Coworking spaces used to be seen as a place for freelancers who were tired of working out of coffee houses for or being shushed at the library. Or, for those who were looking for the professional interaction that they couldn’t get staying at home.
The concept has impressively matured and expanded, and today, coworking spaces are a new normal for startups!
Coworking spaces are a cost-effective way for budding entrepreneurs like you to overcome the roadblocks associated with the price and commitment of permanent office space. By design, they foster community and offer opportunities for networking and growth.
Keep reading to see if one here in Miami could be right for you.
Affordability is a major draw
Renting or buying traditional commercial office space normally requires signing a long-term lease along with some kind of deposit. Coworking space is like a club membership: you rent by the month, with some offering weekly, hourly, or even pay-as-you-go options.
With traditional office space, you need to budget for office furniture and equipment. Coworking memberships include all of this, and more:
- A desk & chair, a dedicated desk, or a private office (depending on your membership level)
- High-speed internet (wired or WiFi)
- Access to a shared printer/scanner/copier
- Bookshelf space
- Free coffee/tea and kitchen facilities
- The use of a conference room
- A community liaison, a front desk assistant, tech support, and mail delivery
- Premises maintenance and cleaning
Flexible and community-oriented
Coworking space is also flexible, meaning, as your team grows, you can add memberships. If you hope to grow into a business of 10, where do you work when you’re a business of three? With traditional office space, that becomes a budget dilemma—do you invest in a space that’s suited for you now, or suited for your future growth? With a coworking space, it’s not even a question you need to ask.
The environment is all about fostering community. Because so many different businesses are there in an open setting, you can network and collaborate with a diverse mix of professionals. These spaces also offer free social events and professional development programs geared toward entrepreneurs and the local business community. I wouldn’t be surprised if you met someone at your coworking space who became instrumental in growing your business!
Miami is HOT for Coworking
I love this description of the how Miami coworking communities are promoting business development: “These innovative workspaces and serendipitous interactions are important parts of the connective tissue that makes a community possible.” – TheNewTropic.com
If you’re thinking of joining one, there are dozens to choose from locally. Just a few include:
Yes, it’s possible for your small company to have a prestigious city address, plus all of the benefits of an in-house professional network. And the best news of all—coworking spaces remove many of the cost predicaments associated with committing to a traditional office space. Money you can spend on growing your business into Miami’s next leading company!
