Wayo: The Remote Worker's Siesta
By Chris Gunderson, Tenant Heaven Co-Founder
Over the last few years, remote work has solved a lot of obvious problems. Commutes disappeared, flexibility increased, and for many people productivity went up. But over time, another reality set in. Days started to feel repetitive. Work became efficient but isolating.
Comfortable, but flat.
That is the gap Wayo Founder, Jason Malefakis is focused on.
From Blackstone to Building Something New
Jason spent more than seven years at Blackstone, working inside one of the most structured and performance driven environments in the world. When Covid hit and work shifted home overnight, he experienced what many others did. The flexibility was real, but something important was missing. The energy that comes from being around other driven people, and the quiet momentum that forms when work and connection exist in the same place.
Rather than trying to recreate a traditional office or launch another coworking company, Jason started thinking differently about where work happens. That thinking eventually became Wayo.
What is Wayo?
Wayo is best described as a siesta for remote workers. Not a vacation and not time off, but a reset from the sameness of working alone at home without sacrificing productivity. It breaks the rhythm of remote work in a way that feels intentional rather than disruptive.
A Day at Wayo: My Experience
A few weeks ago, I spent the entire day in the Upper West Side attending my first Wayo Community Workday, where Jason was present throughout the day. I was welcomed immediately, spent time seeing how everything was set up, and worked alongside a group of founders and professionals who were genuinely focused on building their next projects. Many were founders. Others worked at SaaS companies. Everyone was there to work first.
The experience itself felt effortless. All the infrastructure you would expect from traditional coworking was there. Dedicated Wi-Fi, charging hubs, and monitors if you need one. Comfortable seating and private areas to step away and take calls when necessary.
Nothing felt improvised or makeshift. It felt considered. The difference was the environment. This was not a sterile office or a glass box filled with desks. It was a hospitality-driven space with great food, natural energy, and a sense that people actually wanted to be there. The food was excellent, and it was part of the day rather than a distraction from it.
Connection Without Pressure
What stood out most was how natural the interactions felt. Wayo is not a networking event, and that distinction matters. There is no pressure to introduce yourself, no forced conversation, and no sense that anyone is there to extract value from the room. Some people wore name tags. Some did not. It was optional, and no one cared either way.
Because everyone is there to work, conversations happen organically. You might end up connecting with someone in your industry. You might meet someone in a space you are curious about entering. Or you might spend the entire day focused and leave without a single introduction and still feel like the day was a success.
That balance between focus and connection is what makes Wayo work.
The Model: Smarter Use of Existing Space
The model behind Wayo is intentionally flexible. It relies on traditional spaces that are typically underutilized during the day. Restaurants that do not serve lunch. Hospitality venues that sit empty until late afternoon. Instead of signing long term leases or forcing operators to change their identity, Wayo activates these spaces during hours they would otherwise be unused.
For restaurateurs and hospitality operators, this creates a meaningful source of residual income. It brings in a professional daytime audience without interfering with core operations or evening service. No buildouts. No rebranding. Just smarter use of existing space.
Accessible by Design
For the people attending Wayo, economics are just as important. There are no long contracts and no requirement to commit to a thousand-plus-dollar-a-month membership just to justify leaving the house. You can choose how often you want to attend. One day a month. Once a week. Or more frequently if it fits your schedule. It is price sensitive by design and significantly more accessible than traditional coworking.
Building Momentum
That flexibility is a big part of why demand is building quickly. Jason already has more than thirty additional Wayo host venues teed up and preparing to go live over the next few months, with more operators actively raising their hands to participate. Founders and remote professionals are looking for better places to work, and space owners are realizing their daytime hours can do more.
Not Trying to Replace Everything
Wayo is not trying to replace traditional offices, and it doesn't need to. Some teams still require permanence, control, and dedicated space. That will always exist.
But for a growing group of founders, operators, and remote professionals, Wayo offers something different. A way to break the monotony of remote work, enjoy great food, work in thoughtfully designed environments, and connect with others on their own terms.
Spreading Quietly
Like most things that genuinely work, Wayo is spreading quietly. People try it once. They come back. They bring others with them.
By the time it becomes obvious, the best Wayo rooms are usually already full.
If you are interested in trying Wayo, you can use my referral code “fgcb5e” for special access and discounted rates on future Wayo Community Workdays.
