Mélanie Burnier and the Work Hub Adventure – Take Control Now Podcast

In this second episode of the Take Control Now podcast, I had the pleasure of welcoming Mélanie Burnier, a dynamic entrepreneur, culture enthusiast, and director of the The Work Hub coworking spaces in Vevey and Bulle.

With Mélanie, we talked about her entrepreneurial journey, starting her first company at 30, human values, and her vision of the future of work.

Who is Mélanie Burnier?

Mélanie Burnier is 44 years old and lives in La Tour-de-Peilz. She currently manages two coworking spaces — The Work Hub Vevey and The Work Hub Bulle — while juggling several other activities:

• Fundraising for the Le Reflet theatre in Vevey.
• Coordination and fundraising for the rock festival Nox Orae.
• Vice-president of the association Coworking Switzerland.
• Not to mention her role as a mother of two.

A full life, which she embraces with energy and passion.

From Mindset to The Work Hub: Bouncing Back After a Difficult Start

Before entering the coworking world, Mélanie co-founded Mindset, a company specialising in market research, particularly for the aerospace sector. Founded with two colleagues, the company grew quickly and employed around ten people.

👉 Her best memories:

• The team spirit and the human connection with her colleagues.
• The trust-based relationships she built with clients.

👉 The lesson learned from the end of the venture: Following a clash of values with her business partners, Mélanie was forced to leave the company. Looking back, she sees that moment as an opportunity:

"In the end, they pushed me to make a decision I never would have dared to make on my own."

The Work Hub: A New Vision for the Way We Work

In 2017, Mélanie launched into coworking, convinced that the way we work needs to evolve. Her vision: to offer spaces close to home, promoting quality of life and human connection, rather than the isolation of working from home.

She explains that the Covid crisis accelerated these trends and strengthened interest in coworking spaces, even if the reality varies depending on each space's business model.

"In a coworking space, you separate your personal and professional life, you rediscover social connection, and you work in good conditions."

Her Philosophy and Advice

• Quality of life first: working less to enjoy your time, even if it means earning less.
• Balance: knowing when to say no to certain projects to avoid burning out.
• Shared values: choosing your business partners based on common values, not just skills.
• Organisation: relying on simple tools like a weekly notebook to manage your to-do list.

"Success means being at peace with yourself and aligned with the choices you've made."

Inspirations and Resources

• Inspired by her mother, who was active in politics from the 1980s onward.
• An avid reader, she recommends the novel The Dream Gang by Luca Di Fulvio.
• A positive outlook and philosophy: Carpe Diem.

Where to Find Mélanie Burnier?

• At The Work Hub: in Vevey or Bulle, over a coffee ☕
• On LinkedIn: Mélanie Burnier
• Via The Work Hub's channels: theworkhub.ch

Conclusion

Mélanie Burnier's journey is a testament to entrepreneurial resilience: bouncing back from a difficult experience, creating a space that brings people together, and continuing to champion the importance of human connection in the workplace.

👉 An inspiring story for anyone who wants to build something different — with purpose and balance.