Building Community-Focused Coworking Spaces in Small Towns with Brandon Houston

In this episode of the This Week In Coworking podcast, host Hector Kolonas chats with Brandon Houston, the driving force behind Collingwood Foundry.

Brandon shares his journey from starting a coworking space in Chatham to shaping a vibrant community in Collingwood, Ontario.

Get more details and links in the official show notes at TWIC.co/smalltowns

Discover the unique challenges and opportunities of operating a coworking space in a small town, and learn about innovative strategies for building strong communal ties, leveraging local partnerships, and automating operations to maintain a personal touch.

Whether you're a coworking space operator or someone interested in community building, Brandon's insights offer valuable lessons on fostering authentic connections in rural environments.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:40 Brandon's Coworking Journey

01:57 Why Collingwood?

03:03 Collingwood's Community and Evolution

04:38 Key Takeaways from Coworking Canada Talk

05:44 Building Connections at Collingwood Foundry

08:25 Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Coworking

09:16 Revenue Opportunities in Rural Coworking

11:56 Automation and Technology in Coworking

16:05 Balancing Full-Time and Drop-In Members

20:27 Advice for Aspiring Coworking Space Owners

25:09 Conclusion and Contact Information