It was 2005 when software developer Brad Neuberg envisioned coworking. For him, it was the ability to combine the freedom of working independently with the community of working with others. He launched what was to be the first ever coworking space inside a wellness center and invited anyone who was interested to join and encouraged anybody who was ambitious enough to take the idea and make it their own – a gesture born of the open-source roots he came from.
Before long, a global coworking community was born and it quickly gained popularity with freelancers, startups and more recently, corporations who needed an outlet for their remote teams. At its core, it was a way of combing two basic principles: first, the independence of working on your own projects, and second, the community of working with others in the same space. This is the principle that coworking was based on.
In today’s business environment where contracting, freelancing, and remote working is the norm, startups that opt for this type of working environment are giving their employees the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds.
So, now that we’re up to speed, let’s look at the five top reasons a coworking space is good for startups:
1. A coworking space allows startups to hit the ground running
Most startups consist of one or maybe two individuals. When you’re starting a company, having to invest in thousands of dollars on office equipment, office space, phone systems, and various administrative expenditures can easily break the budget. A coworking space supplies all the professional office equipment you can possibly imagine – and more.
2. A coworking space provides you with flexible office space that is both private, collaborative, and professional
Face it – working from home isn’t ideal. Nor is working from a coffee shop. Ever tried to have a Skype meeting with a customer from the local Starbucks? It’s not pretty. Nor is trying to focus on making a deal when you’ve got pets, children, neighbors, and spouses all vying for your time. Coworking means that you don’t have to work alone, but it will provide flexible and often more private solutions for those times when you do need to make an important call.
3. A coworking space is a stimulating atmosphere
Working alongside others, whether they are engaged in similar activities or not, is conducive to productivity. Much like coworking’s founder, Brad, many entrepreneurs thrive on feedback and energy, which coworking can provide.
4. Coworking is a great way to network
No matter how brilliant your product or service is, no startup can exist in a vacuum. Your coworking community is made up of entrepreneurs, contractors, and startups just like you, and many of your fellow coworkers might be able to either supply you with services you need, such as web development, graphic design, or copywriting. They might even want to hire you to help them or refer you to someone they know who could help you.
5. Coworking allows you to scale at your own rate
You might just be one person now, but if your startup takes off you’re going to be in search of more space, and fast! Coworking spaces give you the flexibility of adding more desks as you need them – and you only pay for what you need, helping you keep your budget nice and tidy.
Are you a startup in Annapolis? Consider coworking as a viable way of supporting your growth. Call My Annapolis Office today to learn more, or drop by for a tour.