9 resources for indie coworking space operators

Hey, indie operator!

I see you. 

Rocking and rolling, building community and making coffee, dealing with challenging members and giving amazing tours, writing your newsletter and following up with leads, growing your business and building your brand.

You are changing the world.

Yep, you.

Indie operators started the coworking movement and you continue to drive it forward with purpose, humanness, connection, service and an all-in approach to growing your brand community.

In the extended coworking community, we have operators who have been around for a long time—the amazing people who pioneered this industry—and we have fresh-faced newcomers who are full of enthusiasm, energy and questions.

Here are nine resources to help you work better, smarter, more informed and deeply connected to your humans—no matter what stage of the coworking journey you’re in.

1. The Lab

The Lab is the marketing club for indie coworking space operators. As I’ve written about before, it is the heart and soul of my work in coworking. The members have taught me more about community than I could ever teach them.

If you’re a community-focused coworking space operator with a growth mindset and a collaborative, generous approach to life and work, your people are waiting for you in The Lab.

2. Coworking Convos

Once a month, the coworking world gathers on Zoom for Coworking Convos, our virtual event for space operators that is a must-do for indies. We bring in the best and brightest in coworking to share their insights, tips and strategies and to help coworking space operators to learn, share and connect.

If you haven’t been to a Coworking Convo, fix that immediately. And if you’re a regular, thank you for bringing your awesomeness month after month! We recently passed 6,000 Coworking Convos participants and we’re just getting started.

3. GCUC

My friends and partners at the Global Coworking Unconference Community (GCUC) have created a coworking epicenter with their outstanding events, community, programming and podcast. 

It was at GCUC that I first experienced the “something more” of coworking; it’s where I met some of my coworking besties; it’s where I grew up as a speaker and presenter; and it’s always been ahead of the curve in terms of what’s coming next for coworking and the workspace industry. IYKYK.

4. This Week in Coworking

I love This Week in Coworking because Hector Kolonas, who curates/wrangles/writes the weekly email, balances big industry moves and trends with news about community and purpose, and he adds in coworking wins and anniversaries as well. This one is a no-brainer for the coworking and flexspace industry.

5. My Thursday Letter

I have some ideas about coworking, content and building brand community, and I’m learning more all the time. So the backlog of things I want to say is real. I create a ton of content sharing my thoughts, insights, tips and shout outs. The CJ Co content calendar is a busy place and sometimes things get bumped. 

But the one thing that is non-negotiable is my Thursday letter that goes out to 3,000 of you coworking space operators. It’s my opportunity to sit down and write directly to you, from me, about what’s going on, how I see it, where we’re going and how we might get there.

If you’ve been following along with my weekly letters, thank you! Writing to you is a highpoint of my week. If you’re new around here, drop your email here to get the next letter in your inbox.

6. Coworking Out Loud

There are some great coworking podcasts out there and we’re happy to have Coworking Out Loud in the mix. An exploration into the deeper side of coworking, content and community, this show is one of my favorite creative projects. Catch up with 30-plus episodes in your fave podcast player or over on YouTube.

7. Everything Coworking Podcast

Jamie Russo has created the quintessential coworking podcast with Everything Coworking. For 300-plus episodes now, she has shared, well, everything you need to know about opening and operating a profitable coworking space. If you haven’t binge listened to a bunch of episodes yet, today’s a great day to start.

8. Allwork.space

The team at Allwork.Space is creating some of the best content around coworking, remote work, workplace wellness, cultural shifts, changing norms and the future of work. I don’t know how they put out as much relevant, timely, quality content as they do … but they do. 

9. Coworks Blog

My partners at Coworks are a shining example of the power of content to elevate your brand, differentiate, attract your target market, raise industry awareness and serve, serve, serve. If you haven’t seen their blog, head over there asap. I’m certain you’ll find tons of helpful posts and resources. Shoutout to DeShawn, Lauren and the team for going all-in on content.

Further together,
Cat