William Stokes moved from engineering in oil and gas into property, then used that shift to build something bigger. He started by converting commercial buildings into residential units before spotting a gap in the market for well-designed co-working spaces outside London.
That became Co-Space. Today, the business has three live locations, dozens more in the pipeline, and a clear bet on where work is heading next. As co-founder, William is building regional spaces around design, community, and the idea that ambitious people should not have to move to London to find the right environment to work and grow.
In this episode, we get into what makes a strong business partnership, why design matters more than many founders think, how to build with conviction outside the obvious hubs, and what regional growth can look like when the model is built properly from the start.
What we cover
1️⃣ Building outside London with a clear point of view
William shares what he saw in the market and why regional co-working made more sense than following the usual London-first path.
2️⃣ The business edge hidden in design and experience
Co-Space grew around the idea that people are drawn to spaces that feel better, work better, and reflect more care than the standard alternative.
3️⃣ Partnerships that strengthen the business
This part gets into working with someone whose strengths balance your weaknesses and why that matters more as the company grows.
4️⃣ Risk, expansion, and judging the next move properly
William talks through the kind of calculated risk-taking that matters in property and how to think about growth without losing control of the model.
5️⃣ Routines, output, and keeping perspective
The episode also gets into time management, sacrifice, leadership, and how to stay effective without losing sight of the bigger picture.
Chapters
00:00 William Stokes introduction
03:43 Engineering roots and shifting into property
05:46 Learning from WeWork’s boom and bust
07:57 How Co-Space stands out on design and service
09:58 Picking the right cities to launch in
12:00 Stevenage: the surprising anchor location
13:08 Expansion plans and future growth
15:04 Hustle meets luck: the startup formula
16:49 Building connections that open doors
18:29 Why your business partner matters
21:52 Hiring smart for early-stage growth
23:53 How self-education shaped his approach
25:38 Knowing when to zoom out
27:46 Empowering your team with initiative
29:45 Daily routines and rituals that work
31:54 Work-life balance in real terms
33:27 Time management for high output
34:51 ADHD as a business advantage
36:58 Empathetic leadership
39:26 Managing risk in property and beyond
41:59 The future of coworking and remote work
45:00 Myths of fast cash in property
47:54 Practical tips for new founders
50:44 Game-changing books
52:58 Life and business inspiration
54:53 The unseen sacrifices
56:35 What I’d tell a new entrepreneur
58:45 Thinking globally, acting locally
01:01:51 The UK’s business outlook
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