Self-described “solopreneur” and Chicago area native, Dana Berggren, moved to Las Vegas in 2002. Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, she attended the University of Illinois, then while living in the City she began dating someone she had known since the age of 13. Dana’s typical path would have been to move back to the suburbs after marrying to raise kids. But having never really left Chicago, she needed an adventure.
“Our family frequently vacationed in Las Vegas, so I was very familiar with the Strip and a friend suggested we look for homes in Summerlin,” Dana recalls. “As we drove west on Summerlin Parkway, I was awe struck by the beauty of the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon, the sunshine and blue skies. I knew that this was the place.” Summerlin is truly a family affair. Soon after Dana moved to Las Vegas, she was joined by her brother and his family as well as her mom, who are all now Summerlin residents.
Dana, a commercial real estate broker, left corporate commercial real estate in 2014 to start her own independent brokerage. While on the hunt for the ideal office space, she recognized the growing demand for flexible office and coworking. So, in 2017, she opened The Coop, a shared workspace with a focus on community and collaboration. Located in the Hills Center Business Park across the street from the popular Trails Village Center, The Coop offers adjacency to neighborhood coffee shops, retail and services – yet another reason for its growing patronage.
“A city girl at heart, I originally had my eye on Downtown Las Vegas, but ultimately chose Summerlin for my coworking space,” said Dana. “Having a cool workplace close to home and being able to collaborate with dynamic business owners, remote workers, and entrepreneurs has been so fulfilling.” The Coop’s mission to support locals is evident with its locally roasted coffee, custom furniture and artwork, and monthly breakfasts for coworkers catered by Summerlin eateries.
Dana, who divorced in 2018, credits the couple’s childhood connection — which allows them to remain close as they co-parent daughters, Maura, 15, and Bryn, 12, who both attend public schools in Summerlin. She now resides near Downtown Summerlin and is an avid daily runner who will take the heat of a Las Vegas summer over the bitter cold of a Chicago winter any day. She typically runs along the Summerlin streets, but will occasionally run on the trails, drop in at a local gym or partake in a bootcamp.
“Being so close to Downtown Summerlin is a plus for a mom of two teenage girls,” she said. “We frequent the Farmers Market, we dine at local restaurants, and shopping is our favorite pastime. There is no shortage of ways for the girls to spend my money,” said laughed.
A plethora of outdoor venues are some other Summerlin perks Dana and the girls appreciate. “Sagemont Park near our house is our new favorite Summerlin spot. In fact, we had a perfect view of the Fourth of July fireworks there.” And she cannot wait to get back to live music shows at Red Rock Resort and Aviators games at Las Vegas Ballpark.
A proud graduate of the Metro Chamber Leadership Las Vegas Class of 2011, Dana said the program taught her much about Las Vegas and deepened her connection to the city’s strong sense of community.
“I am so thankful that I chose the adventurous route in life. Summerlin is a wonderful place to run a business and raise a family.”
