As remote working, freelancing, and entrepreneurship continues to strengthen the foundations of our economy, coworking has established itself as a viable way to work, build a business, meet and network with other, like-minded individuals.

How coworking benefits companies

Looking beyond the benefits to the individual, coworking is good for companies too. It has also allowed larger companies the ability to downsize, to let go of unused office space and instead provide employees with an open office environment that allows them the freedom they want while still maintaining a connection to their teams and their mission.

For companies that maintain teams in multiple cities, coworking provides them with an affordable option that makes growth possible. Maintaining coworking memberships helps companies provide their employees with every possible office amenity without having to outfit a new office and it supports profitability even during times of scale.

 

The evolution of coworking spaces

Coworking began in a tiny one-room space in San Francisco. Of course, there were precursors to it … the hackerspaces and makerspaces of 1990s Berlin came first, and then there were small business “incubators” or innovation centers that started popping up all over the world not long thereafter.

However, the first true coworking space was opened in 2005 by a coder named Brad Neuberg who was simply sick of working by himself. He was a social guy by nature, but, working remotely for his various clients was a lonely business and he felt that he would be more productive and happier if he could share his workspace with others just like him.

The idea was a bit of a sleeper, but it took off. Actually, even though the space itself was unremarkable (compared to many of today’s examples), Brad’s version of coworking was not lacking for amenities. As he shared space with a wellness center, massages and meditation were part of the picture, right from the beginning.

Many “oms” later, slowly and purposefully, coworking grew into a living, breathing thing. From such humble beginnings, his movement grew into a revolution. Today, there are almost 15,000 coworking spaces all over the world. It has disrupted the way we work, it has disrupted the real estate industry, and it has shown us how to look beyond the cubicle and forward into a world that values innovation and the power of collaboration.

Today, coworking has become an integral part of many business’ success. It provides entrepreneurs and solopreneurs with affordable options for building their companies. It supports global enterprise with a platform that allows them to scale with ease, and it is also an avenue that provides companies of any size the ability to optimize their workspaces without compromising productivity.

 

Has coworking changed the way you work? We would love to hear about it! Drop by Lakeside Executive Suites for a tour of our coworking space and discover how we can help you grow.