Reflecting on the Journey: Farewell to Workspace Barossa

To our dear Workspace Barossa Community,

As I sit down to write this final blog post, I can't help but feel a mix of emotions.

We're feeling all the feels here, and I just wanted to share them with you, as it is the reality of being in business.

It's hard to believe that our journey together is coming to an end. From the very beginning, back in July 2019, when we embarked on this adventure with high hopes and a motto to "Do Good Things"; we've poured our hearts and souls into creating a regional community where people could work differently.

For me, Shelley, it's been a remarkable transition from a 20-year career as a winemaker and for Sam, an IT analyst programmer who commuted three hours a day with a young family, to launching Workspace Barossa. Little did we know the challenges that lay ahead, from the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic to the pressure of starting a second business, Makers & Merchants Barossa. The stresses of business in general meant this was a scary and uncertain time.

Gosh, remember those early days in March and April 2020 when things were just getting crazy...I remember my mum asking what that all meant for the businesses - but we'd never run a business let alone during a global pandemic before!! What it meant for us, our customers and our members was that we were all learning to adapt to the new, scary conditions at the same time - plus they were looking to us to help guide them. I have never heard the word 'pivot' as much as that year...but really, that is what we were constantly doing...pivoting, adjusting, amending, learning as we went.

But through it all, we've kept going by the unwavering family support, friendships, and care of our incredible members. You've treated the Workspace as a second home, supporting us through thick and thin, even when we learned we were expecting our third child in 2021 and when our second business faced challenges post-pandemic. It's been three years of solid slog, hard work, and juggling, but we wouldn't change a thing.

We have enjoyed seeing the main street of Tanunda grow and evolve; loved standing out the front watching the Tour Down Under cycling races, the Vintage Festival parades and our cosy Sip & Stitch nights in the Foyer Space!

As we prepare to close the doors on Workspace Barossa on Tuesday, April 30th, we're filled with gratitude for the opportunity to meet Shaun Lyon, the owner of Little City Coworking, with a shared vision. He and his team will continue to provide a space for like-minded entrepreneurs in the Barossa and greater Adelaide.

For me, Shelley, the journey takes a new direction as I focus on nurturing small and micro-businesses, providing tools and resources to help them thrive—a mission I set out to accomplish when I left winemaking in 2018. This will be in the form of The Regional Collective; with approachable, practical strategies and mentoring for business owners who share our love for our individual regions. And for Sam, it's about focusing on his full-time job, cricket commitments and our young family. And just focusing on one space to clean - and perhaps not at 6am on Monday & Thursday mornings!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who has stood by us during this rollercoaster ride.

To our family and friends - the countless ways you've supported has meant the world to us, and we're incredibly grateful.

As we close this chapter, we're filled with hope and excitement for the future. Here's to new beginnings and positive possibilities.

With love and gratitude,

Shelley and Sam