Weekly Coworking Recap: Acoustic Lounges, BubbaDesk & AI with Freddie Fforde from Patch

See this week's full newsletter at https://thisweekincoworking.com/week-09-2025/In this episode of the This Weekend Coworking recap show, Hector Kolonas is joined by guest co-host Freddie who discusses his experiences and insights on various coworking trends and innovations.

The conversation covers topics such as ROOM's new acoustic lounge furniture, the growing trend of combining coworking with childcare services exemplified by BubbaDesk in Australia, and the successful strategies adopted by coworking brands like Maven and Cloudworks.

The episode also touches on the role of AI in coworking spaces and the evolving relationship between coworking operators and landlords.

Tune in for an in-depth look at the latest developments in the coworking industry.

Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:18 Special Guest: Freddy from Patch00:51 Sponsor Spotlight: ROOM's Showroom01:04 Discussion on Acoustic Spaces03:37 Coworking and Childcare: BubbaDesk08:07 Maven's Pre-Sale Strategy11:14 Cloudworks' Growth and Market Maturity16:10 Industrious and Management Agreements19:47 AI in Coworking24:23 Conclusion and Farewell

Evolving Workspaces: Hospitality and Innovation in the Co-Working IndustryIn this episode of 'This Week in Coworking Weekly Recap,' host Mike LaRosa is joined by guest co-host Amina Marou, founder, and CEO of Radius. With regular host Hector Colonis on vacation, Mike and Amina discuss the growth and innovation in the coworking industry, focusing on the collision between hospitality and traditional vs. flexible workspaces. They highlight key announcements, including new coworking spaces in Europe and beyond, and delve into the legal and insurance complexities for non-traditional workspaces. Amina shares Radius's approach to creating private meeting spaces in residential properties, emphasizing unique experiences and privacy. The episode also covers recent trends, enterprise demands, and the evolving needs of diverse workforces. The conversation concludes with an interesting job posting by the British Royal Crown seeking a director for their flex workspace portfolio.00:00 Introduction and Guest Co-Host Announcement01:13 Amina Marou Introduces Radius03:36 Exploring Unique Coworking Spaces04:56 Coworking Market Moves and Expansions07:19 Global Trends in Remote and Hybrid Work11:56 Legal Tips for Coworking Spaces19:26 The Collision of Hospitality and Flex Workspaces30:39 Royal British Family Enters Flex Workspace Market31:08 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, Hector welcomes Rafi Sands from Tandem, a company innovating in the flexible office space market. Rafi discusses Tandem's origins, its unique position in the FlexSpace industry, and its recent shift from fractional offices to offering flexible, short-term lease arrangements. Rafi emphasizes how Tandem differentiates itself from traditional coworking platforms by targeting well-funded, growing companies seeking flexible office spaces. He also explains Tandem's business model, which includes the use of AI to enhance customer experience and streamline leasing processes. The episode also delves into Tandem's recent $6.1 million funding round and future plans focused on advancing their tech infrastructure.

00:00 Introduction

01:08 Tandem's Origin and Concept of Fractional Offices

02:01 Expansion Beyond Fractional Offices

02:16 Tandem's Position in the FlexSpace Industry

03:35 The Stanford Connection and Early Data Insights

04:58 How Tandem Works Today

09:37 Business Model and Revenue Streams

19:02 AI and Technology in Office Leasing

22:49 Y Combinator Experience and Market Insights

26:55 Recent Funding and Future Plans

28:41 Conclusion and Contact Information

Join us as we delve into week seven's coworking recap with special guest Ben Wright from The Instant Group. Hosts Hector and Mike discuss the latest developments in coworking, including the exciting changes at The Instant Group, dynamic pricing strategies in the flexible workspace industry, and how online commerce trends are influencing physical coworking spaces. Ben shares insights on Instant Group's new initiatives, investments, and upcoming marketplace features. Plus, we explore the evolving relationship between digitally native companies and physical office spaces, touching on the potential for coworking spaces to incorporate retail elements. Don't miss this engaging discussion and submit your questions for our upcoming deep-dive session with Ben!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:18 Meet the Guest Co-Host: Ben Wright

00:56 Sponsorship and Instant Group Updates

05:10 Dynamic Pricing in Coworking

07:01 E-commerce and Coworking Synergy

12:35 Future Trends in Office Space

18:36 Retail and Coworking Convergence

30:02 Adaptive Reuse and Office Market Trends

31:27 Conclusion and Farewell

In this interview episode of the This Week in Coworking Podcast, Hector Kolonas chats with Flip Howard, a veteran in the coworking industry who is owner of Lucid Private Offices. The conversation spans Flip's almost quarter century long journey, beginning with acquiring Meridian Business Centers in 2001, through several rebrands, and evolving business models. Flip shares insights into the industry's past and future, from fax machines and T1 internet lines to virtual offices and hybrid memberships. He discusses Lucid's strategic shift to emphasize private offices, maintaining a customer-centric approach, and their resistance to management agreements in favor of traditional leases. The discussion also delves into operational philosophies, like treating team members well and focusing on unit economics for business longevity. The episode concludes with thoughts on the future of coworking, touching on e-commerce integration and the importance of maintaining a balance between personal and professional lives.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:51 Flip Howard's Journey into Coworking

01:37 Evolution of Office Space and Services

03:34 Rebranding to Lucid Private Offices

04:15 Current Offerings and Demographics

06:05 Changes in Business Models and Revenue Streams

10:07 The Importance of Physical Office Space

15:46 Team Dynamics and Employee Retention

18:01 Employer-Employee Relationship Dynamics

18:26 Leadership Style and Employee Satisfaction

20:17 Lucid's Business Model and Leasing Strategy

21:43 Management Agreements vs. Leases

24:42 Expansion Plans and New Markets

25:42 Technological Shifts in Coworking

26:56 Virtual Offices and New Product Trends

28:26 Core Principles and Company Rebranding

30:50 Advice for Building a Lasting Business

33:18 Final Thoughts and Personal Insights

In this jam-packed episode of 'This Week in Coworking,' hosts Mike and Hector delve into rich market data from the U.S., U.K., and Ireland, provided by Coworking Cafe. They discuss the surprising rise of Washington, D.C., in the number of coworking spaces, steady pricing trends despite increased supply, and sector-specific expansions. The episode also explores WeWork India’s IPO and its implications for the coworking industry. Additionally, they highlight interesting nonprofit initiatives offering discounted or free coworking spaces and make a case for enhanced Wi-Fi security in coworking environments. The episode is filled with insights, industry updates, and practical advice for coworking operators and members alike.

Welcome back to the This Week in Coworking podcast! 

In this episode, we dive into some of the news and updates affecting coworking spaces worldwide that were shared in this week’s newsletter.

From AI advancements transforming business processes to exciting new coworking spaces opening in London and Berlin, we cover it all. 

Discover LiquidSpace's new AI-powered Team Connect feature, explore Nexudus’ update, and see a range of ways that coworking spaces and practitioners are utilizing AI for predictive analysis and customer engagement. 

Hector and Mike also discuss IKEA's extended foray into coworking, along with the importance of SEO and authentic website content. 

Join us for insightful discussions and innovative trends shaping the coworking industry!

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to This Week in Coworking

00:56 Diving into AI and Business Processes

01:49 Tech Updates and AI Applications

04:08 The Future of AI in Coworking

09:44 Global Brands Entering Coworking

14:04 Innovative Coworking Websites

16:29 SEO and AI Strategies for Coworking

20:59 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

In this recap episode of 'This Week in Coworking,' the hosts discuss various advancements and trends in the coworking industry with special co-host Sophia Stolberg from PilotoMail.

Explore this week's full newsletter here: https://thisweekincoworking.com/week-04-2025/

They delve into PilotoMail's new CRD Chrome extension that streamlines manual data entry for coworking space operators, saving significant time and ensuring data security.

The episode also covers the evolution from Software as a Service (SaaS) to outcomes as a service, emphasizing the importance of delivering measurable benefits to clients beyond just features.

Additionally, the hosts explore the burgeoning trend of coworking franchising, highlighting its potential to de-risk business expansion and bring new entrants into the industry effortlessly.

They also touch upon creative marketing strategies and community-building initiatives that coworking spaces can adopt to attract and retain members.

The episode concludes with a note on the industry's solidarity and contributions towards social causes, emphasizing the community-centered ethos of coworking spaces.

Chapters:

Navigating Coworking Careers: Insights from Industry Leaders

In this episode of the This Week in Coworking podcast, we bring together four industry experts—Carly Bedini (iQ Offices), Sam Shea (Future Leaders of Coworking), Chiko Abengowe (Perfect Office), and Stormy McBride (GCUC) — to discuss the evolving landscape of coworking careers.

The roundtable discussion delves into the benefits of investing in coworking careers, the industry's maturity, and how operators can attract and retain top talent.

Despite technical difficulties with the host's microphone, the episode is packed with valuable insights on fostering employee growth, implementing incentives, and the importance of networking and mentorship.

Tune in to learn more about the future of coworking careers and how to navigate this dynamic industry.

Links in the show notes:

Chapters:

00:00 Addressing some Technical Issues00:51 Meet the Panelists02:20 The Appeal of Coworking Careers06:30 Improving Coworking Jobs12:35 Career Mobility in Coworking19:25 Building a Coworking Community21:47 Incentives and Rewards at Perfect Office24:26 Supporting Coworking Teams27:20 Career Advice for Coworking Professionals30:09 Conclusion and Thanks

In this episode of the This Week in Coworking podcast, hosts Hector Kolonas and Mike LaRosa discuss two major coworking sector mergers. 

The first merger is CBRE's acquisition of Industrious, valuing it at $800 million and forming a new business unit within CBRE. 

The second is Yardi’s acquisition of Deskpass and Hubble, with an eye on creating a cohesive global coworking network. 

The episode also introduces FLOC, a new peer support network for mid-career coworking professionals, aiming to facilitate career growth within the industry. 

Additionally, upcoming deep dive studies from 'Undercurrents' are previewed, focusing on e-commerce, AI, and revenue stacks.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:23 Mega Mergers in Coworking

02:41 CBRE's Acquisition of Industrious

10:39 Yardi's Acquisition of DeskPass and Hubble

18:10 Introduction to FLOC: Future Leaders of Coworking

23:40 Undercurrents and Upcoming Topics

24:26 Conclusion and Farewell