Smita Mishra 
National CEO Conclave 2025
FEATURE: In the evolving landscape of work, where flexibility, design, and community play pivotal roles in shaping professional productivity, Shimarekha Talukdar has emerged as a trailblazer in Odisha. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Fun@Work Coworking, she has not only built a successful business but has also contributed to redefining the very idea of workspaces for a new generation of professionals. Her journey from a decade-long corporate career to launching a premium coworking and boutique hospitality brand reflects an inspiring narrative of courage, insight, and relentless execution.
Shimarekha’s story is not of a conventional entrepreneur who stumbled upon an idea. It is of someone who consciously transitioned from a secure, well-established corporate path into a world full of unknowns. With ten years of experience in business development for a leading private life insurer, she had already mastered the nuances of customer relationships, strategic planning, and multi-location operations. However, it was her inner calling that nudged her toward creating something of her own — a venture that would combine her professional strengths with her personal desire for flexibility and impact.
Fun@Work Coworking, under Shimarekha’s leadership, is more than just a shared workspace. It’s a thoughtfully curated ecosystem that integrates productivity, comfort, and human connection. What started as a single location has now evolved into a vibrant network covering 20,000 square feet across two prime locations in Bhubaneswar. Achieving an average occupancy rate of 95% in premium workspaces is no small feat, especially in a market where real estate dynamics, customer expectations, and service differentiation all play critical roles. Yet, Shimarekha has managed to do so with a consistent focus on delivering value beyond space.
Her earlier corporate exposure to business development laid the foundation for much of what she has accomplished as an entrepreneur. From understanding client requirements to implementing CRM tools, from scaling distribution systems to designing operations across multiple sites — all of it translated seamlessly into her startup playbook. What makes her stand out is not just her ability to transfer these skills, but the way she adapted them to suit a startup environment that required agility, creativity, and customer-first thinking.
One of the distinguishing features of Fun@Work is how it positions itself as a partner in the success of its clients. While many coworking spaces limit themselves to providing desks and meeting rooms, Fun@Work offers tailored solutions that support early-stage businesses with logistics, compliance, legal support, and even connections with venture capitalists. This approach has made it a hub for startups and freelancers who are not just looking for a space to work but a platform to grow.
The workspaces are open 24×7, equipped with ergonomic seating, centralized air conditioning, well-maintained housekeeping services, and access to conference halls and cafeterias. However, what truly elevates the experience is the community vibe and hospitality quotient that Shimarekha has embedded into the brand. The Divine Bite Café, for instance, is more than a place to grab a bite — it’s a melting pot of ideas, interactions, and impromptu networking. Many tenants have credited this café as the catalyst behind acquiring new customers and collaborators, making it a thoughtful and strategic addition to the workspace environment.
Shimarekha’s leadership reflects a clear understanding of the evolving needs of today’s professionals. She recognizes that Gen Z workers crave more than just a place to plug in their laptops. They look for vibe, energy, and emotional alignment with their work environment. Fun@Work responds to this by curating its interiors, facilities, and experiences in a way that inspires creativity and encourages community-building. Her vision for the future includes elements like sleeping pods, wellness areas, and creative corners — all designed to boost productivity while ensuring well-being.
As a female founder, Shimarekha brings a unique empathy and inclusiveness to her enterprise. She is deeply committed to building safe, comfortable environments for all, especially for female professionals. Her involvement in communities like BNI and INWEC further amplifies her reach and influence in fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, particularly among women. She believes that emotional intelligence, multitasking, and resilience — traits often seen in women — are powerful assets in the entrepreneurial world.
Funn@work Coworking space Bhubaneswar
Her ability to stay connected with customers also speaks volumes about her leadership philosophy. By using a robust digital engagement platform and maintaining regular feedback loops, she ensures that the services at Fun@Work evolve in tandem with client expectations. It is this commitment to continuous improvement that keeps occupancy rates high and client satisfaction intact.
Shimarekha’s perspective on scaling is refreshingly grounded. She acknowledges that expansion is not merely about opening new locations but about having scalable processes in place. Her focus on aligning people, technology, and systems before venturing into new markets demonstrates strategic maturity. She advises entrepreneurs to first solidify their base and understand their core audience before trying to replicate success in unfamiliar territories.
Funn@work coworking space Bhubaneswar
What truly sets her apart is her larger vision. Shimarekha doesn’t see Fun@Work as just a business — she sees it as a platform to nurture local talent, promote entrepreneurship, and create employment in Odisha. She recognizes that the state is at a promising inflection point with a stable government and a supportive community. Through Fun@Work, she aims to build a self-sufficient entrepreneurial ecosystem that serves as a launchpad for innovators and changemakers.
Shimarekha Talukdar’s journey is a testament to how passion, strategic thinking, and an unshakeable belief in one’s vision can create meaningful impact. She is not just building workspaces — she is crafting experiences that empower professionals, foster collaborations, and inspire new ideas. In a city like Bhubaneswar, where the startup ecosystem is still growing, her presence and her platform are nothing short of transformational. Fun@Work is a reflection of her values, her foresight, and her determination to shape the future of work, one inspiring space at a time.
