Transforming under-utilized high street bank branches into vibrant community hubs for female-led SMEs, connecting them with space and support to thrive.
Female entrepreneurs make up only 20% of all founders, and only 2% secure VC funding. Through qualitative research with 10 entrepreneurs, I uncovered the persistent gender gap in entrepreneurship and the virtual barriers created by digital spaces for SMEs. The goal was to create a service model that addresses the unique challenges female entrepreneurs face, such as limited workspace, community support, and financial resources. We developed Not A Second Bedroom (NAB) initiative—a work-café and financial hub within bank branches—offering flexible workspaces, tailored financial services, networking opportunities, and mentorship programs. NAB provided female entrepreneurs with essential support, creating a holistic environment for business growth and positioning the bank as a key partner in their entrepreneurial journey.
WEBSITE
https://not-a-second-bedroom.cargo.site/
https://www.instagram.com/not.a.second.bedroom
Project Leader & Coordinator
Researcher
Service Designer
DURATION
May 2024 - Jul 2024
- Literature Review
- In-depth Interview
- Service Safari Research
- Stakeholder Analysis
- Persona Creation
- User Journey Mapping
- Trend Analysis
- Competitor Analysis
- Theory of Change Development
- Service Prototyping
- Questionnaire Collection
- Storyboard Creation
TOOLS