We recently connected with Sheila Burmistrova and have shared our conversation below.
Sheila, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Finding my purpose wasn’t about having one defining moment—it was about piecing together experiences, values, and lived realities that shaped who I am. As a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines, I’ve always carried with me the deep sense of community, resilience, and hospitality that defines my culture. Filipinos have this innate ability to create warmth and belonging wherever we go, and that’s something I knew I wanted to bring into my work.
For most of my career, I worked in operations and commercial real estate for startups, navigating fast-paced environments where success was often measured by growth, efficiency, and profit. But it wasn’t until I stepped away from the workforce to become a stay-at-home mom for a year that I truly gained clarity about what I wanted to pursue next. That time—though filled with love, exhaustion, and personal growth—made me deeply aware of the gaps in support for parents, professionals, and caregivers who are often forced to choose between their ambitions and their families.
I saw a need for a space where work and life could actually coexist. A space where you didn’t have to compartmentalize being a parent, an entrepreneur, or a creative. Narra was born out of that realization—a coworking space that isn’t just about desks and meeting rooms, but about fostering connection, flexibility, and a true sense of belonging.
Narra is a reflection of my journey, my roots, and my purpose. It’s about creating spaces that empower people to own their narratives, rewrite their paths, and define success on their own terms. That, to me, is the most fulfilling work I could ever do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m Sheila “Shy” Burmistrova, Founder and CEO of Narra Collective, Jersey City’s first family-friendly coworking space. The vision for Narra has always been clear: to create a space where families, business owners, professionals, and creatives can connect, feel inspired, and pursue their goals—without having to choose between work and life. Narra is not just a coworking space; it’s a place where people can tap into their passions, take ownership of their stories, and build something meaningful. My hope is that Narra helps people create opportunities, build wealth, and achieve success on their own terms.
2025 is all about growth and impact. We’re focusing on:
Expanding our membership and bringing more people into the community
Hosting more events, workshops and classes that foster collaboration, mentorship, and real conversations
Showcasing Filipino culture through meaningful partnerships and storytelling
Making Narra the go-to coworking space in Jersey City and beyond, not just for its amenities, but for its heart, hospitality, and the people who make it special
One of our biggest upcoming events is our first-ever Women’s Month Summit on March 7: Rewrite Your NARRAtive: A Women’s Summit on Intentional Success. This summit is about owning your story, redefining success on your terms, and creating a support system that uplifts everyone. We’re bringing together an incredible lineup of founders, authors, and industry leaders to have real conversations about career, leadership, financial empowerment, and well-being. It’s open to all women, their partners, and allies because these conversations impact all of us.
At its core, Narra is about empowering people to Own Their NARRAtive—whether that means redefining success on your own terms, carving out a new path, or creating the space to build something meaningful. We believe that your story is yours to tell, shape, and own, and Narra is here to support you along the way. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built so far, and I can’t wait to see how our community continues to grow and evolve.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three things have been most impactful in building Narra: resilience, relationships, and trusting my vision.
Resilience – Keep going, even when doubt creeps in. Starting something from scratch—especially as a self-funded founder—comes with uncertainty. I’ve had moments where I questioned everything, but reminding myself of my why kept me moving forward. See challenges as part of the process, not a stop sign. Adapt, adjust, and surround yourself with people who believe in your vision.
Relationships – Community is everything. Narra thrives because of the relationships we’ve built—with members, partners, and stakeholders. Opportunities come from real connections and truly, your network is your net worth. Be intentional, instead of transactional about your network. Offer value first, collaborate genuinely, and invest in people who align with your vision.
Trust Your Vision – No one will believe in it as much as you do. When you’re building something new, people will question it. But the strongest ideas come from those who dare to do things differently. If it keeps you up at night, excites you, or challenges you, that means you’ve tapped into something that truly matters. That’s where you need to start. Get clear on your “why” and stick to it. Take feedback, but don’t let it shake your belief. The world needs your unique perspective and you need to own it.
For anyone starting out—just begin. The timing will never be perfect, but if you stay resilient, build strong relationships, and trust yourself, you’ll create something meaningful.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I believe in going all in on your strengths while surrounding yourself with people who complement the areas where you’re not as strong. Trying to be great at everything can slow you down, but when you focus on what you do best and bring the right people into your circle, that’s when real growth happens.
When I started Narra, I knew I was strong in operations, community-building, and big-picture visioning. What I wasn’t as strong in are things like marketing execution, social media, and some of the finer details of customer acquisition. If I had spent all my energy trying to master those things, I wouldn’t have been able to focus on the bigger picture—building Narra into a space that truly serves its members. I brought in the right people, like our incredible Managing Director, Mia, and our offshore team in the Philippines, who help bring Narra’s vision to life every day.
I learned that instead of spending time trying to turn your weaknesses into strengths, spend time maximizing what you already excel at and find the right people or tools to support the areas where you need help.
That said, there are times when you do need to improve weaker areas—especially if they’re essential to your growth. When I transitioned from operations into launching my own business, I had to become more comfortable with sales and self-promotion, which didn’t come naturally to me. But instead of forcing myself to become someone I’m not, I found ways to do it in a way that felt authentic—through storytelling, personal connections, and letting my work speak for itself.
At the end of the day, leaning into your strengths is what allows you to grow and scale with confidence. It’s what helps you move faster, stay in alignment with your purpose, and build something sustainable. Know what you’re great at, own it, and find the right support for everything else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joinnarra.com
- Instagram: @narra.collective
- Facebook: Narra Collective
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/narra-collective/
Image Credits
Nev Trinajstic of Nev Photography
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