Nearly 59 million Americans are currently part of the freelance workforce in the United States today. While that number includes a diverse group – solopreneurs, small businesses, and startups – it has meant one thing – rapid growth in the world of coworking spaces. Coworking spaces initially got their start in San Francisco in the early 2000s. By 2005, there were just ten of them across the notation. Nowadays, though, they’re in nearly every major metro area. In fact, the U.S. has more coworking spaces than any other country in the world. Let’s look into why coworking spaces could be right for you.
Understanding the Power of Coworking Spaces
There’s quite a bit of diversity in the individuals and companies who utilize coworking spaces. Once you understand the benefits, though, it’s not hard to see why so many people have hopped on this trend. Maybe one of the biggest benefits is that coworking helps to eliminate some of the big overhead costs so many companies face these days. Understanding the answer to the question “Why rent a coworking space” is fairly easy when you look at the numbers. Rent can be the biggest expense for many companies, and using a coworking space helps to control those costs. Whether you decide to spend quite a bit on a private office in a coworking space or you just use a hot desk, you’ll find budget-friendly prices that are flexible. Should you need to expand, you can choose to add additional space. If you need to scale back for some time, you can move back to a hot desk. In most cases, you don’t have to make long-term commitments to the space you’ve reserved.
One reason why coworking spaces could be right for you is that they typically come with all of the tools you need to build productivity. Most have printers, WiFi, and even phone answering services to help meet your needs. Some even come equipped with conference rooms that include projectors and more. Most importantly, all of the furniture is included in the fee you pay. While rent is one huge expense for many companies, equipment is another, and coworking means you don’t have to worry about the added expenses.
Coworking spaces also lend credibility to new companies. Attracting investors or clients isn’t easy when you don’t have a space, but by creating a home base in a coworking space, those you’re trying to impress will quickly see that you’re interested in the growth and health of your business.
One big benefit many who use coworking spaces cite is the fact that it increases productivity. Simply being around so many who are fighting every day to get their own ventures off the ground can be invigorating, but surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals has another real benefit too – it gives you the ability to network on a daily basis. You may connect with mentors or even potential clients over coffee or in the game room. Those around you may help spark the creativity needed to launch your next marketing campaign or product idea.
Coworking spaces mean a comfortable atmosphere designed to help you develop your company. You won’t find corporate cubicles here. Instead, you’ll find an emphasis on healthy living, sustainable energy, and other perks like dog-friendly office spaces, weekly massage sessions, and more.
Why Coworking Spaces Could Be Right for You
So, is coworking the right choice to meet your needs? These spaces are ideal if you’re a cost-conscious company with a need for flexibility. If you’re looking for networking opportunities and a creative spark, they put you in a perfect setting every day. Because so many other people are around you who spend time in the same spaces you do, you’ll easily meet others to whom you can relate. It might just help you find the ideal collaborator, too. Just having individuals around you who are focused and driven can help create the inspiration you need.
While coworking spaces aren’t perfect in every setting, they do offer some real benefits. Take a closer look at our spaces today.