Have you heard of co-working? Are you an Entrepreneur? … & are tired of working from home or the local Starbucks?
Well let us help you discover co-working!
By definition, co-working spaces are communal offices where people, typically from different organizations, go to work in a shared working environment. For many it’s a break from the monotony of a home-office, or a great place to stop by when traveling. For us, co-working spaces were a great break from the home office where we met some awesome people that are working to build their dream companies, just like us!
Today… with so many more people discovering that they want to become their own boss and create their own websites, naturally these new entrepreneurs are going to need a place to work. Not everyone has 3k or more to spend on a professional work office, so co-working spaces are a great in-between.
We all now how isolation can drive a person crazy…
These co-working offices are popping up everywhere. Some are more office-y looking with cubicles and glass offices inside high rises, while others have a more unique artist/loft feel. It’s a really great new trend that is taking off right now.
Take a look at where we tried out..
Here is Indie Desk.
Indie Desk was our first stop, and just so happens to be the first co-working space in DTLA. We had a great first impression because when we first walked in, a guy (a regular space renter) welcomed us and started chatting us up (even though the front desk person came 2 hours late). He asked us about our company and let us know that another guy that rents a desk there would probably be a good person for us to talk to – networking within 5 minutes of getting in the door… SCORE!
Read on for our pros and cons.
Pros:
- The people there are super friendly.
- It was very quiet. Almost everyone wore headphones and the restrooms are behind two doors, so you don’t have to worry about hearing constant flushing.
- Networking opportunities – new and old. You can run into people you’ve met at previous networking events and further build that relationship (queue Syama Meagher! – Check out her book here and her Entrepreneur Spotlight here).
- It wasn’t crowded at all. We thought we’d have to rush for a table, but we were some of the first ones there and got a whole table to ourselves. People slowly trickled in after normal office hours (late-afternoon).
- Wifi is available
- Printing is available for free.
- Plenty of desk space. There are 2 conference rooms that you can reserve, desks that are reservable or can be rented, open community tables, and several individual desks.
- There were tons of pull-down outlets everywhere.
- There’s a bus stop right out front if you want to take public transit to the “office”.
Cons:
- There wasn’t anyone at the front desk for us to check-in for about 2 hours.
- Although we liked the quiet, we sometimes felt uncomfortable having an out-loud meeting among our team (even though no one said anything).
- There was supposed to be free coffee and water available, but none that we could see.
- Parking can be difficult because you have to park and pay at a lot for the day, which can be at least $10.
- A little cold inside, so bring a coat!
- The tech guys had trouble printing what we needed. We had to email our file and they can only print in B&W.
- We liked the open layout but felt that they should provide more tables since there were only 2 tables that sat 4 people.
- It’s a little dark inside. There are no windows besides the front wall where you walk in.
Overall, Indie Desk definitely felt like a place that coders go just to work in public, away from home. We love the idea of working around other people, from different industries, but it was just a liiiiitle too quiet for our working habits. The people were awesome and the layout was open, so if you’re someone that likes to work in your bubble, but also around others, this is the place for you.
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Here is BlankSpaces.
Blank Spaces was the second stop on our tour of co-working spaces and it definitely didn’t disappoint. We liked this place best because it definitely had more of a bustling office vibe (not to mention that it’s a lot closer to our home office as well).
Read on for our pros and cons.
Pros:
- This place was a little bigger than Indie Desk and had a lot more tables to work at. You can rent a spot at a large conference table, a cubicle, an office, or just space at the community area in front of the kitchen.
- There is a collaborative, bustling office vibe.
- People talk out loud more, making it more inviting to have team conversations.
- People were very friendly. We got to be taste testers for another startup that’s working there!
- It’s in a cool area, close to places to eat or get coffee.
- Parking was easy to find right out front.
- There is a lot of natural light that comes through skylights, creating an open and bright environment.
- There are several locations.
Cons:
- Parking is metered out front, but it’s cheaper than all day parking in DTLA. You can rent a monthly spot at a lot down the street.
- If you’re looking for a quiet space to work, you’ll need noise-canceling headphones or to rent an enclosed office.
- There isn’t the easiest access to outlets.
- There is a communal restroom (meaning for men and women) with 2 stalls. It was a bit startling when we had to wait for a stall and a man walked out (hehe). You can also hear the restroom from the main area.
- It is a little on the pricier side to rent an office.
Overall, we had way more pros than cons. This space fit better with our working habits because we talk out our strategies and ask for opinions a lot, which means that we’re not the quietest bunch. We met some awesome people, and heard about their cool ideas. If you’re looking for a more energetic place to work, Blankspaces is for you.
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After seeing what all the co-working buzz was about; this is what we found:
- They’re great places to meet new people and network.
- Sometimes listening in on others’ conversations can lead you to your next favorite coffee shop.
- You don’t have to feel guilty about hogging a desk all day in a public space.
- It’s somewhere that you can actually invite clients to for a meeting.
This is what we care about:
- Wifi availability and speed
- Parking (paid?)
- The bathroom sitch
- Printing capabilities
- Setup of tables/desks/offices
- The type of people that go there (Industries)
- Coffee/water availability
- Noise level
- Price to rent a space
We can for sure see why co-working spaces are trending, and even see ourselves hoping on the bandwagon pretty soon. With social working spaces growing at a rapid space, you are sure to see even cooler co-spaces opening up, like TechShop where you can have access to tools, software, AND space. So, if your thinking about becoming a member of a co-working space, check out our coworking checklist before you decide. Good luck!
HAPPY SHOPPING!
[For more biz articles, click here! For more lonely worker advice, check out Anthony’s “Are You a Lonely Entrepreneur? 5 Solutions to a Healthy Life/Work Balance!” article.]
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