The XYZed has scoured the internet for the most popular questions asked by self-starters – and now we’re answering them. Sheree Rubinstein, founder and chief executive of coworking space One Roof, tackles the issue of what to do when your small business has outgrown its workspace.
It’s growing pains that see most small business and start-up tenants at Southbank’s One Roof seek out the co-working space. Most of those businesses have hired staff and they realise that the novelty of working from home and wearing exercise clothes all day and having meetings in the kitchen really wears thin, Rubinstein explains.
“They want a business address, proper office facilities and, most importantly, a community of like-minded business owners and entrepreneurs to connect with, collaborate and share ideas and resources,” she says.
How do coworking spaces work?
Being a self-starter means doing a lot for yourself and your business. But that doesn’t mean you need to work alone. Coworking spaces mean individuals and small businesses work separately, but under the same roof.
Many coworking spaces offer free trials. One Roof offers a one-week trial at no cost, so potential workers can immerse themselves in the community, making the most of networking opportunities and support services.
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One Roof is dedicated to housing female-led businesses, and offers a monthly membership that includes access to mail services, meeting rooms, a closed Facebook group and networking events.
Why have coworking spaces become so popular?
There has been a significant growth in the number of self-starters and freelance workers, and those working as part of the gig economy. As work has changed, people want flexibility with how and where they work. As an early stage startup or small business, coworking means office costs can be reduced, and removes the need for signing a long lease.
“Coworking also taps into the sharing economy. It’s like Uber and Airbnb, but for office space,” Rubinstein says.
She believes people want to work in flexible environments that are conducive to collaboration, maximise creativity and productivity, and make them feel like they are part of a like-minded community.
What about privacy?
One of the fears self-starters can have when considering a coworking space is if a communal work environment will reduce productivity. Thanks to the right balance of private, quiet spaces and communal working areas, Rubinstein says most people report that their productivity increases exponentially when they work from One Roof.
“The fact that they need to commute here, they pay for their membership and they are surrounded by other people who are working hard creates a strong motivation in people,” she says.
“And there are lots of opportunities to network and connect.”
A space that’s right for you
One of the plus-sides of coworking is that every space is unique, and with such a variety of environments on offer you can weigh up the options and find one that is right for you. Rubinstein says most coworking spaces offer at least a one-day trial. In fact, One Roof offers a week.
More than 80 businesses call One Roof home, and this includes graphic designers, artificial intelligence experts and a 25-person health tech company.
Coworking spaces are defined by the diversity of businesses they house. People in coworking spaces work in range of industries, and the businesses that call these spaces home are at different stages along the growth cycle.
Securing the finances to move your business into a new space can be daunting, but at RedZed we help make that commitment less complex. Our credit decisions aren’t made by computers but by living, breathing experts. To find out more about RedZed visit redzed.com or call us on 1300 722 462.
