If you’re launching a coworking space and feel like you’re doing everything out of order, welcome to the club. In this episode, I share the “chicken or egg” paradox of starting a space. That messy, exhilarating, and sometimes disorienting phase where you’re working on your vision, talking to brokers, crunching numbers, and trying to figure out what comes first.

Whether you’re just getting started or expanding, you’ll hear why feeling uncertain is actually a sign you’re on the right track, and what you do need in place before committing to a lease.

What we cover:

• Why the early stages of launching a coworking space will always feel messy, and why that’s normal.

• The essential pieces to have in place before you start looking for space.

• How to work with brokers who understand the coworking model.

• Balancing your vision, budget, and capital with your ideal product mix.

• The role of due diligence, test fits, and realistic build-out estimates in avoiding costly mistakes.

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

Your sales funnel can only work if you know where your leads are coming from — and how to make the most of each source.

But for many operators, coworking marketplaces, lead gen partners, and even Google Business Profiles feel like a confusing alphabet soup of options. In this episode, I break down the four core lead source categories, demystify the biggest marketplace players, and help you prioritize what’s worth your time (and what isn’t).

We cover:

• The four main types of coworking lead sources: organic traffic, member referrals, brokers, and marketplaces

• What platforms like Deskpass, LiquidSpace, Gable, and Peerspace actually do — and who they’re best for

• Why your Google Business Profile may be your most valuable (and underutilized) lead source

• The truth about Flexspace.ai, how it works, and how it’s not a lead gen platform

• How to track your lead sources effectively and decide which platforms deserve your attention

If you’ve ever wondered whether marketplaces are worth it or how to build a lead strategy that actually converts — this episode is your roadmap.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Syncaroo

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

You’ve nailed your location. Your marketing’s dialed in. But if your leads aren’t turning into members… there’s a good chance your speed to lead is the culprit.

In this episode, Jamie breaks down why fast lead response is more than a “nice to have”; it’s one of the biggest drivers of sales success (or failure) in your coworking business. And it’s one of the easiest things to improve without adding headcount.

We cover:

• Why slow response time might be quietly killing your conversion rate — even if you’re getting leads.

• How to optimize lead response without hiring a full-time salesperson.

• Practical tools (like AI chatbots and SMS automation) to bridge the gap.

• Why phone and text should beat email every time when responding to inquiries.

• How to help your team prioritize lead response, even if they wear all the hats.

If you’ve ever wondered why your sales funnel feels leaky, this episode will help you plug the holes — and close more deals.

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

In this episode, I talk with Leslie Bailey, founder and CEO of Indy Maven and the powerhouse behind Maven Space, a coworking space that was as bold and layered as Leslie herself.

Leslie never set out to run a coworking space. What began as a media company and newsletter for women in Indianapolis quickly snowballed into a full-on community, and eventually a physical space with coworking, a cafe, a gym, an event venue, and yes, cauliflower soup that apparently had a fan club.

We talk about:

• How Leslie went from lifestyle editor to community builder and coworking operator, almost by accident.

• The business model behind Maven Space: combining coworking, hospitality, events, and sponsorships into one seamless experience.

• What worked (and didn’t) in her 15,000 sq ft downtown space, and what she planned to change in her next location.

• How she used sponsorships and her media background to unlock non-traditional coworking revenue streams.

• Why her digital membership community is still going strong, and what the future looks like post-coworking.

Whether you’re dreaming about layering more revenue streams into your coworking business or wondering how to build community with or without a physical space, this one’s packed with takeaways you can use.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Leslie's LinkedIn profile

Indy Maven website

Leslie Bailey’s personal website

Leslie’s 10 Lessons Learned article

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

Ever wonder what it’s like to build a coworking space outside the U.S. from scratch, in another language, with a whole new playbook?

Joel Ballew is the Chief People Officer at Coventus Space in Barranquilla, Colombia, and he’s not your average operator. He moved his family from Georgia to Colombia, sold his dream business, learned Spanish from the ground up, and launched what is now the largest privately held coworking space in a city of nearly 2 million people.

In this episode, Joel shares the highs, the lows, and the “wait, you did what?” moments of creating a thriving, purpose-driven business in an emerging market.

We talk about:

• The cultural and operational curveballs of launching a coworking space in Colombia—including why recurring payments aren’t really a thing.

• How Joel built lead volume through WhatsApp, Instagram, and literal flyers on car windshields (and why it's working).

• What it takes to educate a market on coworking while creating a strong local brand.

• How his space combines private offices, day passes, event rentals, and even a coffee shop run by a third party.

• Why doing good while doing well isn’t just a tagline—it’s a business model that fuels impact and sustainability.

Whether you're a seasoned operator or dreaming of launching in a new market, this conversation is a masterclass in adapting, listening to your audience, and building community on your own terms.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Joel's LinkedIn profile

Coventus Space website

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

How Kim Lee Turned Virtual Mail into a High-Value Revenue Stream

Kim Lee has been in the coworking game since 2017—and she’s one of those operators who’s truly in it. From understanding her numbers to tweaking her team structure to building out a profitable mail program, Kim brings equal parts heart and hustle to the table.

In this episode, Kim walks us through her journey with virtual mail—from opening with it in place, to running the numbers year after year to make sure it still makes sense (spoiler: it does). She now has over 200 virtual mail clients, including some premium customers that contribute thousands per month.

Kim is also one of our coaches in the Mailbox Moneymaker Challenge, and she shares why even seasoned operators can find big wins by putting focus on their mail program.

What we cover:

• Why Kim almost didn’t add a second mail platform—and how it paid off

• The tweaks that helped her team cut mail processing time in half

• The customer who brought in 40+ pieces of mail a day—and how they handled it

• How to keep your team from burning out on details (hint: structure matters)

• Why virtual mail is one of the most scalable revenue streams for coworking spaces

• Her secret to tracking ROI and knowing when to pivot on event space vs. office conversions

• What changed when she added IPostal—and why that was the right move

Thinking about launching or optimizing your virtual mail program? Kim’s story is the perfect combo of honest insight, operator-tested tips, and encouragement to just get started.

And if you're ready to finally put this on your “done” list, join us for the Mailbox Moneymaker Challenge. Registration closes Friday, June 13th.

👉 www.mailboxchallenge.co

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

MoneyMaker Mailbox Challenge

Kim's LinkedIn profile

Forge website

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

Christine Tosi didn’t just open a coworking space—she invented one out of necessity. What started as a creative way to use extra space in a building she and her husband David bought for their first business has grown into a full-on coworking success story in Tucson, Arizona. Now, they’re gearing up to open a second location—this time under a management agreement—with a pipeline full of mail clients, a waitlist for dedicated desks, and a family-run team that includes their college-aged daughter (and some pretty savvy Canva support from their son).

In this episode, Christine shares how she turned her virtual mailbox business into a revenue stream that’s bringing in up to $195/month per customer—with no paid marketing. Plus, how a landlord partnership that was almost too good to be true opened the door (literally) to their second location.

What we cover:

• Why Christine and David traded snow shovels in Wisconsin for solar glare in Tucson

• How a side business turned into a full-time coworking brand

• The landing page tweaks that took their virtual mail business from 0 to 50+ customers

• How they got 10 members at $195/month… and hardly ever see them 👀

• The “mail-only” customer bundle that actually works (and the perks they threw in)

• A referral partner that sent them 50 clients—yes, 5-0

• Their new management agreement deal: what the landlord’s handling, and how Christine negotiated it

• Why their team structure (and travel goals!) made hiring early a smart move

• How a family of introverts built Tucson’s friendliest coworking community

Plus: 9 HVAC units, Duolingo-induced competitiveness, and how Christine wins massage swaps through creative bartering. You’re going to love this one.

🚨 Heads-up: Mailbox Moneymaker Challenge registration closes Friday, June 13th. If Christine’s story got your wheels turning, this is your nudge to get in there before doors close.

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to grow your own virtual mail revenue—and maybe snag a massage along the way.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Register for the Mailbox Moneymaker Challenge

Christine's LinkedIn profile

Spoke Coworking website

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

Summer is here—and while the kids are out of school, your pipeline might be slowing down too. But don’t worry, I’ve got three ideas to help you bring in extra revenue during the slower months, and even build momentum heading into fall.

Whether you’ve got open offices sitting empty, a virtual mail program that’s been collecting dust, or phone booths that aren’t pulling their weight, I walk you through how to turn these underused assets into revenue-generating machines. I also share some creative packaging and pricing ideas and how to test new concepts without getting stuck in analysis paralysis.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why now is the perfect time to start—or focus on—your virtual mail program

• How to turn an unused office into a styled-up part-time rental for parents and travelers

• A clever way to monetize your phone booths (yes, really)

• How to sublet your members’ offices while they’re out of town—win-win

• The importance of clearly communicating your phone call setup to prospective members

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Register for The Mailbox Moneymaker Challenge

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

Craig Baute is a familiar name in the coworking world—and he’s got a big update.

After 13 years of running Creative Density, he made the leap and merged his coworking brand with Thrive, another local Denver operator. In this super candid chat, Craig dishes on what led him to walk away from day-to-day operations, what the structure looks like now, and why he’s finally embracing weekly meetings.

Whether you’ve hit the scale ceiling or you’re just wondering what it looks like to not be the boss anymore, this episode is a must-listen.

What we get into:

• Life with two kids, four coworking locations, and one burnt-out founder

• Why losing a trusted team member forced Craig to rethink everything

• The call that changed it all: how a casual “Let’s do lunch” turned into a merger

• The power of middle management (yes, it’s a thing in coworking now)

• Thrive’s operating structure and how Craig fits in post-merger

• The mental shift from “owner” to “team member” — and how that changes everything

• Why most spaces stall at 2–3 locations and how combining forces helps you scale

• 68 fake plants, a $6,500 coffee machine, and why Switchyards has everyone’s attention

Thinking about selling? Merging? Scaling beyond your comfort zone? This episode might be the nudge (or reality check) you need.

Bonus: Yes, Craig and Jamie share a birthday. Yes, that makes this episode extra fun.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Get on the Waitlist For The Mailbox Money Maker Challenge

Craig's LinkedIn profile

Creative Density website

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

If you're still asking people to "fill out a form" to book a meeting room—this episode is for you.

I’m joined by Miro Miroslavov, CEO and co-founder of OfficeRnD, to talk about why e-commerce is no longer optional for coworking spaces, and how their new Growth Hub is making it easier than ever to meet customer expectations—and convert website visitors into paying members.

We cover how consumer expectations have shifted, why friction kills revenue, and how the most successful operators are rethinking their websites and booking flows for today’s demand.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why meeting room bookings, day passes, and even small offices need to be available for instant online purchase.

• The two user personas your coworking website must serve—and how to optimize for both.

• Why booking friction is leaving money on the table, and how to reduce it.

• How OfficeRnD’s Growth Hub helps operators capture and convert demand in a competitive market.

• What’s changing in demand gen as users move from Google to AI-powered search—and how to stay visible.

Miro also shares how operators are already using the Growth Hub to boost bookings and better measure ROI, and what features (like dynamic pricing and deeper CRM integration) are coming next.

If your goals include better marketing performance, more bookings, and a more profitable bottom line—you don’t want to miss this conversation.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Miro's LinkedIn profile

OfficeRnD website

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube