✨ Meet a Pearl Peep: Michelle Norton

Michelle brings a kind, gentle presence to The Pearl Works, creating a sense of calm in the space. Each day, she commutes from Santa Cruz so her child can attend Chartwell School—a connection we discovered we share, as I also attended Chartwell. Michelle enriches our community with her warmth and openness. We’re grateful to have her here, and I’m excited for you to learn more about her in this interview.

Alora: What is one of your superpowers?
Michelle: I think my superpower is the ability to nurture and support people.  do this in my role as a mom, wife, friend and in my career as an HR professional.  I love supporting and encouraging others and lifting people up. Whether it's through listening, offering advice, or simply being there for someone, I find great fulfillment in seeing those around me thrive.

How has coworking impacted your life and relationship with your family?
Coworking has brought back the balance I needed post-pandemic. I was home for two and a half years homeschooling our child while working 40 + hours a week. Being able to come to The Pearl Works, a space that is not home and just for me, has allowed me to be more present when home and thankful for the time we have as a family.

What does success look like for you?
For me, success looks like having a happy, healthy, and thriving family. It means being able to provide for my loved ones and seeing them grow and flourish. It means being able to spend quality time with them and creating memories. Ultimately, success is about finding joy and fulfillment in the relationships that matter most to me.

What’s one thing you learned in the last month?
The company I work for, HP,  has invested in integrating AI tools into our daily operations. In the last month, I have been taking online courses to learn all about AI, and how to incorporate it in my daily work. I have discovered the many ways in which AI can streamline HR processes. One of the coolest things I created with AI was taking a word doc that documented a process and with the click of a mouse, AI turned it into a PowerPoint Presentation complete with pictures and talking points. I tend to geek out over this type of stuff. It’s pretty cool.

Who inspires you in your life? Why?
The person who inspires me the most is my awesome kid. Despite all the challenges they face, they never give up and always make me laugh. Their resilience and determination are a constant source of motivation for me. The pandemic was hard on kids, and the return to the world post-pandemic was especially hard on mine. Seeing them overcome obstacles and grow into a strong, confident individual fills me with pride and inspires me!

Michelle is a Pod Desk Member here at The Pearl Works, and you can often find her at her favorite corner desk by the fiddle leaf fig. Her nurturing spirit and commitment to balance remind us of the importance of creating space for ourselves. If you’re a working parent like Michelle, seeking more balance in your life, book a tour and see if The Pearl Works is the right place for you to connect, recharge, and thrive.