Being your own boss is great – you get to avoid the morning commute, choose when and where you want to work, and set your own hours. Nothing could be better than getting to do what you love on your own time while making money, right? Yes and no. It can be extremely challenging, and it is often glorified by those who haven’t experienced it.
Working at home or a coffee shop sure sounds like the dream, but it has its own challenges and disadvantages for business owners who are their own bosses. How many times you had trouble finishing a piece of work while sipping your favorite coffee due to noisy customers, a visual distraction from passersby, or unsteady internet connection? Or lacked concentration working from home due to non-stop TV programs and dogs barking all day long?
If you are having difficulties working at home, in the coffee shop, or in similar places you’ve tried before, why not consider coworking spaces? Although it’s a shared workplace, it is a healthy atmosphere filled with young professionals and ambitious entrepreneurs just like you.
It’s easy to lose track of work if you’re at home and constantly be preoccupied with things such as renovation projects, family members talking to you every minute, or unwanted inconveniences that interfere with your productivity. A decrease in productivity often leads to unsatisfactory work output that might result in a decreasing number of clients, which sooner or later will affect your income.
One of the many benefits of coworking spaces is that it increases your productivity by eliminating all possible distractions present at home or in public spaces. Since you’re working with other professionals from different industries, it can also help boost your creativity and drive your motivation to finish work as scheduled. Being surrounded by diverse people who share the same goal creates a positive working environment.
Let’s face it. Working alone has its advantages, but when the only voice you hear is your own, it can get lonely. Ask work from home entrepreneurs about their experiences, and they’ll tell you that it’s only good at the start. But as time goes by, the thought of working alone and the feeling of isolation becomes worse. Working at home removes one of the most important aspects of professional and personal growth: human interaction. As with all things, there’s a balance, and while time can be wasted with too much interaction, no interaction at all isn’t always healthy for us either. Keep in mind that humans are naturally pack animals and most of us find that sense of belongingness when we’re in the company of others.
Coworking spaces bring us back into the social limelight and create a healthy balance of working solitarily and social interaction. The disconnection is removed and replaced with a productive community of equally engaged individuals. A room full of working people is visually enticing as opposed to than a quiet space with no one else but you.
For your business to grow, you need to spread the word and let people discover your new venture. While working alone is effective for some people, it is unproductive for those who need to widen their consumer base. It creates a barrier between you and the people who could help grow your business. Since a coworking space is a room full of great and like-minded people and entrepreneurs, it is a treasure trove of endless networking opportunities.
Before discussing your business, make sure to build a trustworthy relationship first. You’ll want to be respectful to others before asking for referrals or recommendations. It would be wise to give referrals in return for the favor as well as a way of saying thank you. Below are some more tips:
Other benefits of coworking spaces include saving yourself from costly rent and complicated lease requirements. If you are unfamiliar with renting an office space, it usually requires a huge down payment for deposit purposes and payment guarantees. Depending on the landlord, the cost of renting an office space is based on cost-per-square-foot, and premium location commands a higher price tag.
Aside from avoiding skyrocketing fees, with coworking spaces you don’t need to think about complicated lease requirements such as municipal paperwork, arranging utilities, setting up your own station, or funding renovations and repairs. In comparison with a shared work environment, you just need to sign up and pay for the membership and you’re good to go.
Want to meet a client for a potential project but don’t have a fancy office? Is your home not suitable for personal discussions due to being an unconducive environment? Is the noise and distraction of public places not favorable either? Shared working spaces give you the convenience of having a professional location for your clients to come and check out your business.
Most coworking spaces are equipped with facilities that are conducive for client meetings. A standard shared working environment usually provides conference rooms and private spaces complete with tools such as a projector, whiteboard, and speakers for personal discussions. Here are some tips to achieve that professional client space: