Through collaboration, community, and convenience, we aim to redefine the modern workspace by supporting the needs of both individuals and families, fostering growth, creativity, and work-life harmony.

Photo by Wild Womb Photography, 2024.

The Aspen House is a multi-generational community center, workspace, and playspace. We are pioneering a creative childcare model as well that offers flexible, hourly child watch with pay-per-hour rates and an affordable monthly membership for the families we serve. With a focus on ages 0-4, The Aspen House will serve the whole family from babies through the preschool years with on-site care, community spaces, coworking and independent workspaces, and in the future, rooms for independent parent-centered care services.

“Shouting ‘self-care’ at people who actually need community care is how we fail people.”
— Nakita Valerio

  • Vision

    The Aspen House will create a third space that bridges the gap between home and work. This space will serve as core social infrastructure in rural Northern Michigan for people to find support in both work and family life.

  • Values

    We believe in the dignity and intrinsic worth of every human being. We strive to create an environment that puts a family’s well-being and ability to thrive truly in the forefront of building resilient, healthy, and happy communities.

See our offerings

Kendall Rose
Founder

Hi, I’m Kendall. I’m a mid 30’s transplant to Northern Michigan from Metro Detroit, and have set down roots here as we grow and raise our family in central Leelanau County. For the past 7 years, I have owned and operated an event planning and event design business. It was the perfect blend of the hospitality, service, and tourism industries and connected me to so many inspiring small business owners.

Since becoming a mother and connecting with so many other parents in our rural community of Northern Michigan, I knew I wanted to create a space that could meet multiple needs at once; space for childcare specifically geared towards infants and toddlers, space to work on-site and manage a business or creative endeavor, and opportunities for people to connect in a low-key, less corporate environment than a traditional coworking space. A place where you could honestly and openly show up in a flexible work environment.

The Aspen House idea was born in the midst of my early years as a mother, but it really begins with a deep sense of longing so many of us have to see and be seen in the purpose of our work, both at home and in the community. I’m so glad you found your way here and look forward to sharing this journey with you.

When I’m not living and breathing The Aspen House, you can find me working on our family’s 1970s fixer-upper (gut job) of a bungalow in the community of Cedar, chasing our kids around the woods, cooking and reading, and spending time with friends and family who come to visit us in the place we love to call home.

Who We Serve

  • Parents

    All parents are welcome at The Aspen House. Inviting and inclusive spaces ensure that parents can thrive with room to work, rest, play, socialize, and enjoy community with other parents of young children.

    Fathers, partners, and co-parents are invited to be a part of this nurturing environment and to help improve the experience of all people who are involved in building families.

  • Women & Mothers

    Our mothering-centric spaces are intuitive and comprehensive, designed to put mothering needs first in public spaces rather than as an afterthought. The ADA-accessible and universally designed space is designed for strollers and diaper bags, bottles and breastfeeding, functional enough for childcare, beautiful enough to enjoy a respite from home.

    The Aspen House offers group and individual pre and postpartum services in partnership with area providers who will offer services on-site.

  • Infants

    Newborns and infants are welcome to join their parents at The Aspen House. We offer comforting spaces for rest and relaxation with a breastfeeding room, accessible bathroom, pumping station, and infant-centric play space.

    Ages 3 months and up are welcome in the childcare program. For newborns and infants other 3 months of age, we have a workspace that is baby friendly.

    Expecting parents are invited to begin a membership at any time in their pregnancy journey to connect with other parents.

  • Toddlers

    Toddlers and children are introduced to socialization and play in a large, open-ended space and environment. Lightly structured days and activities help to support the “home away from home” model.

Join the member waitlist

Coming soon

The Aspen House is a dynamic team of people who are passionate about families, children, and community.

Behind the scenes, this start-up business receives incredible in-kind support from business mentors, accountants, branding and marketing gurus, copy editors and writers, and people with specialized skillsets in early childhood development and health and wellness services.

We’ll be growing and adding staff in 2025 and will be seeking caregivers with Early Childhood Education credentials, caregivers interested in acquiring training and credentials, and support staff such as administrative, accounting, and facilities management.

Please email hello@ouraspenhouse.com to stay on our radar and connect!