Coworking Space – Not just for work

Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, and Google. All these companies were brainchilds of people who knew how to program. As a programmer, you look at how something is being done, you can see how much better it can be if you introduce technology into that product or improve the existing technology, and you start creating your own product. Why? because you know how to do it. You can see it before your eyes. You can see people using it and saving their time.

The result, you started your entrepreneurial journey. You spend your nights and weekends. You work very hard. Maybe you already built a product or you are in the process of building. But, either way, as a first time entrepreneur, you have several questions: Where can I find a good attorney? a good accountant? How do I approach an angel or vc?  Where do I find a good SEO? Where do I find a design expert?  How do I approach market?

You can find tons of information online but it might not be easy to figure out which information to rely upon. You ventured into this new product because you knew how to build it. But, now you want to know how to do everything that comes with launching a product. Who is going to answer all your questions? 

The answer, I believe, is connections. Connections are very important when you want to be an entrepreneur. But, how do you make those connections? I had a similar question after building showdecider. I found an answer after visiting my friend at his coworking space. This is the visit that prompted me to write this article.

Yesterday, here in phoenix, I went to visit my friend, Olu,  at his coworking space: cohoots.  He recently started working from this place. He said, choosing to work at coworking space instead of home is the best decision he made after he started his own gig. As he started explaining the advantages of this coworking space, I was amazed how such a small decision can make a big impact in his entrepreneurial journey.

 Once you choose a well managed coworking space that suits your values, the advantages are tremendous.  At a coworking space, you have everyone going through the same journey as you are. They have similar values. They want to make a dent in the world. They want to contribute back to the society.  

 People at coworking space might already have answers to lots of questions you have during your entrepreneurial journey. There are people from different backgrounds. You might have an SEO sitting beside you, a designer sitting in front of you, or a marketing guru sitting in the same space. Even if you don’t find anyone in your space who can answer your questions, there are very good chances that you might find a person who can refer you to someone else they know.

 Space to work is one reason. Building connections is another. But, above all, the most important reason to work at a coworking space: external motivation. I believe the synergy that can happen and the energy boost that you get, when you are working with people who want to make a difference in the world with their own ideas, is wonderful. Being able share the successes and failures of those people, being able to see how someone is lifting themselves up even when they are in the worst situation you can imagine, being able to see someone make something happen against all odds, and the motivation that you get from all of this is priceless.

What is your experience with coworking space?

Is there a way to connect with people in coworking spaces in India?

How do you make connections as an entrepreneur?

Where do you get your motivation to stay focused and get things done?