Interview With Alicia Navarro: The Journey From Living Room to $50 Million

Alicia is a dynamic force in the tech world, known for shaking up industries and transforming how people work. She is currently the founder and CEO of FLOWN, a virtual co-working platform designed to help remote workers and digital professionals stay focused, motivated, and connected.

With a deep passion for productivity and well-being, Alicia created FLOWN to address the challenges of isolation and distraction in the remote work environment. The platform combines virtual co-working, accountability techniques like body doubling, and structured deep work sessions to help individuals achieve their best work. Alicia’s innovative approach is redefining how we think about work, creating a space that fosters productivity, connection, and a healthier work-life balance in the modern digital age.

Before founding FLOWN, Alicia was best known for creating Skimlinks, which she founded in her Sydney living room and built into a $50 million a year business headquartered in London, with operations in San Francisco and New York. Her innovative approach and leadership helped the company grow into a global success, ultimately leading to its acquisition by Connexity in 2020.

Today Alicia is recognised for her expertise in technology, digital entrepreneurship, and her commitment to empowering others in the digital space.

 

Starting A Business From Scratch Is No Small Feat – How Did It All Start?

 

After I stepped down from my last startup, Skimlinks, I took a two year sabbatical. Running a startup for 11 years is gruelling work, not just in terms of work load, but also stress and the burden always being on your shoulders. I needed a break!

During my sabbatical, I spent my time reading extensively, exploring new ideas, and embracing a nomadic lifestyle. I soon realised that my most productive and most fulfilling days were those when I set aside dedicated, distraction-free time to focus deeply on a task. This sparked my curiosity about focus, deep work, and flow states, leading me to dive into research and hands-on experimentation.

I tested the concept by hosting three series of ‘deep work retreats,’ which I called FLOWN. These real-world experiments became the foundation for a digital platform, allowing me to take what worked, refine it and scale it through technology.

 

To People Who Say You Can’t Build A Business From Your Living Room; What Would You Say?

 

Work where you work best… so, whether it is your home, a co-working space or a cafe, find a place where you can focus and feel creative and just start! No one ever knows all the answers when they start, they just have sufficient confidence in themselves that they’ll work it out along the way.

 

What Is The Biggest Challenge Of Being An Entrepreneur In Modern Times?

 

That things are changing all the time. Building and selling something is challenging enough, but doing so in a landscape of shifting politics, advancing technology, economic fluctuations, emerging competitors, and new regulations adds another layer of complexity.

You have to stay ahead, not just by tackling the challenges you see but by anticipating those lurking around the corner. At the same time, you must find a way to maintain this level of always-on-ness without letting it consume your personal life or mental well-being.

How Does Virtual Co-Working Actually Work?

 

Virtual co-working is a way for remote workers, freelancers, and teams to stay productive by working together in an online environment. It replicates the experience of a physical co-working space by fostering accountability, focus, and social connection.

At FLOWN, we provide drop-in sessions 24/7 where users can join and leave at any time, working independently in the virtual presence of others, as well as facilitated sessions led by expert facilitators in which participants set and share their goals, work together, and connect with the community. The whole concept of virtual co-working is rooted in the science behind body doubling; that by working in the presence of others, users experience increased accountability and motivation.

Remote workers typically benefit from improved focus and productivity, accountability and motivation, a sense of community and connection and a better work life balance.

 

How Have People Taken To This Interesting Way Of Working?

 

Given the massive amounts of people who work remotely worldwide, virtual co-working has been a game-changer, and the response from our users has been amazing. People from all walks of life: freelancers, remote teams, and digital nomads have embraced it as a powerful way to stay focused, connected, and accountable.

For many, it’s like having a productivity hack in their back pocket. Virtual body doubling is a very effective tool against procrastination and instead of feeling isolated at home, people are now logging into FLOWN where they can set goals, find their focus, and feed off the collective energy of a like-minded community.

What’s equally exciting is how businesses are integrating virtual co-working into their daily operations. Teams that once struggled with remote collaboration are now thriving in structured sessions, using them to maintain momentum and keep each other accountable.

At first, some were skeptical. How could working on a Zoom call with strangers actually help? But once they experienced the magic of focused co-working, they haven’t looked back. Virtual co-working isn’t just a trend; I really believe it’s redefining how we work, connect, and get things done in the digital age.

 

What Do You Think The Future Of Work Actually Is?

 

While some larger businesses are pushing for a return to the office, often due to leadership struggles with remote work culture, for most organisations remote work, in some form or another, is here to stay. This offers more flexibility, greater autonomy and a better work-life balance but increases the potential for isolation and loneliness.

And so the future of work cannot just be about where we work, but how we stay connected, engaged, and fulfilled. Businesses that embrace technology to foster connection, prioritise mental well-being, and create spaces for social interaction will thrive in this new era of work.

Ultimately, the companies that succeed will be those that can balance autonomy with community, creating environments where workers can excel without feeling isolated.

 

What’s Next For You Over The Next 5 Years?

 

I have big plans for FLOWN. We’re on a mission to change how remote workers focus, create, and ultimately thrive. And so I want to expand our global footprint, making deep work accessible to millions more remote workers worldwide, as well as partnering with businesses and organisations to integrate virtual co-working into their corporate well-being and productivity initiatives.

I truly believe that businesses that give their people the tools they need to be their most productive selves and ones that can foster true connection and community, will win out in the end.

 

How Can We Find You?

 

“I’m on LinkedIn here and you can keep up to date with FLOWN via our website.”