Where Parenthood, Wellness, and Work Converge: The Story of Work&
Abbey Donnell & Jules Lairson of Work&
When Abbey Donnell and Jules Lairson launched Work& in 2017, they weren’t just creating another workplace perk.
This wasn’t about having 12 different types of milk in the office kitchen, unlimited kombucha on tap, or other nice (but ultimately inconsequential) perks in the workplace.
They were building a movement: a wellness-first, parent-first approach to the physical workplace. They wanted to do work that recognizes and supports the full humanity of employees, especially working parents. Lastly, they wanted to ensure that these humans at work feel this support throughout every stage of their career and personal life.
What started as a solution for nursing mothers in the workplace has evolved into a holistic model for the future of work‚ for everyone.
From Personal Insight to Purpose-Driven Business
Abbey Donell’s journey began in the trenches of corporate life. As a former advertising executive and certified lactation counselor, she witnessed colleagues navigating the impossible balance of career and parenthood.
Too often, mothers returning to work were left scrambling for privacy, dignity, and the basic facilities they needed just to pump some breast milk. That friction sparked an idea: what if workplaces could not only accommodate working parents but actively support them?
Donnell found a perfect partner in Jules Lairson, whose strategic and operational expertise complemented Abbey’s vision. Together, they launched Work& (originally “Work & Mother”).
Their goal was simple yet ambitious. They wanted to create spaces where parents could thrive, wellness could be prioritized, and work could be designed around real human needs.
The name of the business itself evolved over time. Then they dropped the “Mother”, it was to reflect an inclusive ethos that extends support to all employees, while retaining a core commitment to parents.
Designing Dignity Into the Workplace
At its heart, Work& combines physical spaces with technology, with thoughtful touches threaded throughout.
Their signature offerings are their lactation suites and wellness pods.
Unlike pods that felt clinical, Work&’s spaces are designed to feel rejuvenating and spa-like.
Instead of hulking pods tucked into an unassuming corner of the office, they’re intentional, high-design environments. These private spaces are designed to give employees somewhere to step away to pump, meditate, pray, take telehealth appointments, or simply find a quiet moment
By elevating wellness from a “nice-to-have” to essential infrastructure, Work& shifts the conversation from compliance to culture. Any employer can designate a sterile, fluorescent-lit room as a “pumping room”, but organizations who want to take it a few steps further might look to Work&’s sleek pods and suites.
Employers gain tools that enhance retention and inclusion, landlords add measurable amenity value, and employees get the support they need to bring their full selves to work. The founders of Work& recognize that sometimes, stepping aside for a few minutes of meditative silence is the way to get one’s full self up and running.
A Model That Scales
Work&’s business approach is as thoughtful as its design philosophy.
The company partners with commercial property owners to install dedicated suites and pods, which can be shared across tenants. This type of partnership makes high-quality amenities scalable and cost-effective.
Their proprietary booking platform ensures privacy and efficiency. This gives employees seamless access while helping employers meet regulatory obligations, such as those under the U.S. PUMP Act.
Beyond lactation, Work& has expanded into hybrid wellness pods that serve multiple purposes:
Quiet work
Meditation
Prayer
Telehealth
Mental health breaks
This flexible, forward-thinking approach acknowledges that the modern workplace must address diverse needs, not just those of parents.
The Broader Impact
The evolution of Work& reflects a larger trend in workplace design: wellness and inclusivity are no longer optional. Companies that fail to invest in thoughtful employee support risk losing talent and engagement, particularly among parents who often carry invisible burdens.
Work& addresses this challenge head-on. They have created spaces that honor life outside the office while enhancing performance and satisfaction within the work environment.
Work&’s expansion into major U.S. markets (including New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami) demonstrates that their model is both scalable and essential.
By embedding wellness infrastructure into commercial spaces, they offer a blueprint for how modern workplaces can meet (and maybe even exceed) employees’ needs without compromise.
The Work& Lifeline
As someone who has navigated the pressures of parenthood in the workplace, I can attest to how rare it is to find a space that honors both your professional and personal life.
The day I went into labor with our third child, I thought back to those early days with our first, when a high fever on day three left us scrambling and exhausted.
At Carter House Copy, we never tire of learning about companies like Work&, of founders like Abbey Donnell and Jules Lairson.
Work&’s approach — elevating dignity, wellness, and flexibility — is exactly the kind of thoughtful design I wish every workplace offered.
It’s much more than a perk. It’s a lifeline for families trying to do it all.
