Whether you’re an established entrepreneur or just launching your first startup, creativity is an important ingredient in the recipe for any successful business. That said, finding a “creative head space” can be difficult when you’re also juggling clients and project deadlines among other responsibilities. Fortunately, you’re not alone; many small businesses experience the same need.

This is where coworking spaces come in.

But wait - aren’t coworking spaces distracting?

Many people assume that coworking spaces and shared office environments are - for lack of a better term - distracting. In reality, the opposite is true. When you share a space with other, like-minded professionals, the energy and productivity around you is less of a distraction and more of an inspiration to get more work done.

In short, collaborative workspaces can be inspiring.

Coworking spaces are engineered for creativity

Unlike a coffee shop or a typical home office, collaborative office environments are designed to inspire creativity.  

From meeting rooms and private working “cubbies” to open desk environments, office environments like the ones you find at Alley are engineered to make it easier for you to collaborate with those around you.

This goes for both aesthetic design and function. Collaborative offices are designed, decorated, and planned to make your job easier - including the collaborative and creative facets.

Hustling with other go-getters is inspiring

For employees and owners of startup businesses, the “daily grind” is more like the “daily hustle.” You’re busy, and so is everyone else. When you look up from your desk and see other people working toward their own goals, you’re more likely to feel driven toward your own.

Additionally, working in a business-friendly environment is a great way to hold yourself accountable to the time and money you spend on your growing business. When you invest in a designated workspace, you’re more likely to maximize that investment.

Workspaces aren’t one size fits all but coworking spaces come in all sizes

Everyone has a different creative flow. Maybe you like to find a smaller space to plug in and focus, or maybe you enjoy an open environment. If you’re like most people, you’re most productive in both environments depending on the day and the type of work you need to get done.

That’s why coworking spaces are designed to fit everyone’s needs. When you choose a collaborative office environment, you get to decide when and how you work.

You don’t have to worry about the amenities

Working in a shared, collaborative environment also means you don’t have to worry about the basics - like coffee, snacks, and lighting-fast internet. In fact, most collaborative workspaces come fully locked and loaded with all the perks  you’d find in a traditional office environment - and then some! At Alley, these can include:

● Unlimited coffee and tea

● Phone booths for private calls

● Nursing rooms for new moms

● Cleaning services

● Conference rooms

● The option to rent private offices

● High-speed internet

● A personal mailbox

You’ll diversify your network

Amenities are great, but the best perk of working in a collaborative workspace is the people around you. In a large coworking environment, you’ll have the added benefit or working with and around a diverse population of entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and startup teams.

This means you’ll not only be working with individuals who come from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds, but people from different companies who have unique skill sets and perspectives.

Creativity takes time, and coworking lets you pick your schedule

The best business ideas don’t always strike between 9:00 and 5:00. That’s why it’s important for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs to have flexible scheduling options. When you have a membership at a coworking space, you get to pick your own hours and adapt to your own creative needs.

Collaborative spaces can improve your well-being

Working from home can blur the line between personal and professional for your subconscious. When you work from home, your body may have difficulty relaxing or “winding down” after hours.

This can lead to anxiety and difficulty sleeping, but the remedy is simple: Work in a space that is designed for work. That way, you can live in a space that’s designed for the rest of your life.  

Coworking spaces come with a bonus: community managers

Collaborative workspaces want to help you achieve your goals, and many offices are staffed with a designated community manager to help you do this. The role of a community manager is two-fold: to act as a resource for members (you) and to facilitate a healthy and productive office environment between all members.

Often, the community manager will organize social events where you can meet and develop relationships with other entrepreneurs.

This means you’ll have the opportunity to brainstorm and learn from other people in the coworking community. In the end, the community manager is there to make your life easier and to help you get the most out of the many benefits the collaborative workspace has to offer.

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