THE COWORKING COMMUNITY
There is a common misconception swirling around in the coworking world right now, and I am here to set the record straight. A lot of people think that the only point of coworking is to one get out of the house and into a more professional work environment. While that is a driving factor for many small business owners, especially those who are juggling a new business and managing a household. There is another underrated factor: the aspect of a community. This is arguably the important perk of coworking, especially for those who are starting their own businesses. The opportunity to collaborate with more like-minded people is something that you just don’t get in a regular office. When everyone is constantly working on the same project for weeks on end, it doesn’t matter how creative you are, you always need a fresh set of eyes. It’s honestly amazing how many people we’ve introduced to each other in hopes of a simple friendship but ultimately turned into lifelong partnerships.
Collaboration to Creation
We’ve seen strangers turn into collaborators over mundane encounters like taking a break at the water cooler or being chance spark deskmates. For example, last year I had the pleasure of introducing two of our newer members Paulo Prudencio, and Leonardo Borba. Interestingly enough, both gentlemen grew up not far from each other in Brazil. With that being said, their professions could not have been more different. Paulo recently started a company called Student Magnet aimed at helping students become more involved in their studies. Whereas Leonardo owns a company called LB Flooring. Despite their differences, both gentlemen have now become fully immersed in each other’s companies. Paulo is teaching Leo everything there is to know about Student Magnet, and vice versa. And now, both of their businesses are thriving better than ever.
Now, this is just one instance where the power of coworking not only enacted incredible feedback but also earned both parties more money (and that’s what we want right). It’s been said that finding the right team will pay for itself in the long run, and it has for these two. All because they decided to step out of their comfort zones and into their coworking space!
Get Involved: Functional Fun
Another way to build and maintain your coworking community is to attend the events surrounding your office and organization. Most don’t think about the benefits of making an appearance during that after-work happy hour. However, If you are interested in growing your brand, you should know that the majority of networking events happen without you even knowing. Most coworking spaces primarily host events to get our members chatting with each other, the rest is up to you. We do our best to provide you with all of the tools you need to skyrocket your business by providing the venue, decor, and sometimes even refreshments. Your job is to drive it home by simply walking through the door. What some people don’t realize is that the people who are in attendance for these events are likely working on something very similar to what you are. Speaking specifically for FireWorks, we developed our brand explicitly for the creative entrepreneurs. It is likely that the office you decide to put roots down in has cultivated a very similar atmosphere geared towards their specific niche. This means that attending events that have been articulated by your community manager are unlike trying to network in a less professional setting, and can be crucial for success. These events have been individually cultivated with the thought of you growing your business in mind.
So we’ve covered the why and the how, all you need to know now is when. ANYTIME is the right time to amplify the relationship you have with your community. Growing your brand is all about persistence, and engagement. you must learn to get out of your comfort zone and begin pushing yourself to engage because any face time is astronomically beneficial for your business.
I will leave you with this piece of humble advice: stop holding out for what you think is your perfect client or ideal business partner. They are likely much closer than you would think, you just have to take the initiative in your community to find them.
Let us know how you build and maintain your coworking community on IInstagram, Facebook, and Twitter @FireWorksCoworking
