Office Space News
Business Support Is Key to Coworking in Akron, OH
Published March 7th, 2009 by Mike Sullivan
I spoke with Kelly Brown a few weeks ago to discuss a very popular movement in the world of office space called coworking, and to discuss his Akron, OH based version of it called Office Space Coworking. Kelly and I spoke at length and his insights into the industry proved to be very enlightening.
Looking for office space in Akron?
For those readers who are new to the coworking movement, it has been spawned from workers who need an informal, yet professional workspace (see the Office Space Coworking commercial above). Typically, these people are independents, writers, artists, programmers and other entrepreneurs who have been working from home, coffee shops or even traditional space, who are often seeking refuge from the isolation of working at home and a more professional environment than a cafe. Importantly, they’re looking for others with similar creative backgrounds to share, collaborate and bounce ideas around.
One thing that is notable about the coworking movement is that there is a highly organized online community and loose affiliation of facilities across the globe. I asked Kelly about how the industry has done so well in organizing and communicating its benefits. He said “much of it has to do with the types of people who own coworking facilities and those who work in them.” He went on to explain, “since a sizable portion of owners and coworkers are writers, website developers and collaborators, it was a natural extension to develop great collaborative, well-communicated set of websites to promote the industry.”
Kelly is no stranger to marketing and promotion as the former Chief Operating Officer and Marketing Director of a small publishing company, founder and publisher of Small Business Guru and founder of Office Space Coworking. He also spends much of his time coaching and mentoring other businesses in and around Akron, OH. “Starting a coworking facility was the perfect opportunity for me. There’s not much more I want than for the area to have a thriving business entrepreneurial community because I love to provide coaching and inspiration, reminding people why they got into business in the first place so they focus on what they need to make it a reality.”
He has managed to attract a great crowd of entrepreneurs, writers and other independents since Office Space Coworking began back in October of 2008. Two of his clients, Staci Shelton and Dawn Mitchell, are very active in the Akron business scene, equally as active on social media websites such as Twitter and have been a part of the success of Office Space Coworking. “Any time I have people who love what we do, and talk about it with everyone they see, it’s a big benefit” Brown explained. “And these two have a significant presence and help draw even more attention to what I do. Staci has big and powerful following on Twitter that has made the halo even bigger.”
He went on to explain that “what makes a coworking place successful is activity. The coworkers either have been working in isolation and are craving camaraderie and collaboration, or have been working in coffee shops because they love the activity, but at times need a more business-like environment. Coworking done well provides that.” And Office Space Coworking is filled up after hours at least 3 nights per week with meetings, networking events and even wine and jazz events.
For more information, please visit Office Space Coworking, or follow @cowork_akron on Twitter.
Related posts:
- Coworking from the mouths of coworkers Coworking is quite a bit different concept than executive offices...
- Pacific Business Centers Focuses on ‘Green’ Outplacement Workspaces While the world waits to see what President Barack Obama...
- California’s Pacific Business Centers Offers “Cloud Officing” Just the other day, I wrote about Pacific Business Centers....
- BLANKSPACES Debuts in Los Angeles with Coworking Model BLANKSPACES. The name got my attention right away. It reminds...
- Find a better office for your business It’s your business and your life. Don’t let a poorly...
About the Author
Melanie Jones March 9th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
The coworking concept hasn’t taken off in my area, at least not in a way that’s been publicized. I think this coworking set up is poised to take hold, especially as creative types who may have been laid off look for freelance opportunities. I can see coworking as a definite opportunity or folks with complimentary skill sets to network and refer clients to one another.
Mike Sullivan March 9th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I have visited several coworking facilities in the past weeks, and they all have one thing in common: their mantra is to support their businesses. It’s a similar mantra to executive suites, but they are all about creating a climate for networking, collaboration and thriving off one another. Executive suites definitely do that as well, but coworking seems to be taking it to another level.
A Co-working Movement « Downsize Your Office, Rather Than Your People March 9th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
[...] Article [...]
Elizabeth Sanchez March 10th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Collaboration is such a key factor in business success. No one should work in a vacuum. Coworking is on the cutting-edge of 21st century workplace strategies. What is starting with the creative practices will no doubt trickle into other areas. I could see group of attorneys, accountants and mortgage brokers clustering in a coworking environment for the benefit of all, for example.
Coalition of Office Space Providers Partners with NYC EDC March 18th, 2009 at 9:46 am
[...] will offer a variety of services to start-ups to support their office space needs, from shared and coworking space to private offices in strategic Manhattan buildings to studio spaces. Start-ups can tap into [...]
Coworking Book Highlights Latest Office Trend March 25th, 2009 at 10:23 am
[...] How Coworking Is Making the Office Obsolete.” It’s a new book that backs up our prediction that coworking arrangements are poised to gain momentum in the current economic climate and establish a foothold [...]
Coworking Offices Set to Open in Birmingham, Rochester March 31st, 2009 at 11:10 am
[...] coworking movement is making its way across the [...]