Even a recession can’t stop ideas and ideas create businesses and businesses create jobs and jobs create economic growth. However, very rarely does an idea turn into a profitable business overnight, so entrepreneurs have to be smart about how they manage their growth in the first few years. Maybe your vision is a 30 floor office building in the middle of a big metropolis, complete with floor to ceiling marble, mahogany desks, gold plated pens, beautiful one-of-a-kind, artist signed paperweights and a staff of well-groomed, energetic sharks. Perhaps your reality is a second or third-hand IKEA desk, recently purchased from the tail end of your neighbors garage sale, a college ruled notepad and a pen you inherited from the less-than-attentive girl at the corner diner. You’re living on leftovers and whatever energy drinks are on sale at the gas station, but the only hunger you’re feeling is that fire in your belly to take over the world. What’s NEXT?
In an age of e-this and virtual-that, it’s no surprise that many new small business owners are taking heed and going mobile, and running their entire operation from a handheld device or tablet of some sort. We are in a constant state of movement, much like the blur of color and light when a movie scene fades from night to early morning on the big screen. Our dream is a beautiful, gold colored carrot, hanging just a breath away from our outstretched reach. If we move just a little bit faster, get up a little bit earlier, stay up a little bit later, we’re almost convinced that our fingers will connect with our vision, empowering us to turn everything we touch afterwards to shimmering pools of gold in such speed and efficiency that Rumplestiltskin will pack up his spool and thread and retire once and for all.
Business owners all over the world have taken notice of this virtual boom and coworking spaces have been sprouting up in almost every region imaginable. Catering to the on-the-go professional, coworking spaces offer a bevy of full-service benefits without the high overhead that executive office suites incur. Think lights, cool air, coffee, snacks, desk space, copying, printing and fax capabilities, office supplies, a conference room, meeting space and a well-groomed, smiling receptionist to greet each guest. Doing it all on your own will cost up to thousands of dollars a month, and after acquiring that garage sale desk and a case of Red Bull, your remaining budget is dwindling fast. You’re over Starbucks, because you always get the seat next to the front door and find yourself almost getting blown away every time the door opens and that powerful overhead fan goes full force for about 3 seconds. The Internet speed is unreliable and you feel guilty if you’re not regularly sipping on your $4, 18 word coffee beverage of choice. Three hours in, your legs are moving beneath the table like a centipede on fire and your brain checked out two hours and twenty-four minutes earlier. You’re down to your last $3, and you’ve typed four words on your laptop. This is NOT the office for you.
If you’re between the second-hand IKEA desk and the 30th floor of your downtown office, look up your local coworking space offerings- chances are, you’ll find the best of both worlds- a great, professional space where other entrepreneurs and business owners congregate creating an energy of constant on-the-verge successes and budget-friendly options for every stage of your up-and-coming idea turned business. At Coworking Connection, we inspire and are constantly inspired by the continued personal and economic growth of our members. We know that we and our members are improving the expansion of our community every day and are helping build a foundation for the stability of future generations of entrepreneurs. Whatever stage of growth you’re in, Coworking Connection wants to be an active part of your continued success. Just remember “the little guys” when you’re sitting in your marble and mahogany office, okay?
I’m Lindsay Blue, and I’m addicted to the Coworking Movement.