Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebekah Gregg.
Hi Rebekah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I’m Rebekah Gregg, Director of Cary Founded, a mission-driven coworking space that opened in Downtown Cary last year. My journey started in Northern Virginia, where I got an early introduction to the hospitality industry thanks to my dad, who managed restaurants. I worked in customer service roles throughout high school and college, and always loved creating memorable experiences for others.
At NC State, I majored in Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management with a minor in Business Administration. I quickly found a passion for events and storytelling, and spent my time in college as a Venue Manager for a local wedding venue.
After graduating, I became the Event Manager at Raleigh Founded, a mission-driven coworking space supporting startups and entrepreneurs. I dove into the coworking world head first, hosting events and helping external groups bring their ideas to life. I had never heard of coworking before that job, but I fell in love with the energy in the spaces that we managed.
Two years later, I was given the opportunity to open Cary Founded, a brand new coworking space coming to Downtown Cary. The space had 35 empty suites and it was a chance to build something from the ground up. We worked with the Cary Chamber of Commerce and Chatham Street Commercial to create the space’s identity, meet local business owners, and understand how Cary’s tight-knit community operated. It was clear that while growth was welcomed, community remained at the heart of Downtown Cary.
Through that experience, I noticed that there wasn’t a central way for people to learn about what was happening in Cary. This led me to start a monthly newsletter called Cary Finds, which quickly grew into an Instagram account that shares upcoming events and highlights local businesses. With the help of a cofounder, we’ve built an Instagram following of over 6,500, launched a small business guide, and partnered with local businesses to host giveaways.
Today, I manage both Cary Founded and Cary Finds. Cary Founded is fully leased with 60+ coworking members, including remote workers, startups, and freelancers. We host 3–5 events each month, often partnering with local businesses like Filly Coffee, The Refreshery, and Branch Boards, as well as organizations like CED, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Cary.
I’m passionate about connecting people and building community. Whether that is through creating space for entrepreneurs, capturing moments through photography, or helping small businesses get the recognition they deserve. At the end of the day, I love lifting others up and making meaningful connections.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth journey, and there were plenty of moments where I questioned whether I was truly making an impact. When opening Cary Founded, there were countless new challenges to navigate. It was my first time handling leasing, and I was managing a 21,000-square-foot space for the first time. At just 23 years old, with construction still underway and the title of Director, I struggled with imposter syndrome. I had to set aside my fear and focus on building the space and the community around it.
We faced delays with permits and construction, even while some tenants had already signed and were ready to move in. Managing their expectations while maintaining a positive experience taught me a lot about underpromising and overdelivering.
With Cary Finds, growth came with a different learning curve. I learned how to build meaningful relationships with small business owners and how to support them. A few months in, I brought on a co-founder who’s been instrumental in our growth. Learning to collaborate, manage content, plan ahead, and maintain strong communication has been such a valuable experience.
As a young professional, one of the biggest hurdles has been simply taking the leap. I doubted myself before accepting the Cary Founded role, and I sat on the idea for Cary Finds for months before launching it. Confidence hasn’t always come easily, but I’ve learned to push past the discomfort and trust that even if something fails, it’s still progress. Many of my mentors have reminded me that failure is how we grow, and I try to carry that mindset into everything I do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Cary Founded is a mission-driven coworking space located in Downtown Cary. We offer coworking, office spaces, event rentals, and community events. We are known for being a community hub within the walkable downtown, perfect for remote workers, established businesses looking for a space to meet clients, and founders ready to grow their business. We work closely with incredible local partners, including the Cary Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Cary, and CED (Center for Entrepreneurial Development).
If you’re looking to expand your network or grow your business, Cary Founded is a great place to start. We’re passionate about supporting local with Bond Brothers beer on tap, coffee from Carrboro Coffee, monthly barista pop-ups with Filly Coffee, and rotating art from Art by Shalimar. We even partner with Growvy who picked the plants for our space and keeps them healthy.
Cary Founded is part of a larger network with four sister locations in Raleigh, and our founders are local entrepreneurs themselves who created these spaces to foster innovation and community.
Our office spaces start at $550/month and our monthly coworking plans start at $150/month. We also offer day passes for $25/day and we are a great place to host business related events!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as growth and happiness. As long as I can say with certainty that those two things exist, I’m exactly where I need to be. I really enjoy learning new things and growing as an individual, I also love leaning into my passion and being able to explore my creative side through Cary Finds and photography.
Pricing:
- Office Suites- Start at $550/month
- Coworking- Starts at $150/month
- Day Passes- $25/day
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.caryfounded.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caryfinds/ and https://www.instagram.com/bekahg.photos/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-gregg/
