fbpx

Coworking enters the mainstream

By Martin Lenkowsky

The concept of companies sharing workspaces is not new, says Laura Kozelouzek, CEO and founder of Quest Workspaces.

“Sharing of space has been around for decades,” she says. “It’s evolved based on workers’ needs and how technology has changed the workplace.” Plus, it’s undergone a name change: “It’s been rebranded ‘coworking,’ and with its most recent popularity, it’s becoming mainstream,” Kozelouzek says.

Executive Suites and Shared Workspaces, which are the subject of this issue’s The List on page 68, have many advantages from both a business and social standpoint.

“Nowadays, people want flexibility in business,” Kozelouzek says. “Long-term leases are very costly and time-consuming. The biggest benefit and draw of coworking is, it provides the applicant the ability to connect, elaborate and attract. People working together can help one another. They can draw on each other’s experience and collaborate.”

Another advantage is socialization, by enabling people to feel they belong to a larger group, she adds.

Asa Sealy, the CEO and branding specialist of A Branding Shop, agrees. His company shares office space on Miami’s Brickell Avenue through Quest Workspaces. “The biggest advantage of coworking is, it gives us access to other companies,” he says. “It’s a light environment. The center programs a lot of outside activities. I applaud them for that.”

Sealy’s company specializes in helping other companies brand and market themselves. By working in proximity to other firms, he’s been able to establish new clients.

Coworking is particularly attractive to work-at-home individuals looking to establish a “virtual address” oftentimes in a prestigious building. Renting even a small space provides access to communal areas, programs and workshops. Companies also can book conference rooms and other space at a center. “It gives them the ability to mingle with others in the lounge,” says Kozelouzek. “It gives a company an opportunity to have a bigger ‘footprint’ at a lower cost.”

Sharing office space is also popular among business people who travel frequently and want to avoid working in relative isolation.

Other amenities available to coworkers might be a full cafe serving—in some cases—lunch and breakfast, as well as informal chatrooms called “huddle” spaces, more formalized conference rooms and boardrooms.

Micki Scavone, general manager at Carr Workplaces, says coworking is very millennial friendly. “They like the concept,” she says. “It’s a very social setting. Some places even sell alcohol during the day and have beer on tap.”

There are many reasons companies might gravitate toward coworking. “It can give them ‘virtual’ use of a business address,” Scavone says. “They might get phone service. They might want to rent a conference room to meet clients rather than at Starbucks.”

Carr Workplaces’ location in Fort Lauderdale (401 E. Las Olas Blvd.) provides its clients with a prominent downtown location, Scavone says. “This makes it possible for them to have a great address,” she says. “It’s status. I have very high client retention. It’s a secure building. We constantly upgrade our technology.”

Scavone says coworking has reversed the trend toward people working out of their homes. “There was no socialization, no collaboration,” she says. “I do social events, educational events. I even did a ‘snuggle’ visit with the Humane Society. They brought in puppies. I’ve done continuing education courses for lawyers.”

Cindy Barr, the director of sales and marketing at Crown Center Executive Suites on West Cypress Creek Road in Fort Lauderdale, says the key to the popularity of coworking is the flexibility it affords. “Folks don’t want the commitment or overhead of a regular office. They don’t need it. They want a well-wired place with reliable internet where they can come and go as they want. It’s ‘easy-peasy,’ as we say. You might want to just have a meeting or conference. You can rent space just for a day.”

Barr says some centers are concentrating on shared spaces. “It’s very strong in urban areas and with millennials,” she says. “Shared space offers something for everyone. People might just share an office. A lot of people in sales need a home base, but not the expense of a full-time office.”

There’s been a trend of those who previously worked at home to seek shared office space, she says: “They were at home but didn’t like the environment of being shut away.” She adds that some people missed being Monday morning quarterbacks at the water cooler: “It’s just a pleasant way to do business.”

Bobby Condon, WeWork general manager for the Southeast, describes his company as a global community providing space and services for businesses of all shapes and stages.

Laura Kozelouzek, CEO and founder of Quest Workspaces
Cindy Barr, the director of sales and marketing at Crown Center Executive Suites on Cypress Creek Road

“Our members include entrepreneurs, freelancers, startups and large corporations,” he says. “We believe that the draw to this type of working environment is size- and industry-agnostic. Our member companies, large and small, find a great return on the benefit of working within an environment that’s positive, collaborative [and] enables them to focus on the work they are passionate about and growing their network without having to deal with the day-to-day operations.”

Condon says WeWork centers offer many desirable amenities. “WeWork members have access to a number of services, including health insurance, an internal social network, weekly events and workshops, and other business services to help them succeed.”♦

You May Also Like
More Than 300 Business Leaders Celebrated the Accomplished Honorees at SFBW’s Annual Prestigious Women Awards

NBC 6 News’s Kristin Sanchez lent her star power as featured emcee, while Island TV was the presenting sponsor of the sold-out event.

Read More
2023 Prestigious Women Awards Honoree: Mayi de la Vega

Mayi de la Vega is a Cuban-American real estate powerhouse, industry innovator, and the first-ever Cuban female Sotheby’s franchise owner. Her family immigrated from Cuba when she was just a

Read More
2023 Prestigious Women Awards Honoree: Dr. Elizabeth King

Dr. Elizabeth King is a successful businesswoman, mental health expert, motivational speaker, author, radio-TV personality, coach, and philanthropist. She is the founder and chief inspiration officer for the Suits, Stilettos

Read More
2023 Prestigious Women Awards Honoree: Pamela Dalton

Pamela M. Dalton is Vice President and Branch Manager of American National Bank, one of the few locally owned independent community banks in Broward County, serving South Florida since 1985.

Read More
Other Posts
Hard Work Pays Off

A food empire is growing in South Florida because of Mike Linder’s focus on food and service and a twist on locations.

Read More
One of the World’s Richest Women Makes a Major Gift

West Palm Beach is poised to establish a core of top-rated medical centers.

Read More
An Unknown Side of Cancun: Enjoy a Luxurious Stay at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa and Bring Your Taste for Adventure

Treat yourself to luxury, relaxation and unforgettable experiences at this fantastic resort.

Read More
Steiger Facial Plastic Surgery Offers Pamper Mom Facial Special

The offering is available through May 31.

Read More

Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.