it easy to connect in a low-pressure way. I can't recommend Dayhouse enough!"
Some of my most meaningful work for our community this year started as a "what if..." at Dayhouse. That's what happens when you surround yourself with people who build things.
Growing as a Person, Not Just a Business Owner
I'm wearing a lot of hats these days: publisher, parent, nonprofit leader, coach. For a long time I thought growing meant doing more. This year, working alongside these women and men taught me it's also about asking for help, sharing ideas before they're perfect, and celebrating other people's wins as loudly as my own.
I'm more confident pitching partners. I'm more intentional with my time. And I'm more connected to the local business community than I've ever been. That's the kind of growth that shows up in everything I do for Macaroni KID families.
A Place That Gets Working Parents
When childcare falls through, you don't always want to scrap the whole day. The first time I brought my son Donovan in, Dayhouse was ready with snacks, quiet games, a cozy pillow, and a warm welcome, so I could finish my work with a lot less stress... and mess. Now he likes to point out "there's your office, bro" when we drive by (anyone else in a "bro" phase with your 4-year-olds? 🙄).
The location helps, too. I've had my mom take the kids to story time at the Schaumburg Library while I took a meeting at Dayhouse. Town Square Park, the Friday Farmers Market, Concerts in the Park, and plenty of coffee spots are all a short walk away.
 Donovan, cozy with a blanket and book while I take a meeting at Dayhouse |
☕ Let's Grab a Coffee (at Dayhouse!)
Here's my invitation to you. If you're a local business owner, a parent with a big idea, a nonprofit leader, or just someone who wants to talk shop, come meet me at Dayhouse. Coffee and a hang, a strategy session, a brainstorm about working with Macaroni KID, I'm in. I'd love to share the space that's given me so much.
A Peek Inside
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Learn More About Dayhouse Coworking Schaumburg and Schedule a Tour
📍 20 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, IL 60193
🌐 dayhousecoworking.com/schaumburg
📧 schaumburg@dayhousecoworking.com
Memberships, day passes, events, and a creator's studio for podcasts and video. They also have locations in Highland Park and Evanston.
Cover Image shows Kari with some Dayhouse "Housemates". Explore what they're working on:
From Left:
Liz Owner, A-Z Bookkeeping Service
Lina Freelance Digital Strategist
Bridget Community Manager at Dayhouse Schaumburg
April Event & Marketing Manager at Fellowship Housing
Lauren Business Coach & Strategist at Lauren Schaff Consulting
Kathy Owner The Exercise Coach Schaumburg and Gather & Grow Collective
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