If you’re a businesswoman, you’ve probably by now debated the benefits of joining an exciting coworking community.
Having your own office and meeting rooms to impress your investors, along with unlimited post-it notes and coffee sounds great, doesn’t it? What was once a Silicon Valley boy’s club is now the ideal choice for women on the frontlines of business and innovation.Take NGIN Workplace, for example. Not only is this coworking community for entrepreneurs ran by a team of women, NGIN’s ladies make up 42% of total members. That’s a lot of women heading startups, growing brands, and coming up with the next big idea!
It’s no surprise businesswomen are ditching their corporate jobs, packing up their home businesses, and headed for the nearest coworking community!
Here are FIVE reasons why coworking rocks for businesswomen:
1. You make the rules
Coworking ladies are savvy entrepreneurs and successful business women. It’s only right that this dynamic group finds a home that caters to their entrepreneurial spirit and passion. Coworking spaces are a whole new breed of offices that allow its members the freedom they so crave to pursue their dreams.
These shared offices are functional too! Coworking spaces are a great alternative to the hassle of finding your business its own office — think no overhead costs. Workspaces like NGIN, cover utilities, WiFi, furniture, printing, etc., so you can invest that money where it really matters!
Whether you’re coming in with a startup or joining as an independent entrepreneur, coworking offices are a great launching pad for your business. With no set hours (see #3), and an air of self-motivation, coworking is perfect for the woman who wants to be in charge of her own life and business.
2. Sense of community
Trying to grow your brand or establish your startup is pretty hard in the confines of your living room. Unless your living room is in one of the Kardashian mansions where money just gravitates to like a black hole, you’re going to need to get out into the world. Coworking spaces not only provide budding entrepreneurs with a professional space to carry out business, but good ones also come with a network of amazing people to work with.
Let’s be honest, we’re social creatures! We love to be a part of a community. Coworking encourages community, partnerships, and friendly competition. Your business will only benefit from being around a great crowd. Find a coworking community where your industry is well represented, that way, you’ll have lots to contribute and gain!
3. No more nine to five
Coworking companies will set different hours for their employees, but being part of a coworking space typically means you aren’t a slave to the corporate clock. This means you get to set your own hours. Whether you want to stay late to put in some extra work on that project or leave early, coworking spaces allow that freedom. No one will judge you whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, because you make the rules, remember?
This is perfect for you, working moms! Because whoever thought parents could get the kids ready and make it into the office by nine had no idea what he was talking about.
4. Goodbye, corporate!
Some women may enjoy the security of working for a big conglomerate (despite gender parity, wage gap, and unpaid maternity leave) but our entrepreneurial ladies are leaders and risk takers who create their own rules. Unlike corporations, the coworking community thrives on creating its own principles and way of life. So long are the days of long, mandatory HR meetings. With the rise of coworking, more and more companies are opting out of stifling corporate life and choosing coworking spaces to grow their businesses — and with good reason. Recent studies show that a social and engaging workplace produces tangible increases in creativity. Which is good news for women who are starting their own businesses!
While coworking spaces are still on the rise, these serendipitous places may get closer to achieving workplace equality than corporations ever will.
5. Health, fitness, & free workout classes!
Many coworking spaces — ahem, NGIN Workplace — encourage healthy living and fitness. These new age offices offer way more than that lousy (and probably malfunctioning), all too familiar vending machine. No successful entrepreneur, man or woman, can run a successful business if their health gets in the way. That’s why many coworking offices now make it a priority to provide around the clock healthy snacks for members so they can satisfy cravings and go back to work guilt free and feeling good.
No health-conscious, hip coworking space would be complete without an exclusive workout session for their members. You can find spaces that offer yoga classes, spinning, organized team runs, CrossFit, and much more. Finding time in the middle of your busy day to squeeze in a quick workout with your coworking buddies is a great way to stay in shape and network with the community! Look for coworking spaces that offer weekly classes or discount passes at local gyms to make the most of your coworking experience. And just as an FYI, NGIN Workplace holds weekly CrossFit sessions to get our member’s blood pumping!
By Stefani Falkowski
