{"id":841,"date":"2017-06-20T08:38:07","date_gmt":"2017-06-20T14:38:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/?page_id=841"},"modified":"2018-04-10T09:54:43","modified_gmt":"2018-04-10T13:54:43","slug":"how-to-start-a-coworking-space","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/how-to-start-a-coworking-space\/","title":{"rendered":"How to start a coworking space"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"dslc-theme-content\"><div id=\"dslc-theme-content-inner\"><p>So, you\u2019re thinking of starting a coworking space. I\u2019m glad you are, because the world needs some great coworking spaces!<\/p>\n<p>Coworking is redefining how we work. With over 1 million people working in coworking spaces worldwide, and thousands of new locations opening every year, the shift away from the traditional 9-to-5 is well underway.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s all that mean for you? Two things: (1) you have a chance to build a great business that helps a lot of people make a big transition, and (2) you\u2019re going to have some big challenges ahead of you as you size up what you\u2019re going to do.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#kit\">Let me help you do it right: Register to get my Coworking Space Starter Kit!<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>What is coworking, anyway?<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_549\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-549\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-549\" src=\"http:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/met-group-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/met-group-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/met-group-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/met-group-768x576.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-549\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Coworking happens in many shapes and sizes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Coworking means a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, the core is this: people who can work anywhere are choosing to work alongside one another\u2026 for companionship, to find professional help, and for so much more.<\/p>\n<p>Coworking spaces are emerging as physical places where people an gather to cowork. These spaces might simply be shared workspaces, but the really good ones put deliberate effort into cultivating relationships and positive experiences between their members.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-only\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_871\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-871\" style=\"width: 440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-871 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/59249b3913daa_we_work.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"440\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/59249b3913daa_we_work.jpg 440w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/59249b3913daa_we_work-300x205.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-871\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pay no attention to the big box coworking space behind the curtain!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2>What about compet\u00adition?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"super-right\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_870\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-870\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-870\" src=\"http:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/27797cc9b35d38d1cdbe4324857df6c2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/27797cc9b35d38d1cdbe4324857df6c2-1.jpg 564w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/27797cc9b35d38d1cdbe4324857df6c2-1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-870\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pay no mind to the big box coworking space behind the curtain!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>As coworking grows, the Big Coworking spaces grow too. WeWork and a whole slew of aspiring chain spaces are growing like crazy. They\u2019re raising money, they\u2019re getting press, and they\u2019re coming to a city near you.<\/p>\n<p>Does that mean you should stay out of this business? Heck no! The need for coworking is way bigger than just what the big spaces can handle\u2026 sort of like how Starbucks is so big, and at the same time is just one of a great many places to get a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n<p>You can build a coworking space that stands out by building the kind of community that people will love no matter who moves in next door.<\/p>\n<p>Because building a great coworking space has less to do with the workspace itself and everything to do with the people who are in it. And that\u2019s where I\u2019m going to help you win.<\/p>\n<h2>The secret to getting it right<\/h2>\n<div class=\"super-left\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_331\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-331\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-331\" src=\"http:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/600_438239355.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/600_438239355.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/600_438239355-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/600_438239355-300x300.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-331\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The workspace is only as meaningful as the people who occupy it, and the relationships between them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s the worst-kept secret to success in coworking, yet relatively few coworking spaces really do anything about it.<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s this big secret?<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Build relationships between people.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Authentic relationships between the members of your community makes every aspect of your job easier: from attracting and retaining members to programming and even the daily headaches of running a space\u2026 they all go a lot more smoothly when you\u2019ve done the clever work and cultivated those relationships from the very start.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-only\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_876\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-876\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-870\" src=\"http:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Join-us-for-our-first-ever.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-876\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It&#8217;s all about invitations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2>The opp\u00ador\u00adtunity<\/h2>\n<div class=\"super-right\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_876\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-876\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-870\" src=\"http:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Join-us-for-our-first-ever.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-876\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It&#8217;s all about invitations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Since you haven\u2019t started your space yet*, you have a chance to make life a heck of a lot easier on yourself, for the next many years, right now.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re going to do this by creating a series of invitations: invitations to help you shape your vision, make key decisions as you develop your project, to develop programming, and so much more.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re going to recruit people to get emotionally invested in your project, so you\u2019re not doing everything yourself. And when you open your doors, you\u2019ll have an incredible group of people around you, ready to ensure you succeed.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>* if you\u2019ve already started your space, don\u2019t fret! I\u2019ve revitalized coworking cultures from within. Let\u2019s get in touch!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>But I\u2019m not a community builder!<\/h2>\n<p>No worries, we can work with that. If you know how to build a solid business, or if you are used to dealing with commercial real estate, we can help you find the community leaders who will help you to build the culture you need to make your space truly special.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-629\" width=\"300px\" src=\"http:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div>\n<h2>Hi, I\u2019m Tony.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"super-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-629\" width=\"300px\" src=\"http:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14566244_10101474452437443_1088061793807817532_o.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div>\n<p>Since 2007, I&#8217;ve been learning everything I can about how to do coworking in every context imaginable: in apartments, cafes, public spaces, and offices, from tiny scales to city-sized projects, in urban, suburban, and rural environments, you name it.<\/p>\n<p>I deeply believe that the world needs great coworking communities everywhere, so I\u2019ve dedicated myself to helping people build spaces all over the world.<\/p>\n<p>Learn a bit more about me and connect with me <a href=\"http:\/\/tonybacigalupo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><br \/>\n<a name=\"kit\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Get my free Coworking Space Starter Kit<\/h2>\n<p>I want to make sure you have everything you need to get off on the right foot. To that end, I&#8217;m offering up a free package of resources, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A worksheet to identify where you can find your first potential members<\/li>\n<li>A business model template so you can get to work putting together numbers<\/li>\n<li>A draft member agreement template to save you some time with the legalese<\/li>\n<li>Ongoing tips and tricks in your inbox!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Register to instantly get your free resources:<\/p>\n<div role=\"form\" class=\"wpcf7\" id=\"wpcf7-f863-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/841#wpcf7-f863-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\">\n<div style=\"display: none;\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"863\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"5.1.1\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f863-o1\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"g-recaptcha-response\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><label> First Name<br \/>\n    <span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap first-name\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"first-name\" value=\"\" size=\"40\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" \/><\/span> <\/label><\/p>\n<p><label> Last Name<br \/>\n    <span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap last-name\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"last-name\" value=\"\" size=\"40\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" \/><\/span> <\/label><\/p>\n<p><label> Your Email<br \/>\n    <span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap email\"><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" value=\"\" size=\"40\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-validates-as-email\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" \/><\/span> <\/label><\/p>\n<p><label> What best describes your status? <\/label><br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap status\"><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-radio\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item first\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"status\" value=\"Researching opening a space\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Researching opening a space<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"status\" value=\"Actively working on a new space\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Actively working on a new space<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"status\" value=\"Signed a lease\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Signed a lease<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"status\" value=\"About to open (less than 2 months)\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">About to open (less than 2 months)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"status\" value=\"Recently opened a space\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Recently opened a space<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"status\" value=\"Been open more than a year\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Been open more than a year<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item last\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"status\" value=\"Other\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Other<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><label> What best describes your background? <\/label><br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap background\"><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-radio\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item first\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"background\" value=\"Business \/ Startup\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Business \/ Startup<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"background\" value=\"Community building\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Community building<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"background\" value=\"Economic Development\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Economic Development<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"background\" value=\"Real estate\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Real estate<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"background\" value=\"Research\/Academic\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Research\/Academic<\/span><\/span><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item last\"><input type=\"radio\" name=\"background\" value=\"Other\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Other<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[recaptcha size:compact]<\/p>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"source\" value=\"CF7\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" \/>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"submission-url\" value=\"\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" \/>\n<p><input type=\"submit\" value=\"Send\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"wpcf7-response-output wpcf7-display-none\"><\/div><\/form><\/div>\n<h2>Need help right now? Let&#8217;s talk!<\/h2>\n<p>As a member of the Organizers Club, you\u2019ll get access to my full toolkit of resources, discussion groups, and personal feedback on any questions you might have.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re working on starting a new space, I want to ensure you do it right!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/club\">Learn more and apply<\/a><\/p>\n&nbsp;<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"excerpt\">So, you\u2019re thinking of starting a coworking space. I\u2019m glad you are, because the world needs some great coworking spaces! Coworking is redefining how we work. With over 1 million people working in coworking spaces worldwide, and thousands of new locations opening every year, the shift away from the traditional 9-to-5 is well underway. What\u2019s all that mean for you? &#8230; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/how-to-start-a-coworking-space\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":666,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-841","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=841"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/841\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2842,"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/841\/revisions\/2842"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nwc.co\/3\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}