Juno House has closed its first year of life confirming that there were many professionals looking for a space where they could work and do networking, in addition to disconnecting and taking care of themselves, finding in Barcelona a demand for a type of social club for women very typical in the United States. "Juno House has proven to be a success story," said one of the three founding partners, Natalie Batlle, "the market is much larger than we thought." The driving team is completed by Liana Grieg and Eva Vila-Massanas.
Not only is there the growth it has registered in the number of members, but also the projects that have already been born within this social club exclusively for women, such as FemmeUp, a startup dedicated to improving female well-being with the commercialization of nutritional supplements. "Juno House is a springboard for female talent. And, furthermore, hard business is done here," Batlle remarked. This is also seen with companies that have decided to present products or collaborate with the social club, such as Bumble, Andbank and Shiseido, generating a new, for now marginal, source of income, beyond the monthly fees paid by the members.
"It's a living project," defended co-founder Liana Grieg. In that sense, the social club plans to open an online store where it will sell products from its members, as well as from emerging brands led by women. This new business area arises from the small physical store they located at the entrance of the building with the same purpose, now seeing that they have to give it more visibility. They are also considering starting to produce a podcast. They do not rule out expanding their model to other cities, as they already had in mind when Juno House was born. The focus is on Southern Europe, but, before that, they prefer to first consolidate the business here and then go further.
All in all, Juno House's proposal celebrates its first year with more than 500 members, growing from the 300 with which it started. Initially, the membership fee was set at 100 euros per month, an amount that represents an outlay of 1,200 euros per year. Later, it was increased to 150 euros per month, which translates into about 1,800 euros annually. To the monthly fee paid, an entrance fee of 475 euros must be added.
The founders contemplated, when they created Juno House, creating scholarships to allow entry to professionals who could not afford the price of being part of the social club. One year later, this intention has transformed into creating a lower fee that will allow access to the networking activities that are organized, but will not grant the right to use the coworking spaces or organized classes. This membership will start with a price of 65 euros per month ---780 euros per year---, a quantity to which the 475 euro fee will have to be added.
To launch Juno House, a round of two million euros was closed, dedicated to the works to adapt the building and to the purchase of furniture, as well as to the hiring of staff. The family office of the Elías family ---reference shareholders of the Veritas chain and former partners of Caprabo--- led the round, which was completed with contributions from the three founders. According to Silvio Elías, one year later, the project has been able to generate enough resources to cover costs and it has not been necessary to inject more capital. With a staff of 20 employees, the company does not break down the turnover figure achieved.
Located in La Farinera de Aribau, an architectural gem hidden in the interior of the block between Aribau, Travessera de Gràcia, Tuset and Moià, Juno House is only discreetly glimpsed from Moià street, just behind the French Institute. It is an old 19th-century factory, with an area of more than 1,400 square meters distributed in a five-story tower and an industrial warehouse, which has become a mechanical workshop. It was restored a few years ago by the Barcelona architecture studio Bogom and Juno House has been its first use since the renovation. The architect Merche Conca from BCA studio and the interior designer Meritxell Ribé from The Room Studio were in charge of getting it ready for its opening in April 2022.
The club is divided into two areas. On one hand, in the old industrial building, the professional services are located, with rooms for working, holding meetings, and making video conferences. There is also a stage where talks and round tables are held, as well as concerts are scheduled. In this area is also the Juno House store, which will now be digitized. On the other hand, the annexed building is dedicated to well-being, with a bar, a daycare service, a floor for acupuncture and receiving a massage, and another for attending meditation, yoga, and fitness classes.