Startup Story
The concept of co-working for entrepreneurs is not a new one globally, but in Morocco, Chaimaa Elghani, founder of GO4Work, there was a gap. Today, she is creating an inspirational co-working space for people to develop their entrepreneurial spirit and to network with like-minded people who are all on their own business building journeys.
LoA found out more about Chaimaa Elghani’s vision for giving entrepreneurs in Morocco access to the co-working experience.
What does your company do?
C'est un espace de Co-working qui favorise le nouveau mode de travail pour les entrepreneurs, startups et porteurs de projet. Ainsi qu'une organisation d'événements, séminaires, conférences pour développer l'esprit entrepreneurial chez les jeunes entrepreneurs.
It is a co-working space that promotes a new way of working for entrepreneurs, startups, and project leaders, as well as the organization of events, seminars, conferences to develop the entrepreneurial spirit in young entrepreneurs.
“I myself had this problem of finding a professional place to sit down and work around the experts, and that's where the idea comes from. Just after returning to Morocco, I launched my Co-working space.”
“It is a co-working space that promotes a new way of working for entrepreneurs, startups, and project leaders, as well as the organization of events, seminars, conferences to develop the entrepreneurial spirit in young entrepreneurs.”
What inspired you to start your company?
Moi-même j'avais ce problème de trouver un lieu professionnelle pour se poser et travailler autour des experts, et c'est là d'ou vient l'idée par la suite j'ai fait le tour un peu partout au Maroc pour brainstormer et benchmarker sur le concept puis j'étais en Tunisie aussi et l'étape finale c'était ma participation au salon du Coworking ou j'ai remporté le prix de l'entrepreneur international et juste après en rentrant au Maroc j'ai lancé mon Coworking space.
I myself had this problem of finding a professional place to sit down and work around the experts, and that's where the idea comes from. I went all over Morocco to brainstorm and benchmark on the concept, then I was in Tunisia too and the final step was my participation in the Co-working show where I won the international entrepreneur award. Just after returning to Morocco, I launched my Co-working space.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
C'est des services qui répondent directement aux besoins des entrepreneurs.
Tous nos services sont lancés suite à nos rencontres avec cette catégorie pour bien étudier leurs besoins et lancer conjointement avec nos partenaires ce type de service : programme d'accompagnement, formations, after work...
These are services that directly meet the needs of entrepreneurs. All our services are launched following our meetings to study their needs and jointly launch this type of service with our partners: support program, training, after service.
Tell us a little about your team
Sans mes équipes que ça soit celle qui est full-time ou les personnes avec qui je bosse en freelance, sans eux je n'arriverais jamais à réaliser ce que j'ai fait jusqu'aujourd'hui. D'ailleurs tous mes équipes c'est des jeunes, mon rôle c'est de leur inculquer ce Mindset entrepreneurial et leurs permettre aussi d'évoluer dans leurs carrières. J'ai une relation d'amie avec les équipes et non pas un DG, ce n'est pas moi... Mais dans le travail, c'est du sérieux :)
Without my teams, be it the full-time ones or the people I work with on a freelance basis, without them I would never be able to achieve what I have done today. My teams are young people, and my role is to instill in them this entrepreneurial mindset and also allow them to develop in their careers. I have a friendly relationship with the teams and not as a CEO, it's not me ... but in the work, it's serious :)
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Non, ni mes parements ni mes frères c'est des entrepreneurs... mais le drôle dans mon parcours c'est que depuis très jeune je disais à mes parents à l'âge de 26 ans je vais lancer ma boite, en étant jeunes je ne savais pas pourquoi exactement cet âge, j' me disais je vais bosser un peu et par la suite je doit être à mon propre compte et Hélas le rêve se réalise avec beaucoup de persévérance, et d'engagements. J'ai fait du salariat pendant 6 ans c'était mon choix parce que je voulais apprendre et développer des compétences que j'utiliserai par la suite dans mon entreprise.
No, neither my sisters nor my brothers are entrepreneurs ... but the funny thing about my career is that from a very young age I told my parents at the age of 26 I would start my business. Being young I did not know why exactly this age, I told myself I will work a little and then I must be on my own, and fortunately the dream came true with a lot of perseverance and commitment. I worked as a salaried worker for 6 years, it was my choice because I wanted to learn and develop skills that I will later use in my business.
“When I see the impact of our services on the ground and I see the eyes of the entrepreneurs who shine following a support or training program - I tell myself it is my mission on this earth.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Installer GO4Work dans d'autres villes et pourquoi pas en dehors du Maroc. Et rester toujours auprès des entrepreneurs et porteurs de projet marocains.
Install GO4Work in other cities and outside Morocco, and always stay with Moroccan entrepreneurs and project leaders.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Quand je vois l'impact de tous nos services sur le terrain et je vois les yeux de ces entrepreneurs qui brillent suite à un programme d'accompagnement ou formation... je me dis c'est à ma mission sur cette terre.
When I see the impact of our services on the ground and I see the eyes of the entrepreneurs who shine following a support or training program - I tell myself it is my mission on this earth.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
C'est le conseil que j'avais eu par une des femmes Leaders au Maroc que je respecte énormément Mme Lamiae Benmakhlouf qui me disait toujours ta persévérance finira par payer, juste ne baisse pas les bras. Et aujourd'hui je le partage avec toutes els femmes, gardez votre persévérance et ayez confiance en vous et en votre projet et le reste finira pas venir.
This is the advice I had received from one of the women leaders in Morocco whom I respect very much, Mrs. Lamiae Benmakhlouf, who always told me your perseverance will end up paying off, just don't give up. And today I share it with all women, keep persevering and have confidence in yourself and in your project and the rest will come.
Contact or follow GO4Work
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL elghani.chaimaa@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it…
For women entrepreneurs who are just starting out on their journeys, it can be lonely and challenging. Being in a co-working space, being inspired by others around you, getting the opportunity to brainstorm ideas and tap into business networks, can be so useful. Chaimaa Elghani is someone who understands the importance of creating this kind of space, a supportive environment where entrepreneurs can network, do business, and thrive. In Morocco, she has provided a safe, inspirational space where business can be done and the next generation of successful entrepreneurs can be built. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa