Benefits of Private Offices in Coworking Spaces

Coworking spaces draw images of people gathered and working together. Shared workspaces are great and a preferred option for startups, students and entrepreneurs because they offer a collaborative environment that is also cost-effective for your business. Working in shared spaces gives you opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have either working from home or working in a traditional workplace, which is why so many companies have shifted to this model of working with their teams.

The Best of Both Worlds

However, sometimes sitting right next to someone doesn’t meet your needs. Everyone needs privacy for certain work duties, and working in a shared space does not mean that you have to sacrifice that privacy. Some conversations are not for many people to listen in on and some industries also have strict compliance guidelines that require a certain level of privacy and security surrounding their personal information. For these reasons, many coworking spaces have begun to offer private offices as part of their membership packages. 

Having a private furnished space offers the benefits of both the traditional office and coworking settings. If you need a space for private meetings, interviews and other private work but don’t have a permanent place to take these meetings in, having use of an office in a coworking space gives you that needed space. Because your company rents that office you have the authority to schedule meetings and have drop-ins come there—even though it is not your business’s brick and mortar office space, you can have a place to call your own. 

Creating a Private, Collaborative Environment

Some startups and entrepreneurs even opt to use a private office in a coworking building as a way for their entire team to have a professional workplace. This offers startups the opportunity to collaborate as a team, while also giving them the privacy they need to discuss new ideas, products or services. 

Renting private offices in coworking spaces is more cost-effective than leasing an entire office building, or a space in a large corporate building, and still offers the same advantages to your team that these traditional spaces do: collaboration and a sense of belonging and team ability. 

A Sense of Permanence

An added benefit to a private office is the security to leave your work at the office. Many people don't feel comfortable leaving their belongings out in the open overnight and instead, choose to carry their work gear back and forth daily. With an office, you can leave your things behind with the peace of mind that they are safe. 

Whatever your reasons may be—a need for privacy, a meeting space, somewhere to leave your work so it doesn't follow you home every night—a coworking space, and specifically a private office in a coworking space, just might be your and your business's answer. 

The Future of Coworking Spaces

Depending on whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, you may have loved or hated the stay-at-home orders. Working from home definitely has positives and negatives for both sides, though. If you’ve been managing both work and children? 2020 was a tough year. On the other hand, if you enjoy rolling out of bed and shuffling to the kitchen table to work in your pajamas? Then the WFH protocol wasn’t that bad! Some of us experienced productivity boosts while others fell behind due to outside pressures affecting out day-to-day.

But what will things look like once the masks are off and out regular, “normal” office life beckons?

Coworking Spaces are Increasingly In Demand

Some companies will begin to calculate what they’ll save by allowing workers to work where they like—and some already have. Without the overhead of a full-time office, businesses can shift funds elsewhere. Better financials are great, but where does that leave us—the human employees that, at least some of the time, crave human interaction?

The Best Spaces Will Offer the Best of Both Worlds

The answer to this question may just be a revamped version of what we started doing this past year. Maintaining an office space—maybe a smaller one meant for less people—where employees can tune in and meet when they need to, while still having the option to work from home when they don’t.

Coworking spaces were popular before the pandemic for freelancers, startups and other small businesses who may not have had the resources for a full office space. Now, even large companies are looking into coworking space options for their teams. Giving their employees the option to work from home and come in when they need, while allowing their top level employees to work as a unit in the office offers a unique environment.

Benefits of Coworking Spaces

A benefit for smaller businesses, especially those that may have struggled during the height of the pandemic, is that renting a few desks, a conference room, or a portion of a floor of a coworking building is a lot cheaper than paying utilities on their permanent office space.

Not having to pay utility bills, rent, maintenance, internet and other costs enables these businesses to allocate those funds to other areas they need it can help fuel small business’s growth post-pandemic.

The benefits to coworking spaces are not just financial. No matter how many Zooms, Google Hangouts, etc. we have all been a part of this past year, there will always be meetings that need to happen face-to-face. HR conversations, strategy meetings and other sensitive topics are best handled in person. Coworking spaces give employees the ability to come in for these conversations and maintain the sense of community working in-person with each other gives us.

Coworking spaces are also great for networking with other small businesses and sharing ideas. This creates an even greater sense of camaraderie in the office space, as well as adds creativity to your team.

Future of Coworking Spaces

If remote work has taught us anything, it’s that people enjoy flexibility and freedom in how they work—be this your location, the hours you work, or anything else that makes your work experience more conducive to your life. Coworking spaces are not new, but are definitely surging in popularity. They offer the flexibility that people have adjusted to and learned to thrive in this year.

Because we don’t necessarily have to commute to our jobs anymore, secondary cities like Nashville and Sacramento will grow as people leave their larger cities. Higher quality of life combined, lower cost of living, and the job flexibility you need to be your most productive? Who could argue with that? After business owners have seen the way their teams adapted this last year, a more flexible work environment only seems like the natural progression of the regular workplace.

Why Telehealth Counselors can Benefit from a ThriveCo Membership

The demand for flexible working solutions is growing, especially now. And it's not just freelancers and entrepreneurs that need coworking spaces, private office rentals, or virtual office memberships. In fact, professionals such as telehealth therapists are seeking these services as well. 

We believe that telehealth practitioners, particularly those in the mental health field, will benefit from the range of services we provide at ThriveCo. Here's why. 

Help patients online while enjoying the amenities and perks of a ThriveCo membership!

What is Telehealth?

Telehealth is healthcare plus technology; it's the use of digital communication tools, like computers and mobile devices, to provide access to health care services remotely and to manage care. From live video conferencing to mobile mental health apps, telehealth gives patients and health professionals greater access than ever before. 

For mental health counselors and other therapists, telehealth is really a game-changer. With it, doctors and licensed counselors can reach their patients quickly and help them manage their symptoms. Teens and adults who are at risk for mental health issues like depression or drug abuse can receive the help they need within seconds.  

Telehealth Benefits Patients and Practitioners

For practitioners, telehealth offers greater connection and more opportunities to provide counseling and care. With the lightning-speed connection that our laptops and Smartphones provide, mental health professionals can offer treatment that is more efficient, better coordinated, and personalized to patient needs. 

And now, they can do it all without the overhead of a clinic or office building! All most telehealth therapists need is a laptop, reliable internet connection, and a headset.  

Why Coworking can Help Telehealth Practitioners Grow Their Client Base and Treat Patients More Effectively

At ThriveCo, we've witnessed our new members' surprise when they realize how useful our services can be. 

They learn, for example, that they can maintain a mailing address outside of their home address, which offers them safety and meets the requirements set by banks and insurance companies. They learn that they have access to meeting rooms and offices, at any time, for emergency in-person client sessions. 

A ThriveCo virtual office gives mental health professionals the freedom to work anywhere they like, plus access to an office, a community, and full amenities when they need them. For telehealth therapists and other practitioners, a virtual office or part-time private office really can change everything. 

ThriveCo Offers Solutions Custom Designed for Telehealth Counselors

ThriveCo is centered around providing things doctors, business owners, and telehealth practitioners need in the St. Louis area: flexibility, community, and access—elements that have never been more important than they are right now. 

In today's quickly changing environment, remote workers can bring their visions to life with the support that ThriveCo provides. 

Learn more about ThriveCo's virtual offices and other office solutions, as well as our mission to help telehealth businesses in St. Louis thrive. Contact us to schedule a tour!

ThriveCo Founders Katie and Alex Silversmith Explain Why a Virtual Office Can Benefit Your Business

“There’s a demand for flexible office space, especially now.”

— Katie & Alex Silversmith

From their vantage point, coworking looks a little different post-COVID. Companies have realized that working from home is more doable than they previously imagined. Some workers are taking hobbies and freelancing gigs out of leisure time and into new, full-time businesses. And, while many freelancers enjoy being able to do business wherever and however they like, they still want a community—AND a place to go. 

That's why the founders of ThriveCo think that coworking spaces and virtual office solutions are on an upward trend.

A Post-COVID World Requires Virtual Solutions 

At ThriveCo, community is at the heart of every decision Katie and Alex make. They don't believe that freelancers and entrepreneurs should have to do everything alone. In fact, Katie encourages her members to "use your contacts, your network, and your community." 

At ThriveCo, that community exists to help entrepreneurs innovate and grow in today's challenging environment. 

According to Katie and Alex, these shifts in the coworking field may be permanent. Here's why: 

• Businesses don't want to spend the overhead to maintain a permanent office when remote work is not only possible, but desirable. 

• Businesses want a presence in more locations—near where their employees work and live—at an affordable price. 

• Freelancers are more prominent in today's environment, and they are looking for support that suits their unique way of working. 

Entrepreneurs of all shapes and sizes crave community and support from others in the business community. ThriveCo provides that.

So, What is a Virtual Office? 

A virtual office gives individuals and teams the freedom to work anywhere they like, plus access to an office and community when they need it, providing a stable physical mailing address and full office amenities. A virtual office can be particularly helpful for freelancers and entrepreneurs because they gain an office space without the costly overhead of a lease. A ThriveCo virtual office includes: 

• A prestigious physical mailing address (not a P.O. box) for business mail and a Google listing

• Mail retrieval and forwarding services

• Access to discounted hourly office and meeting room rentals

• Access to add-on phone answering and a virtual receptionist service, made possible through a partnership with ThriveCo member, The SAVA Group

• Access to other office amenities and services

ThriveCo Offers Solutions Custom Designed for Today's Remote Workers 

Founders Alex and Katie believe that ThriveCo is uniquely positioned to support small businesses during this time. That's because their business model is centered around providing things entrepreneurs and freelancers need in the St. Louis area: flexibility, community, and access—elements that have never been more important than they are right now. 

ThriveCo offers a one-stop shop for everything entrepreneurs need to grow their business. They also host regular events that are designed to help companies grow, network, and learn new skills. 

In today's quickly changing environment, remote workers can bring their visions to life with the support that ThriveCo provides to the St. Louis community. 

Learn more about ThriveCo's virtual office solution and their mission to help businesses in St. Louis thrive or schedule a tour today.

ThriveCo is Dedicated to Supporting the St. Louis Business Community

We believe that a sense of community is key to St. Louis' success. In our vision for this region, we see a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming entrepreneurial ecosystem. It's our mission at ThriveCo to support and uplift our community with access to office space and tools business owners need. 

Despite the Challenges of the Pandemic, St. Louis is Still Highly Ranked for Entrepreneurs

Since the early 2010s, St. Louis has been recognized as an exciting scene for startups and entrepreneurs. Recently, our city was listed among the top 10 best cities for remote workers. 

"Being an entrepreneur in St. Louis right now reminds me of what it felt like to be an entrepreneur in Silicon Alley in New York in the mid 1990s," says Andrew Smith of the St. Louis Regional Chamber." The sense of community, the momentum, the breadth of opportunity--it's really just a great place to be." 

Despite the economic pain brought about by a worldwide pandemic, we're still fighting. As one of the metropolitan areas in our country trying to establish a better, more equitable economy for its citizens, St. Louis continues to receive acclaim. And it's easy to see why! 

St. Louis is affordable, with a lower cost of living than any city you'd find on the coast. We're also family-friendly and we offer plenty of green spaces, including our very own Forest Park. With NGA and other big firms investing in the area, we're well-positioned to move forward in the roaring 2020s. If you're looking for an affordable location that's abuzz with creative energy, we've got it. 

There's No "Going Back to Normal" Post-Pandemic

Social distancing has become a normal feature of coworking in 2020 and 2021.

There's no question that the world has changed. The norms that once tied us to cubicles and desktops are slipping away, and increasingly, employees work remotely. Side gigs are becoming businesses and freelancers are taking their expertise into consulting. From where we stand, there's no better time to embark on a new career. 

We believe that the field of coworking will look very different over the next few years, as more companies realize that what they considered essential before--like a brick-and-mortar office space and a long-term lease--isn't all that necessary after all. 

What is still necessary, however, is a sense of community. As an entrepreneur or freelancer, embarking on a fresh new path, you still need a place to go where you can see friends and get advice from fellow business owners. 

Our Advice to Entrepreneurs Begins and Ends with Community

We encourage the entrepreneurs we work with to find their tribe. There's no need to do it all alone when there's a network and a built-in startup community available! Now is NOT a bad time to start a new business. On the contrary, we're convinced that entrepreneurs are well-positioned, at this very moment, to innovate and make change. Under pressure, entrepreneurs often thrive. They're problem-solvers; we are, too. And we're proud to offer workers the tools and space they need as you make a fresh start.  

We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to have a thriving business. There may be a scarcity of resources and support in other parts of the country, but not here. At ThriveCo, we offer one of the best and most inclusive support systems in St. Louis. We value individuals of all races, ethnicities, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, religions and socio-economic statuses in their endeavors. We require that our space is a place of respect and appreciation for all people. In our view, there isn't enough of that in our world, and we're committed to being the change we want to see. 

At ThriveCo, we're dedicated to doing our part to keep St. Louis on the map as a welcoming place for startups and remote workers. Contact us to join our community.