The future of work deserves better
— so we built it
We didn’t wait around for someone else to fix what’s broken about work. We rolled up our sleeves and started with what we had: a couch, a kitchen table, and the unshakable belief that work should feel human again.
Today, we’re proud to be the only 100% woman- and Filipino-owned coworking and community hub in the greater NYC area — a space where you’re more than your title, and you never have to build alone.
From Couch to Collective
Narra didn’t come from investors or venture capital. It started on my couch in Jersey City.
I’m Sheila “Shy” Burmistrova — a startup operator turned stay-at-home mom, and by most standards, not the typical founder. In the early days of motherhood, in the quiet hours between feedings and nap schedules, one question kept echoing in my mind...
What would work look like if it actually worked for us?
For the parents carrying it all.
For immigrants finding their footing.
For creatives and founders building without a blueprint.
For people like me — and maybe people like you — who were tired of doing it alone.
So I opened up my home. Literally.
At first, it was just coffee at my kitchen table — a handful of people who needed more than a place to plug in. What started small became something undeniable: a real community, built on care, courage, and the drive to create something better.
We outgrew the living room. And I knew it was time to bet on something bigger.
Built by a Family,
For Families
I signed a lease five times bigger than what I thought I could manage.
No safety net, no outside funding. A big rent and a much bigger risk. But also, a blank canvas for reimagining the future of work.
My husband and father helped build the space — every wall, every paint stroke, every detail is chosen with intention and care. It’s built by a family, for families: layer by layer, like the stories we wanted Narra to hold.
This was never just about desks, but about creating something lasting for our family, and for every person who walks through our doors.
Today, Narra stands as a family-built legacy and the only 100% woman- and Filipino-owned coworking space in the area — shaped by hospitality, inclusion, and the deep belief that you matter here.
Why Narra?
Because you deserve more than just a desk.
Because work isn’t separate from life — and shouldn’t be treated like it is.
Because no one else was building the kind of space we needed — so we built it ourselves.
Narra is not just about coworking.
It’s a place where people bet on you — especially when the world won’t.
A place where you can start something new — or pick up where you left off.
A place to be bold, be messy, be real.
Welcome to Narra Collective.
More than a workspace — it’s a story you’re part of.
We’ve created a space where your name matters more than your title.
Where you can show up as a founder, a freelancer, a full-time parent — or all three.
At Narra, you’re not expected to have it all figured out.You’re simply expected to show up — as you are.
And when you do, we’ll be right here.
Mission
We make success accessible—through intentional spaces, personalized support, and an inclusive community grounded in Filipino hospitality.
We’re reimagining what work feels like when people come first.
We do this by centering hospitality in every touchpoint, delivering flexible solutions that meet people where they are, and cultivating a community-first platform that reflects the strength and richness of shared stories.
Vision
Narra Collective is building more than a coworking space—we’re shaping the future of work, where purpose, belonging, and flexibility are foundational and ambition is fueled by community.
We envision a world where more spaces feel like Narra — built by and for their communities, where you feel welcome whether you’re closing a deal, changing diapers, or chasing your next idea.
A world where flexibility, connection, and care are not luxuries but the standard.
Our Philosophy
We believe the best spaces aren’t just designed — they’re lived in, loved, and layered with meaning.
We don’t measure success by how many desks are full, but by how many stories begin here.
We lead with Filipino hospitality: warm, generous, intentional.
We bet on people — especially those others might overlook.
We honor every journey — messy, in-progress, and unpolished.
Your name matters more than your title.
And we believe in giving you a place where you can feel proud to show up, exactly as you are.
Core Values
These guide everything we do at Narra — from the way we greet you at the door to the way we dream about what’s next.
Belonging > Fitting In
You don’t have to shrink to belong here. Come as you are.
People Over Profit
Always. We’re building relationships, not just transactions.
Care is strategy
Every detail — from the coffee to the quiet zones — is designed with care, because care is what makes spaces memorable.
Community > Competition
We rise higher when we lift each other.
Meet the Narra team
