Coworking spaces are often stereotyped as a glorified coffee shop with free WiFi, free organic coffee (and sometimes beer), couches, ping pong or foosball tables and young people busy on Apple computers. While these kinds of amenities may be the first thing that jumps to mind, the real value is under the hood. Here are five key benefits you should consider.
1. You can afford it.
Sure, you have to pay a trivial amount ($200/month at Launch), but there is an option to fit any budget. It may cost more than “stealing” WiFi at a coffee shop, but it’s affordable way sooner than a long-term office lease.
2. Grow your space as you grow your company.
Nothing is static for a startup and coworking spaces are designed to be flexible and accommodate growth. Have five employees one month and 10 the next? No problem, you can switch to a bigger office down the hall or even an entire suite.
3. Ready with stuff you don’t even know you need.
Coworking spaces like Launch Workplaces, are very familiar with the needs of startups and offer a variety of services that can help your business grow. These range from pitch nights in front of investors to mundane things like help with websites and accounting. Even if Launch does not have everything, we know someone in our community of entrepreneurs who can help you with almost any need. Inexpensive marketing company to get your brand started? Or how about a CPA, graphic designer, 3D printing company or wealth management team? Our space is filled with startups, entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to grow and collaborate.
4. Network, network, network.
While often young people are the dominant demographic in coworking spaces, the ecosystem of people, companies and industries is actually incredibly diverse. For every tech startup, there’s a lawyer in private practice or a video production company. You never know who you’ll meet and how you might be able to collaborate.
5. Surround yourself with positive energy.
Don’t underestimate how psychologically hard startup life can be. There will be times when you doubt yourself, your company and your mission and many nights when you’re working late while your friends and family are doing something fun. Surrounding yourself with smart, dedicated and hard-working people is the best cure for the startup blues. Whatever challenges you’re facing, someone else has probably already faced (and conquered) them, and it’s great to have a constant reminder of that.
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