New look, renewed outlook: Women-powered Firebrand Collective bringing coworking back to West Bottoms

A revamped Firebrand Collective is relaunching Oct. 1 in the West Bottoms after two months of extensive upgrades and renovations at the woman-focused coworking location, its owner announced Thursday.

The hiatus allowed time to transform Firebrand from a coworking “space” to a coworking “community,” emphasized Megan Adams, founder and head of community at Firebrand Collective.

“To us, it better encapsulates our spirit and provides a home for our members with more diverse opportunity,” Adams said. “While our space is still a prime place to do professional tasks (I mean, it’s our favorite place to work), moving forward it will also be a platform to support Kansas City women in their personal growth through programming, community partnership discounts, volunteer opportunities, and other resources.”

Click here to follow the rollout of the relaunched Firebrand Collective on Instagram.

The 7,300-square-foot urban industrial space at 1101 Mulberry St. features five desks, three private offices, and more than 40 collaborative workstations. Firebrand Collective offers a variety of membership options starting at $40/month, as well as private offices, conference rooms, and a large common area that doubles as an event space.

“We have taken a hard look at our business model and member experience, spent countless hours analyzing every aspect of both, and the result is something truly inspiring,” Adams said. “What we’re bringing to the table with this relaunch is so much more than just a few coats of paint: it’s what the women of Kansas City deserve and have been waiting for not only in a workspace, but in the facilitation of connection and the elevation of our members.”

Founded in 2016, Firebrand Collective is dedicated to helping all women build thriving careers alongside a strong, safe, and inclusive community, as well as fostering a community of growth and making space for the conversations that matter in person and online, the company said.

Jackie Nguyen, Cafe Cà Phê, speaks during a “Stop Asian Hate” vigil in March outside Firebrand Collective in the West Bottoms; Photo by Travis Young

Prior to its initial closure in June, Firebrand played host to Cafe Cà Phê, a mobile Vietnamese coffee shop, during the business’ winter months and was the site of a “Stop Asian Hate” vigil in March.

While Firebrand is proudly women-powered, Adams said, it is intended to be a “hub for she’s/they’s/he’s elevating personally + professionally.”

With its return to the coworking scene, Firebrand joins fellow women-centric spaces and ventures like InnovateHER KC, The Nelle and Brown Sugar Collective.

Having more places for women to convene and collaborate is a good thing, said Lauren Conaway, founder and CEO of InnovateHER KC, a community of women headquartered from the former HerSpace at Plexpod Westport Commons.

“Coworking for women needs to go beyond a desk — to create space for women to meaningfully support each other,” she said.

Firebrand members historically have found such support in the West Bottoms, said Amber Monaco.

“Being a member at Firebrand Collective is more than having a place to sit my laptop … being at Firebrand means that I have a place to go where I feel wanted and welcomed,” said Monaco, an online business manager with You Need An Amber. “I have a place to celebrate my wins, cry with friends over the struggles, and a place to learn from others who have different skill sets that I have.”

This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.

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