As exhilarating and freeing as working from home and launching your own business seems at first, after a while, you want to get out of those sweats and go somewhere else to work. The distractions of your home office may be taking their toll on your productivity or, you’re starting to feel isolated and cut off from the rest of the business world because your home office is your business environment. You know you need an office space that’s not connected to your home but renting office spaces can lock you into long-term leases that you can’t really afford, not to mention the maintenance and labor overhead that comes with operating out of your own office. Then there’s the whole ordeal of office design and outfitting, with even more expenses for furniture, equipment, technology, coffee, water and whatever other amenities you might want in your office setting. Out of your comfort zone? Overwhelmed at the thought of how setting up an office will pull you in a gazillion different directions and cost a fortune?
Well . . . lucky for you, many other entrepreneurs and growing business owners with the same hurdles to jump over have discovered a happy medium between working from your home or local coffee shop and opening your own office. If by some chance you aren’t already considering this option, coworking spaces offer flexible, affordable alternatives to biting the bullet and setting up a private office. Coworking spaces are rapidly replacing traditional office settings as the preferred way to help grow your business. Connecting with other like-minded professionals with success on their agendas motivates you to get down to the business of expanding your business. This is just one of the ways coworking can help do just that. Besides the healthy, competitive camaraderie that propels members to show up every day, coworking spaces offer many other ways to help grow your business. These include:
- Move-in ready officesOpening your own office requires the resources and time commitment that most businesses poised to expand just can’t afford. Coworking spaces allow you to skip that monumental obstacle by offering a variety of different office spaces with flexible monthly leases. This lets you go right on with your growth plans without skipping a beat.
- Supplies and amenities includedWhile amenities can be looked at as unnecessary by some people, when you or your associates don’t have to take the time and the expense of stocking water and coffee supplies, they can concentrate on working out ways to grow your brand. Additionally, you don’t have to hire a cleaning company or a maintenance crew to keep your office up to your standards. Many coworking spaces feature catering and/or dining options in-house and most coworking spaces are located near other businesses in metro areas. You can take clients to lunch, take the team out for a celebration, or just take a break to refresh and rejuvenate during your workday.
- Technology, printers and meeting roomsNot needing to invest a huge chunk of your profits in technology, printers, scanners, and other office equipment also makes sense for businesses on the brink of expansion. Growing businesses can often need a variety of spaces to work things out. You may need a private office, along with some semi-private desks for a month or so, while you may be in need of a presentation space to launch new ideas, products, and services. Coworking spaces offer conference rooms with full audio and visual capabilities and the printing services you may need for a presentation. Other semi-private virtual office spaces can be the perfect unfettered setup for Skype meetings and training sessions.
- Resources at your fingertipsAs the trademark of coworking spaces, networking opportunities are built in by design. Along with the potential to meet other business owners in your community, who can increase your exposure, many of the services you may need as you expand are within arm’s reach. Save time and money by hiring a freelance writer, photographer, or web designer in your network. Other independent companies and services that can be easy to source at your coworking space include marketing and legal help, as well.
- Other networking opportunitiesIn addition to meeting other business professionals that can help you stay on your path to further success by providing marketing services or designing your website, you can interact with other business owners who have walked in your shoes and can advise you on how to navigate a certain obstacle. A fresh set of eyes on a project might be just the adjustment you need to fill in a blank to move your business forward. You, in turn, may be able to help someone else with an obstacle they’re struggling with in their business.
- Collaborative spirit can lead to new business ideasWorking alongside enterprising professionals, as well as getting to know other members of your coworking community, inspires the creative process. Brainstorming with other members could lead to forming new businesses or working with other business owners who need your expertise in developing new projects.
- Connecting with other members increases exposureUnlike attending social networking events where business cards are exchanged but little else, connecting with your coworking community at social or educational events sponsored by your coworking space, you increase your exposure in the community at large. Referrals from other members help grow your brand footprint when they send business your way via friends, families, and other connections in your community.
Coworking spaces also offer their members a business address, along with mailing services that further streamline your business plan. At Venture X, our well-appointed facilities offer you a variety of office space options, in contemporary, high-design spaces. Meeting with clients in our community area or office spaces that impress will help grow your client base and increase your bottom line. With all the services and amenities you need, but without the labor or maintenance involved in opening your own office, you can focus on expanding your business and moving into your next successful phase. Contact us to schedule a tour of your local Venture X location.
