Everything Coworking

What does it really take to build a coworking space that becomes a community asset, not just another office? That was one of my favorite conversations with Rob Archer, CEO of Codebase Coworking in Charlottesville, Virginia. Rob has built something special. Codebase sits inside a larger entrepreneurial ecosystem designed to attract talent, support founders, and strengthen the local community. What struck me most was how intentional every decision has been. We talked about the reality of balancing financial responsibility with a bigger mission. Rob doesn't shy away from the numbers. In fact, he broke down coworking economics better than most MBA professors. But he also understands that some of the most valuable parts of a coworking space can't be measured on a spreadsheet. From giving more than 70 hard hat tours before opening, to building deep relationships throughout Charlottesville, to creating a member mix that reflects the broader business community, Rob has shown what's possible when you lead with both strategy and service. We also dug into: How to think about coworking profitability when your vision is bigger than revenue alone Why understanding your market matters more than copying someone else's model The lessons Rob learned launching a 20,000 sq. ft. coworking space Building occupancy before opening day Developing community managers and investing in your team Creating a coworking experience that attracts and retains local talent If you're building a coworking space, this episode is packed with practical insights on growth, positioning, community engagement, and long-term sustainability. And if you've ever wondered whether coworking can be both profitable and deeply connected to its community, Rob's story is a masterclass. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Rob Archer on LinkedIn Codebase Coworking website Everything Coworking Featured Resources: Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space Coworking Startup School Community Manager University Follow Us on YouTube

Some coworking operators close one space and swear they'll never do it again. Matt Irvin closed his first coworking space during COVID...packed up his family, drove from California to Chicago in the middle of the pandemic...and opened another one anyway. Matt and I go way back to our CrossFit days in the Bay Area. We used to do Murph together, and I still remember him air squatting faster than everyone else while we talked about his idea to open a coworking space in Menlo Park. At the time, he and his wife Meg were trying to solve a very real problem: how do you create beautiful, welcoming workspace for therapists and small businesses without the cold, corporate feel? That idea became Cocial in Menlo Park. Then came COVID. This episode is packed with gems for operators: How Matt turned a massive curved-window flex space into an events business with 100+ events a year Why community matters more than ever in suburban coworking markets What operators miss when they focus only on desks and offices instead of creating a culture people want to belong to How he bootstrapped both spaces, negotiated free rent and TI, and built the first location himself with "burritos and beers" labor One of my favorite parts of this conversation is how much heart Matt brings to the business. You can feel how deeply he cares about creating spaces where people feel comfortable, connected, and supported. If you're thinking about suburban coworking, events, hospitality, or simply what it takes to start over and build again, this one is worth your time. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Matt Irvin on LinkedIn Cocial website Everything Coworking Featured Resources: Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space Coworking Startup School Community Manager University Follow Us on YouTube

If your coworking space lost its Google Business Profile tomorrow… how long would it take before your pipeline dried up? That might sound dramatic, but after digging into Google's latest review policy changes, I don't think it is. Google quietly rolled out major updates in April that completely change how coworking operators can ask for reviews. And some of the tactics many of us have used for years? They now violate policy. This episode is a wake-up call for coworking operators because your Google Business Profile is not just another marketing channel. It is the top of the funnel for your business. It drives local search visibility, social proof, SEO, and ultimately leads. I recorded this episode immediately after learning about these changes because the implications are huge. If your automations, signage, onboarding materials, or team scripts are out of compliance, you could start losing reviews… or worse, lose review functionality altogether. In this episode, I walk through: - The 8 major Google review policy changes coworking operators need to know right now - Why common review strategies are suddenly risky - How to audit your automations, QR codes, onboarding materials, and CRM workflows - What Google's AI enforcement tools are actually looking for - The safer, compliant ways to continue generating reviews and protecting your search visibility If your coworking business depends on local search traffic (and it does), this is one of the most important episodes I've recorded this year. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Google's official review policy Google's Maps UGC policy overview Everything Coworking Featured Resources: Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space Coworking Startup School Community Manager University Follow Us on YouTube

What would you do if you bought a coworking space that was losing money… on purpose? That's exactly what Lea Latham did. She walked into a 13,000 square foot executive suite business that was underwater, knowing full well she'd likely have to take it over. And when the time came? She moved into her RV, parked it outside, and got to work. I loved this conversation with Lea because it's such a real look at what it actually takes to turn a space around: Making the hard call to replace a team member (and wishing you'd done it sooner) Installing systems, structure, and accountability from scratch Leaning into technology to create visibility and control Understanding that relationships matter—but they're not everything And focusing on the fundamentals that so many operators overlook (like actually responding to leads…) I've had the privilege of working with Lea through our programs, and she is exactly the kind of operator you want in this industry: curious, decisive, and willing to take action. If you've ever wondered whether you could take over an underperforming space and turn it into something profitable… this episode will give you a very honest look at what that actually requires. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Katy Elite Suites website Everything Coworking Featured Resources: Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space Coworking Startup School Community Manager University Follow Us on YouTube

Most people don't start their coworking career thinking they'll become president of the company. Jessie Hathcock did. When I sat down with Jessie Hathcock from The Loading Dock, I couldn't stop thinking about how rare her story is. She started as a community coordinator… and six and a half years later, she's leading the entire company. We talked about: What it really looks like to grow up in the coworking industry (and why those career paths are finally becoming more common) How their co-warehousing model is opening doors for entrepreneurs you might not expect… including tradespeople and small businesses that need space to grow The messy, real behind-the-scenes of implementing EOS and building a healthy, aligned team (not as easy as it sounds) Why "unreasonable hospitality" isn't just a philosophy for them… it's a budget line item And how they're creating a level of connection that leads to 82.5% of members reporting improved wellbeing One of my favorite parts of this conversation is how honest Jess is about the messy middle. Rapid growth. Team tension. Launching new initiatives before you're fully ready. Learning (sometimes the hard way) how to lead at a higher level. And still choosing to build something that puts people first. If you've ever wondered what it actually takes to scale a coworking business without losing your culture… this episode is such a good one. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Jessie Hathcock on LinkedIn The Loading Dock website Everything Coworking Featured Resources: Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space Coworking Startup School Community Manager University Follow Us on YouTube