Join Baia Fernández de la Torre as she navigates from Espacio Arroelo in Pontevedra to The Living Room Coworking in Málaga. As part of this ECHN-funded journey, Baia’s exploration of diverse perspectives and vibrant encounters unfolds, showcasing the boundless potential of cross-cultural creative exchanges.
Every year, the European Creative Hubs Network (ECHN), which both Espacio Arroelo and TLR Coworking are members of, funds an extremely valuable and sought-after initiative which facilitates the exchange of individuals between member hubs.
As part of this programme, TLR had the pleasure of welcoming the vibrant Baia Fernández de la Torre to the space last month. A member of Espacio Arroelo in Pontevedra, an area in the northwest of Spain, Baia is one of more than 70 coworkers that calls the space home.
Seizing the Opportunity
Baia, an emotional and laughter coach, found herself drawn to the Hubs Alliance program during a casual moment in a “café a la fresca”. Recognizing the tremendous opportunity for growth and enrichment by interacting with professionals from diverse backgrounds, she eagerly embraced the chance to step beyond her familiar surroundings and explore new perspectives.
After settling on TLR as her preferred destination hub, Baia’s journey began with practical considerations like finding affordable flights and suitable accommodation in the sunny city of Málaga. Despite the popularity of the city – a well-known tourist destination – Baia managed to secure the last available room in a well-located hostel near El Palo, allowing her to witness her first sunset on the Costa del Sol.
Upon arriving at TLR Coworking, Baia was greeted by our dear TLR Community Manager Valeria, who graciously guided her through the facilities. TLR owner, Ben, who Baia describes as “the soul of TLR” later extended a warm welcome, inviting her to participate in the monthly Meet The Family event on the TLR rooftop.
Connecting Through Shared Stories and Inspiring Encounters
The MTF became an opportunity for Baia to connect with fellow coworkers and share inspiring stories. Baia’s diverse background, from being a hairdresser to transitioning into an emotional and laughter coach, sparked interest among TLR members.
“We shared meals and coffees. On one of those occasions, upon discovering that I had been a hairdresser for many years, even though I am now an emotional and laughter coach, Ben asked me a question about his hair, or rather, he asked me for advice,” recalls Baia.
“My answer, instead of having a stylist’s perspective, I had a totally emotional one. This pleased and surprised him so much that he came up with a brilliant idea. We offered to the TLR community that whoever wanted could have a coffee with me to do some mini emotional counselling. This resulted in several meetings where we could share and even inspire each other.”
Expanding Networks Beyond TLR
Uniquely, Baia’s exchange wasn’t confined to TLR alone – her visit coincided with a nation-wide meeting and conference in Málaga, the annual Coworking Summit, attracting visitors from various creative spaces. This allowed her to engage with a broader network of individuals who shared insights into their respective creative communities, as Baia proudly represented Espacio Arroelo in Pontevedra.
“Throughout the morning we received many visitors to get to know the space, so I was able to meet even more people. People who know very well the creative spaces and have very clear ideas of community,” said Baia.
“They told me how their spaces are in their cities. I was also able to share with them the things I like and value about my home space in Espacio Arroelo in Pontevedra.”
Feeling at Home
Reflecting on her experience, Baia expressed feeling not just welcome but completely at home at TLR Coworking. The hosts, Ben and Valeria, left an indelible mark, introducing her to new experiences and some of the best coffee she has ever tasted!
About Kelly
With professional and educational backgrounds rooted in journalism, Kelly works as a freelance writer – crafting tech content, marketing pieces, social media texts, and newspaper articles.
Originally from Kilkenny, Ireland but currently living in Málaga, Kelly runs her own company called Kelly Mary Media OU and has been a TLR Family member since August 2021. When she’s not knee deep in work, Kelly is off trotting around the globe, documenting her many weird and wonderful (and sometimes cat-accompanied) adventures on Instagram and TikTok via @TheseCornersoftheWorld
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