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Taking up space this season...Haute Hive
- Madyson Oakes
- Mar 4
- 4 min read
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about growth — not just in business, but personally and how they relate. For most of my life, I’ve naturally been someone who tried to make myself smaller. Quieter. Less noticeable.
And yet, entrepreneurship — and leadership — asks the opposite of us. It asks us to speak up. To be seen. To take up space. Building the Haute Hive has taught me something powerful: when you create spaces where others feel welcome, you start to realize you deserve to belong in the room too.
This season feels like a reminder that growth isn’t just about doing more — it’s about becoming more comfortable in who you already are. Whether you’re growing a business, chasing a dream, or simply figuring out your next step, I hope this space continues to be somewhere you feel inspired, supported, and confident showing up fully.
Cofounder of Haute Hive, Madyson Oakes
So what is it really like to build your business at The Haute Hive? Keep reading to hear firsthand from a member who did exactly that!
When I made the decision to open a private practice for mental health counseling, I knew I wanted that practice to feel different than what may have been the norm. I wanted the space to feel special, elevated, soothing…a place my clients would actually look forward to visiting (which, let’s be honest, is not always how people feel about therapy offices). It was important to me to have a location that honored my clients’ worth—reminding them that this version of self-care could feel as good on the outside as it does on the inside. And the Haute Hive met every aspect of that vision.
I initially hoped to purchase a space, and I spent hours upon hours searching for a small office or building where I could create that experience. Unfortunately, that endeavor—combined with the realities of starting a mental health counseling practice (legalities, website, marketing, electronic health record systems…all the glamorous stuff)—was more than enough for me to chew. After continually coming up empty-handed, I thankfully came across the Haute Hive and instantly felt relieved. It was the perfect solution to getting my business off the ground without sacrificing the experience I wanted to create for my clients.
That experience began with the convenient, free parking directly across the street. I despise the chaos of hunting for parking, then trying to figure out how to pay (is it an app, a kiosk, loose change, interpretive dance?!), and by the time I’ve done all of that…I’m already running late. I loved knowing my clients didn’t have to carry that stress into their session.
Then there were the smiles that greeted them when they walked in. Haute Hive staff were always so caring with my clients—offering them something to drink, walking new clients to my office, and providing a friendly face on what is often a very vulnerable day. That warm welcome is what I miss the most.
The Executive Office I rented was the perfect backdrop to style it my way: a beautiful moody wall, attractive sconces, and the stunning chandelier that graces each Executive Office space. Styling and décor are such interests of mine, so it was genuinely fun to make that space feel like a cozy, elevated little haven for my clients.
The convenient month-to-month lease was what truly confirmed this was the right fit. I could start my business without making huge sacrifices, and when the right opportunity came along, I could take it without fear of breaking a long lease. For a small private practice owner, that flexibility was priceless.
The work clients do at Nourish Wellness Therapy is truly transformational, and that transformation inspired efforts toward my own. In April of 2024 I got the nudge to begin searching again for my own space—and this time it appeared! A fixer-upper, no doubt (we’re talking wall-to-wall cement, one giant room, old pipes, and a very distressed ceiling), but I could instantly see the vision.
After a much-longer-than-anticipated process—because construction always laughs at your timelines—Nourish Wellness Therapy moved into its new home this February. The space is beautiful: soft, warm colors paired with a modern European aesthetic, massive glass doors framing our conference room, and large windows bringing in natural light that complements the mood lighting we carefully chose to create a “home vibe” instead of a sterile office feel. The kitchenette (maybe my favorite feature, if I’m honest) lets clients grab a drink or snack and feel cared for in small but meaningful ways.
And this space feels extra sweet because of the sweat equity behind it. My husband Jason built about 80% of the office after finishing his full-time job—basically turning evenings and weekends into a DIY marathon—so we could give clients a beautiful, peaceful place without increasing session fees. Watching him do that reminded me how many people quietly invest in healing spaces behind the scenes.
Owner of Nourish Wellness, Bridgette Pence
So the question becomes… Are you ready to secure your office and start now?
3 EXECUTIVE OFFICES ARE NOW AVAILABLE at the haute hive!
As you’ve read above, we are truly honored to have been a resource for Bridgette Pence and the incredible company she has built. Watching entrepreneurs take an idea and turn it into something real is exactly why The Haute Hive exists.
Providing a space where business owners feel supported, inspired, and confident to take the next step in their journey is something we deeply value. Bridgette’s story is a reminder that when you surround yourself with the right environment and community, incredible things can happen. The Haute Hive is more than just office space — it’s a place where ideas grow, connections form, and businesses take flight.
Step fully into your business
Where you stop shrinking
Where you take up space
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