Building Blue Panda: Lessons on Growth, Gratitude, and Grace

Introduction by Erika Hanafin:

This guest article is a remarkable testament to the power of resilience, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, and the courage to embrace transformation. Paula’s journey from a decorated career in clinical and forensic psychology to leading the innovative Blue Panda Office Spaces highlights how life’s most pivotal moments often lead us to unexpected yet fulfilling paths. Her reflections on community building, intentional balance, and celebrating small wins offer valuable lessons for women navigating the intersections of business, family, and personal growth. Enjoy!

Building Blue Panda: Lessons on Growth, Gratitude, and Grace

By: Paula Madrid

For many years, I’ve proudly identified as a clinical and forensic psychologist, specializing in trauma, evaluations, and public health disaster work. My career began with a major achievement: completing all the requirements for my doctoral degree at the age of 25. This marked the start of a professional journey that has brought both validation and a sense of purpose. Yet, starting so young wasn’t without its struggles. In those early days, I often felt the weight of insecurity. I still remember borrowing a pair of glasses from a friend, purely to make myself look older, on the day four new staff members—all between five and eighteen years my senior—were starting. I was terrified they wouldn’t take me seriously, so I did whatever I could to project confidence, even if it was just an illusion. Despite the early challenges, my work in this field has been rewarding. I've also enjoyed the intellectual fulfillment of publishing articles and a few book chapters as well as speaking at international conferences.

The nature of my work has taken me around the world, often in the wake of crisis and devastation. I’ve had the honor of developing and implementing programs to support individuals and communities post-disaster. Shortly after completing my doctorate, I became deeply involved in the response to the September 11 attacks, a pivotal moment that would shape the direction of my career. As a member of Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness and a fellow at Harvard's Program in Refugee Trauma, I’ve encountered countless situations that tested my skills and expanded my perspective.

Some of my most intense and memorable experiences include traveling to Haiti just 72 hours after the catastrophic earthquake to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment. The urgency and gravity of that mission were matched only by the resilience I witnessed among the people. Standing in the middle of that devastation, I felt both the weight of the responsibility and the humbling power of human strength. I’ve also played a role in other disaster relief efforts, such as the Flint, Michigan water crisis, tsunami recovery in India, and Hurricane Sandy response in New York and New Jersey. Through it all, my work has centered on fostering community resilience and supporting public health in moments of extraordinary challenge. Those experiences have shaped me not only as a professional but as a mother and a person.

Transitions

As I write this, I’m experiencing one of the biggest transitions of my life: gradually stepping away from psychology work to devote my full attention to my business, Blue Panda Office Spaces. After years of dabbling in design, real estate, and serving as a landlord to commercial tenants, I officially launched Blue Panda in mid-2021. Our first suite opened that December, and since then, the business has grown in ways I could never have anticipated. Fast forward almost four years, and we’re preparing to double our office space by adding two more floors by June 2025.

Managing and expanding Blue Panda has been both the most rewarding and the most challenging endeavor. Our spaces, located in beautiful Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, offer hourly, part-time, and full-time private office rentals. Additionally, our virtual office rental business has become a key component of our services, seeing consistent month-to-month growth. Balancing this professional venture with raising my beautiful, intelligent, and witty daughter has been a journey filled with learning, growth, and immense satisfaction. She has taught me the importance of stepping back from being a perfectionist workaholic. If left to my own devices, I could work for ten hours straight without ever looking up from my computer. However, being her mother has shown me the value of being present, laughing more, and embracing the moments that matter most.

Lessons from a Mompreneur

Connections and Lifelong Learning: I thrive on forming meaningful relationships and being open to learning. Attending meetings, asking questions, and surrounding myself with inspirational women have been invaluable. Being curious and continuously expanding my network has driven both personal and professional progress. One of the most memorable connections I’ve made was at a conference, where a casual conversation over coffee turned into a lasting partnership that’s still shaping Blue Panda. Additionally, reading books on business management, creating processes, time management, marketing, self-help, and even neurology has kept me feeling as though I’m constantly learning, just as I did during my doctoral studies.

Celebrate Wins and Practice Self-Compassion: Keeping a gratitude list that acknowledges both successes and missteps has been transformative. It's important to celebrate achievements, no matter how small, and to extend compassion to yourself when things don’t go as planned. I’ve learned to find a sense of awe and gratefulness each time I visit our office, even though I’ve scaled back to being there just twice a week. The simple act of pausing to take in the space we’ve built never fails to fill me with gratitude. I’m learning that being present for the small joys is just as important as celebrating the big wins. The journey has been far from perfect, with moments of doubt, confusion, and regret. But I’ve come to trust the process and work diligently to attract only what I truly desire.

Seek Expert Guidance, But Be Selective: The market is flooded with services that promise to simplify business scaling, management, and success. However, I’m careful about who I hire. For example, I thoroughly vet professionals before committing, whether it’s an HVAC company, a housekeeper, or a business consultant. Experience matters, and I invest in proven expertise rather than taking unnecessary risks with untested ideas. One of my hardest lessons was hiring someone too quickly, only to realize the mismatch after costly mistakes. Now, I’ve learned to trust my gut and take my time.

Redefine Success with Inspirational Resources: I recently read Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, a book that has profoundly influenced the way I operate Blue Panda. His ideas about creating extraordinary experiences are reshaping my approach to service and client relationships. I highly recommend this read to anyone in the service industry who wants to elevate their impact. One story from the book struck a chord with me and inspired a new tenant appreciation initiative that I started the very same day I read the chapter!

Balance Is Key, But It’s a Work in Progress: Achieving balance isn’t about perfect equality between work and personal life—it’s about being present and intentional in each area. I’ve learned to be kinder to myself, to set boundaries, and to prioritize what truly matters. This mindset not only improves my well-being but also enhances my ability to lead effectively. Some days, balance means spending an hour laughing and playing with my daughter, and other days, it’s a quiet cup of tea and a buttery croissant in a beautiful hotel lobby, one of my favorite activities! Reflecting on this journey, my hope is that by sharing my story, I can inspire fellow businesswomen to grow, learn, and thrive while caring for themselves. The road to success is paved with hard work, continuous learning, and the courage to pivot when necessary—all while staying true to what brings joy and fulfillment. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Thank you to Dr. Paula Madrid for sharing her MOMumental moments! Whether you’re building a business, rethinking your career path, or simply looking for a dose of inspiration, this article offers a wealth of wisdom. Paula’s story reminds us that success is not defined by perfection but by progress, resilience, and staying true to our values. Explore more about Blue Panda Office Spaces to see how her vision is creating spaces for innovation and growth—and consider how you might cultivate your own version of intentional success.

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