Coworking Reviewed by the Wall Street Journal’s Cranky Consumer
The Wall Street Journal’s ‘Cranky Consumer’ recently gave coworking try sharing their experience in a great article.
As sited in the article there are over 9 million self-employed individuals and 33.7 million telecommuters working in the U.S. today.
As we’ve noted since launching our first Office Space Coworking location in Akron…the dynamics of the independent/ mobile work force are driving more and more freelancers, entrepreneurs, & telecommuters to seek alternatives to working out of their home or out of the coffee shop.
We’re seeing more mentions of coworking in the mainstream media lately….from Entreprenuer Magazine, NPR, & now the Wall Street Journal, it appears we’ve really hit on a growing trend. Hey we even were lucky enough to be interviewed by WKYC.
It’s exciting to see this increased exposure. But let’s not forget New York, Seattle, Chicago, LA aren’t the only areas able to support a thriving coworking community.
Office Space Coworking, Northeast Ohio’s first coworking facility just opened the doors on our 2nd location. Now small business owners, freelancers & telecommuters in Akron and Cuyahoga Falls can tap into all the benefits the coworking community has to offer.
So if you know someone launching their business or someone who’s looking to escape the isolation from working out of their home, please help us spread the word. We’d love to have them join us.
Nice Piece from NPR on Coworking
Congratulations to Tony Bacigalupo & New Work City on their recent interview on NPR.
It’s a great piece highlighting the pros (& cons) of coworking and noting the growth of the movement and the trend of shared office space.
Tony’s quoted:
“I think we’ll be seeing in this century, we’re going to be moving away from the idea of a centralized Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 workplace, and we’ll be moving much more in this direction. People will work when they want where they want.”
Some of the pros called out in the piece include:
Pro: Flexible Work Hours
For people who dislike the 9-to-5 shift, coworking facilities offer the benefits of an office without the rigid schedule.
Pro: Collaboration And Networking
One of the cons of working from home is often the solitude. Coworking allows people to share ideas across industries as well as create new contacts.
Pro: Productivity
Coworking curbs more alluring activities like shopping, watching TV and napping, which are tempting when home alone.
To listen to the full interview or to read the article visit NPR Web site – Coworking Offers Community to Solo Workers.
See? I knew it! Coworking is going mainstream…
Susan Evans, co-founder of Office Nomads in Seattle, was just featured in a nice, splashy piece on the merits of coworking in this month’s Entrepreneur Magazine. The article focuses on coworking’s rapid growth both internationally (and in your backyard).
Susan was actually the first person I ever spoke with about coworking. In fact, I interviewed her a little while ago for another Web site I was running some time ago. The concept and her energy & excitement so inspired me I decided to take a whack at launching a coworking facility right here in Akron, Ohio.
Now we’re working on our second facility – Office Space Coworking: Cuyahoga Falls. And let’s just say the concept not only works well in Seattle, San Francisco and New York — but even in our little neck of the woods.
Tony Bacigalupo, of New Work City got a nice mention but didn’t see any mention of Alex Hillman of IndyHall in Philly. Another national leader in the coworking concept.
Anyway it’s a great article. Espousing the merits of being ‘Solo, But Not Alone’. And I’m always excited to see the coworking movement get some props in the national media.
Special thanks to Blake Urmos for bringing this article to my attention, ’cause I completely missed it.
Coworking vs. the Coffee Shop: Who Wins? from Business Pundit
Coworking vs. Coffee Shop
Just read great article from Business Pundit.
Love the reasoning for why a coworking is better than a coffee shop:
Consider the average coffee shop, where:
-A cafe latte sets you back $3-$4. You feel guilty if you sit around without purchasing a new one, making an average day of work there cost around $12, excluding yummy baked goods.
-You may or may not end up next to really loud, gossipy people.
-You feel like a ham if you are the only one with a laptop.
-The seats are often uncomfortable.
-You can’t talk on your cell phone inside. Well, I don’t. Plenty of people do. I consider it rude.
-You are obligated to look somewhat hip.
Coworking, on the other hand, allows you a range of cafe-like benefits, without the cafe:
-You pay a flat membership fee instead of a daily fee.
-Everyone has a laptop!
-You get the chance to collaborate with your peers.
-The seats are probably more comfortable.
-Cell phone use is more acceptable–it is a workspace.
-The hip factor may not be a factor, although I am not sure about this point.
Office Space Coworking Helps Small Business
It was early – like very, very early — but Staci Shelton, Dawn Mitchell and myself managed to show up bright and bushy tailed for an interview on WKYC’s morning show.
Heidi, my wife, also joined us along with our resident copy writer, Tom Crane of Aviary Creative.
It was a GREAT experience and we’re extremely thankful to WKYC for taking interest in our little enterprise enough to speak with us on air.
It was fascinating to see the behind the scenes machinations it takes to put together the daily broadcasts.
Mark Nolan, Abby Ham, & Hollie Strano – we’re all just extremely cool and very gracious. They – and their entire team – were hoping back and forth and there was whirlwind of activity. But they put it all together in a way that was effortless. It was amazing and I know I’ll forever look at our local news broadcasts with a new appreciation for all the talent and hard work that goes into it.
That said – we had a great interview with Mark Nolan.
So – thanks to Mark and Staci and Dawn – and everyone involved for helping to make this happen.
Professionals find a haven for projects, networking
Dawn & Staci Interviewed at Office Space Coworking
SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO GET AWAY FROM HOME, SWEET HOME
Two of our members were recently intereviewed by Paula Schleis of the Beacon Journal.
Dawn Mitchell & Staci Shelton have both been working out of their homes for some time now. Staci found us first through some social networking on Facebook and then Dawn joined shortly after.
It’s been wonderful having them join Office Space Coworking. Both have a wonderful energy and have been extremely, hyper-supportive of the business – and me personally – since we first met.
What started out as an article focusing on ‘tips for working at home’ turned into two articles with great placement in Monday’s business section of the Beacon Journal.
Dawn & Staci we’re slippling in plugs for OSC left and right — so much so I’m sure I owe them endorsement fees of some kind.
Well long story short both articles are available online at Ohio.com
If you’re interested in reading them – check them out here:
Professionals find a haven for projects, networking
Tips for home-based workers from two professionals
Fourteen Future Trends for Business in 2009 and Beyond
Coworking was recently recognized as a coming trend by the DaVinci institute.
“Colonies will form around shared resources. Equipment that is too expensive for one person to own will be owned by the colony for all to share. Colonies will vary in size and structure as communities begin
to experiment with the essential ingredients needed to make it successful.”
In a tangential mention it also recognizes the The Coming “Empire of One.”
Where -
“With financial markets being pinched, the most popular form of startup will the Empire of One, one-person businesses with far reaching influence. Technology is driving a trend of placing unprecedented power and capability into the hands of the individual.”
Homeless Entrepreneur Shares Office with Millionaire
Just found this great article from Fast Company, Homeless Entrepreneur Shares Office With Millionaire, posted earlier this year.
This story highlights the story of a serial entrepreneur / venture capitalist who uses his local coworking space, BlankSpaces, as his base of operations and a recently independent entrepreneur who had idea and just needed the investment to launch it.
This story’s great as it highlights the type of connections that can be made with like minded individuals working out of the same office facility. They started talking and decided to work together on the project.
Collaboration is definitely KING.
I also have to point out I love BlankSpaces’ marketing approach – they clearly have some EXCELLENT commercials post on their site that really capture the spirit of coworking.
The Impact of the Recession on Coworking
Nice Article from Small Business Labs:
The Impact of the Recession on Coworking
We’re finding continued interest from people requiring a professional work environment – that’s cost effective and puts the right foot forward for a small business owner establishing themselves in the community.
In previous recessions small business formation increased. And today it is much cheaper and easier to start a small businesses or become an independent worker, contractor or consultant than it was in the past.
I couldn’t agree more. And as we see these businesses form…we’re finding we fill a very specific need for these new entrepreneurs.
Our members are looking for non-traditional use of traditional office space. They want a base they can come in and connect with peers, meet with clients etc — but they want to do it on THEIR terms and THEIR time line.
Basically the theme we’re hearing…
I want to work when I want. Where I want. How I want.
I want to the freedom to work at home but I don’t want to be trapped there either.
Coworking Featured on MSNBC
Ohhh man am I jealous – but the piece is so darn good and really good promotion for the coworking concept so I gotta give ‘mad props’ where they are due.
That said we certainly have to celebrate that Akron is at the forefront of such a progressive movement.
It’s a great piece and congratulations to Conjunctured in TX for this great coverage!
See the video below…
