Building Your Successful Business

What is Coworking? The definition of Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared workplace, often an office, and independent activity. Unlike in a typical office, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization.

What is Community? The definition of a Community is a small or large social unit who have something in common, such as norms, religion, values, or identity.

Now...how do those two items help your business grow - Community & Coworking? It’s simple…

When you are running a business you need to keep inspired! In any coworking space there will always be a community of entrepreneurs to connect with and you need this. There is a community of small business owners, already established, and full of knowledge, right there in your local coworking space. They also host events where you can connect with like-minded individuals. Often these entrepreneurs become your inspiration, your friends, your partners, and your emotional support community. Entrepreneurs will listen, because they all need and want to know what you have to say. They will help you figure out what went wrong or what went right so that they can use this knowledge to their mutual benefit. Here are a few benefits of joining a professional coworking space for entrepreneurs:

Learn from each other's mistakes: If you are listening you will be able to see some actions that others in the community are using that may or may not work for you. It is a great way to avoid some major pitfalls in your business by giving you the direction to take, and the possibility of being able to use their adaptations for some great success maneuvers in your own business. Most entrepreneurs I know like talking openly, truthfully, and want direct discussions. Each entrepreneur "gets," to take their turn at success and at failure. Listen and learn and you'll save yourself a lot of headaches.

Exchange tips of the trade: For any entrepreneur, just starting out is so exciting, but this time of beginnings can also be confusing. Having other people that have had some experience be there to give you tips that you can use helps tremendously. You will be able to start off smoothly and keep going strong when the times are tougher. While reading and googling is helpful, it much better to hear actual experiences from entrepreneurs. These exchanges about the tips of the trade will help you have a greater depth in your connections with those within your entrepreneurial community. You will in turn share your tips with other entrepreneurs, and reciprocate the help that you have received.

Pass on knowledge: One of the biggest functions of a coworking space of entrepreneurs is to pass on knowledge that has been gathered from experienced professionals to the less experienced entrepreneurs. It is also a community where you can find a mentor, and/or become a mentor for someone else. In a tight, trusted group of entrepreneurs you create a long standing business partnership and establish a safe place to garner advice when you have a heavy decision to make. You each become a needed person for the other entrepreneurs that are there.

Make connections: Networking is a skill that you will always need in business and in your personal life. If you don't know how to do this naturally, learn it. Making these connections within your coworking space is the greatest reason the community is there. In your network of entrepreneurs you will find that, in time, you will know each other well enough that you can give them a reference if they need one and they will do the same for you. You can do favors for each other and help your entire community grow their businesses and get ahead. This network builds trust and confidence within the coworking community. Willingly helping and encouraging each other raises your whole community to a place of success and accomplishment.

Learn new business skills: A coworking space offers a great opportunity for you and other entrepreneurs is to learn new business skills together. Many coworking spaces host workshops or lunch & learns for business training or personal development. This also an opportunity for you to consider leading a lunch & learn by offering your own skills. Plus, this offers an opportunity to improve your engagement and involvement in the community in an informal manner.

The bottom line is within a coworking space you can grow a successful business if you invest time in your community of entrepreneurs.