In this episode, I sit down with Kristin Hardwick, the Founder and CEO of CoHo, a thriving coworking space in Milford, New Hampshire. Kristin shares her journey from corporate life to photography, and eventually, the creation of CoHo—a coworking space that prioritizes community, connection, and the needs of small business owners and remote workers.

Tune in as Kristin breaks down her philosophy on creating a welcoming environment and the unique challenges of opening a coworking space right before the pandemic.

We talked about:

• How Kristin’s experience in photography and corporate life influenced her approach to building CoHo.

• The unexpected benefits of launching a coworking space in a smaller town.

• The importance of building personal connections with members to foster a thriving coworking community.

• How Kristin has adapted her space and operations to meet the post-pandemic demand for private offices.

• Marketing strategies that have worked for CoHo.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Kristin's LinkedIn profile

The Coworking House 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

 

In this episode, I sit down with Karen Tait, founder of The Residence Coworking in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire. Karen shares her inspiring journey from a career in investment banking to creating a high-end coworking space that caters to the needs of suburban professionals. With a vision for blending luxury with functionality, Karen has turned The Residence into a thriving hub for the local business community, providing more than just desks—it's a space that fosters connections, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. We talked about:

• How Karen transitioned from investment banking to launching The Residence Coworking
• The unique challenges and opportunities of building a high-end coworking space in the suburbs
• Why community and customer experience are crucial for coworking success
• How The Residence caters to the needs of suburban professionals and remote workers
• Insights from scaling up The Residence during and after the pandemic

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Karen's LinkedIn profile

The Residence 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

In this episode, I chat with Alison Rogers, the founder of Blush Cowork, a coworking space that combines professional workspace with onsite childcare services. Alison shares her journey from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship, addressing a gap for working parents. Her story highlights how Blush Cowork is reshaping the coworking landscape for families, especially for parents seeking a balance between professional life and parenting.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Alison’s background and what inspired her to create Blush Cowork.
• How coworking and childcare can coexist and support working parents.
• Challenges Alison faced in building a business that serves both professionals and parents.
• Effective strategies for creating flexible, sustainable childcare models.
• How Blush Cowork fosters entrepreneurship, with a special focus on supporting women.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Alison's LinkedIn profile

Blush Cowork 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

Q4 is right around the corner and on this episode, I share three ideas for Q4 goals that you can set to add profit to your business.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• 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

 

What does it take to leave a high-stakes career in investment banking and build a thriving coworking community in the suburbs? Mark Fornasiero, co-founder of ACE Coworking in Oakville, shares his unexpected journey from the trading floor to coworking.

Mark reveals how he and his wife, Nancy, went from dreaming about coworking spaces to opening two successful locations. They navigated the ups and downs of building in a suburban market, including surviving the challenges of COVID-19. 

In this episode, we cover:

• The pivotal decisions that led Mark from investment banking to coworking.
• Why picking the right location is everything—and how they found theirs.
• How ACE Coworking became a local favorite and attracted key partners like the Chamber of Commerce.
• The strategies Mark uses to keep ACE Coworking running smoothly and profitably.

Whether you’re looking to expand your coworking business or just getting started, Mark’s insights will help you think strategically and make the right moves.

Tune in to hear Mark’s real-life experiences and get practical tips you can use in your own coworking journey!

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

•  Mailbox Money Maker Challenge Waitlist
• Mark's LinkedIn profile

• ACE 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

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Mailbox Money Maker Challenge Waitlist
• Watch this on Youtube

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

On this episode, we're sharing some nuggets from our recent Community Manager University roundtable on 2024 Coworking Trends.

The group discussed the "hospitality" trend in coworking and shared a few simple ideas to integrate daily hospitality into your coworking space.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Mailbox Money Maker 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

 

While recurring memberships are the gold standard, the reality is that more and more users are seeking flexibility. In this episode, we explore how to adapt to this shift and capitalize on the opportunities it presents.

We talk about:

• The Rise of On-Demand Users: Understanding the increasing demand for flexible, on-demand coworking options and how to cater to this market segment.

• Types of On-Demand Products: An overview of popular on-demand offerings, including day passes, meeting room bookings, day offices, and punch cards, and how they can fit into your business model.

• Pricing Strategies: Tips on setting premium prices for on-demand services to ensure profitability while meeting user needs.

• Mindset Shift: Encouraging operators to embrace on-demand users and view them as a valuable revenue stream rather than a disruption to traditional membership models.

• Implementing On-Demand Services: Practical advice on how to integrate on-demand booking options into your website, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience for potential customers.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• https://www.mindspace.me/

• https://theyard.com/our-offer/

• https://nomadworks.com/

• https://www.wework.com/solutions

• Is Your Coworking Space Ready for Enterprise Clients? (episode with Phil Kirschner)

• Podcast episode on part-time private office memberships

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

 

A recent trip to the groomer got me thinking about balancing tech-enabled coworking purchases and onboarding with on-site customer service and hospitality. 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Live Masterclass: on August 15th: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

To Staff or Not to Staff. That is the question we explore in this episode.

Here’s what we dive into:

Staffed vs. Unstaffed Spaces: Why might an operator choose to run a space without staff? What are the trade-offs?

Real-Life Experiences: Hear about operators that successfully operate unstaffed spades.

Coffee Culture: Learn creative ways to manage coffee service in unstaffed coworking environments—because let’s face it, coffee is the lifeblood of productivity!

Hybrid Models: Explore how some coworking spaces are blending staffed and unstaffed models to maximize flexibility and efficiency for their members.

Decision-Making Tips: Get practical advice on choosing the right model for your coworking space based on target audience, location, budget, and long-term goals.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

AltSpace

Bishop Coworking

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