Stories from The Pearl Works

We're thrilled to have Jeremy in our community. As a Community Outreach/Media Specialist at Sierra Health and Wellness, he connects people with mental health care. After years of working from home, he found a renewed sense of connection here. Outside of work, Jeremy loves creating and is writing a book about his journey as an adoptee. We're excited to have him grow and thrive with us!

Kay Switzer

March 28, 2025

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2

min read

Being in the heart of downtown Monterey, we are surrounded by incredible cafes and coffee shops. Coffee shops play a key role in the fabric of our community, providing places to gather, connect, work, and of course, caffeinate. We asked our members about their local favorite spots, and here's what they had to say:

Kay Switzer

March 28, 2025

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3

min read

St. Patrick’s Day, originally a religious observance, has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture, uniting people of diverse backgrounds through shared cultural experiences. Similarly, coworking spaces like The Pearl Works foster community, collaboration, and innovation, bringing people from various industries together to inspire creativity and new opportunities. Both highlight the power of inclusivity and adaptability in creating environments that encourage connection and success.

Kay Switzer

March 14, 2025

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2

min read

The Pearl Works is offering subsidized coworking space to Monterey County-based businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurs through a partnership with the Central Coast Small Business Development Center (SBDC). This initiative provides discounts on coworking space, conference room rentals, and virtual mail services, with SBDC covering a portion of the cost (up to $500). Eligible participants can access these discounted services by applying through an online form, and upon approval, they will receive discount codes for bookings. This program helps local entrepreneurs by providing them with a professional work environment while keeping costs manageable.

Kay Switzer

March 3, 2025

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4

min read

Megan, Director of Customer Success at Shout About Us!, shares her passion for working in the innovative review management industry and her pride in her team’s ability to adapt to AI advancements. She discusses her move back to the area and joining The Pearl Works for a stronger sense of community. Outside of work, Megan enjoys running, hiking, and volunteering, and is inspired by the motto, "Kill them with kindness."

Alora Daunt

February 27, 2025

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2

min read

Monterey is more than just a scenic coastal town—it has a magnetic pull that draws people in, sees them leave, and often welcomes them back. The city’s unique energy comes from its mix of transient and rooted populations.

Jon Letts

February 24, 2025

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4

min read

Meet Nick, a consultant for biotech start-ups with a talent for adlibbing funny song lyrics. In this post, he shares his thoughts on coworking, productivity tips, and the little things in life that keep him grounded. Curious? Read on to get a glimpse of what it's like to work alongside Nick in our space!

Alora Daunt

January 31, 2025

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2

min read

We’re excited to welcome Kay Switzer to The Pearl Works team as our new Operations and Member Success Coordinator! Kay is a powerhouse of energy, organization, and passion for helping others thrive. Whether she’s keeping the space running like clockwork, coaching CrossFit, or diving into her criminology dissertation, Kay brings a dynamic and inspiring presence to everything she does. Read on to get to know Kay. You’ll quickly see why we’re thrilled to have her on board!

Alora Daunt

December 6, 2024

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2

min read

Meet Lauren DaSilva, executive director of the Monterey Rape Crisis Center and a valued member of The Pearl Works community. Lauren shares her strategies for work-life balance, lessons learned from her family, and advice on coworking. She also treats us to her delicious recipe for fasolia, a versatile green bean dish inspired by her Armenian heritage. Lauren and her team have been using The Pearl Works as a temporary home, and while we’ll miss them when they move, we’re grateful for their presence. Read the full blog to learn more about Lauren’s inspiring journey and try her incredible recipe!

Alora Daunt

December 4, 2024

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3

min read

Raju is a consistent presence here at The Pearl Works. He is always down for a sweet genuine conversation and adds a unique blend of humor and insight to our coworking community. He is a dog lover who appreciates good food. Raju enriches our space with his deep sighs and restaurant recommendations. 

Alora Daunt

November 4, 2024

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2

min read

Michelle brings a kind, gentle presence to The Pearl Works, creating a sense of calm in the space. Each day, she commutes from Santa Cruz so her child can attend Chartwell School—a connection we discovered we share, as I also attended Chartwell. Michelle enriches our community with her warmth and openness. We’re grateful to have her here, and I’m excited for you to learn more about her in this interview.

Alora Daunt

September 12, 2024

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2

min read

Ji grew up in the area and before he even landed back in the States he reached out and scheduled a tour. He knew that he wanted to set up his transition back to the area for success. Ji is a cornerstone of this space and community and is a delight to know and be around. Read on to learn more about this wonderful thoughtful human we get to spend time with with on a regular basis.

Alora Daunt

August 5, 2024

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2

min read

The Pearl Works and Monterey County Business Council are working together to subsidize memberships, conference room rentals, and our virtual mail program for small businesses based in Monterey County. Read on to learn how to apply!

Alora Daunt

April 18, 2024

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10

min read

Unlock the secret to seamless meetings in Monterey, CA with our exploration of the benefits of coworking meeting rooms. Discover how these versatile spaces offer the perfect blend of privacy, professionalism, and convenience.

Alora Daunt

March 13, 2024

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3

min read

Caroline is a social pin in our community here at The Pearl Works. She makes a point to get to know new members and connect with people in the space. Caroline is a caregiver, connector, lover of books, and sports center enthusiast. Read on to learn more about this incredibly caring human! 

Alora Daunt

February 29, 2024

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2

min read

James is a cornerstone member here at The Pearl Works. He always comes in with a friendly hello, and leaves at the end of the day with a “I had so much fun, let’s do it again tomorrow." James is a foodie, father of 2 boys and a delight to be around. Read on to learn more about this guy! 

Alora Daunt

December 12, 2023

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2

min read

With International Women in Business Week coming up we wanted to take a moment to celebrate and uplift the work of Marie Goulet. Marie is the subtle flame behind Wild Land Workshop. She is an incredible Landscape Architect who focuses on regenerative, sustainable landscapes. Read on to learn more about this incredible human and the work Wild Land Workshop is up to.

Alora Daunt

October 6, 2023

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3

min read

e’re gonna try a little social experiment at C+S’s Anniversary Festival. We’ll be hosting a lush, shaded space among other awesome vendors and organizations and, throughout the day, invite people (including you!) in for a quick conversation with a stranger. In short, we’re going to challenge the vendor-customer dynamic and encourage humans to be humans. And we want you to be there!

Alora Daunt

July 13, 2023

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1

min read

We no longer require vaccine verification for meeting room reservations. All members and day pass folks using common work areas will still be required to verify their Covid -19 vaccination.

Alora Daunt

June 30, 2023

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1

min read

Katherine has been a member of The Pearl Works since March 2022. This inquisitive, humorous, and genuine human being is passionate about building community and is an awesome moderator.

Alora Daunt

June 15, 2023

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2

min read

In honor of Mental Health Month, this blog post highlights five key ways in which coworking spaces can support mental well-being.

Alora Daunt

May 12, 2023

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5

min read

Erin joined The Pearl Works in October 2021. After seeing the potential of the space and the impact it could have on the community, she even lovingly pushed us out of our comfort zone to open the doors before everything was perfect, and we’ve never looked back. I am forever grateful for the lesson she taught me about ideas and systems being good enough to let them out into the world where they can evolve and become what they are meant to be in the real world. She’s a cat lover, nature enthusiast, and non-profit professional working in the impact investing sphere. Her commitment to shifting capital towards solutions is incredibly inspirational.

Alora Daunt

April 12, 2023

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2

min read

Both options are within our shared workspace, but honestly, which one is best for you comes down to your preferred work style!

Alora Daunt

Sam Salerno

April 3, 2023

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3

min read

Olga has been a member of The Pearl Works since February 2021. She is a woman with diverse interests in PR, Real Estate, and is learning Spanish. She is probably one of the most chill people I have ever met. I had the opportunity to ask her some questions and get to know her better… She is wonderful.

Alora Daunt

March 6, 2023

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2

min read

Being a part of the menagerie of businesses in downtown Monterey is one of the best parts of The Pearl Works. With so many lunch spots within walking distance, The Pearl Works is ideally located.

Alora Daunt

February 9, 2023

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2

min read

As the holiday season approaches, we asked our members what products make their remote work life more manageable. Here are some community favorites!

Alora Daunt

Sam Salerno

November 2, 2022

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2

min read

Successful meetings are the result of two things: 1) a motivated, task-oriented team; and 2) a comfortable, empowering meeting space. When you're considering where to host your next business meeting or work event, keeping these four key amenities top of mind will help you easily identify spaces where your team can do their best work.

Alora Daunt

Sam Salerno

July 1, 2022

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5

min read

Elisabeth is a caring individual striving to make a positive contribution to the world. She is genuine and authentic. It was such a pleasure to speak candidly and learn from her experience and wisdom.

Alora Daunt

February 4, 2022

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5

min read

Coworking is awesome. When you join a coworking space, you receive a community of people, the structure to success, and an opportunity to practice human-ing

Alora Daunt

January 24, 2022

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2

min read

As human beings, we crave human connection. It is imperative to get out of the house from time to time. The Pearl Works is a space for that connection away from home, but we must also work to keep each other safe.

Alora Daunt

January 10, 2022

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2

min read

One of the Founder's of The Pearl Works dives into a film review touching upon sustainability within fashion.

Alora Daunt

December 1, 2021

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3

min read