Flex Uncensored - A Coworking Podcast

What happens when growth starts going wrong? For Chiko Abengowe, founder and CEO of Perfect Office Solutions, the past year brought some of his biggest business challenges yet — from a location that didn't work out to a building shutdown that left his team and tenants without access, and a fire that caused more than $70,000 in damage. And this episode gets very real about what happens behind the growth. Chiko shares what he learned from those setbacks, how he approached difficult landlord situations, and why he believes failures can actually prepare you for the next success. We also get into: How Perfect Office Solutions uses sales contests and incentives to drive specific business goals. Why Chiko makes sales activity visible across the team. How different revenue streams have their own managers, bonuses, and incentives. What happened when one of his locations had to close after a building was shut down. The lessons he learned about leases and working with large landlords. How a $70K+ fire reinforced the importance of insurance for coworking members. Why Chiko continues to build multiple businesses at the same time. How he handles team members who aren't meeting expectations. Why he believes you're either growing or dying — there's no in-between. How setbacks have shaped the way he approaches the next opportunity. There's a lot in this conversation about revenue, leadership, team culture, expansion, and the reality of building a business when everything doesn't go according to plan. If you've ever wondered what the less visible side of coworking growth looks like, this is an episode you'll want to hear. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Chiko Abengowe on LinkedIn Perfect Office Solutions website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What happens when a marketer steps into coworking and starts looking at the business from the outside? In our latest podcast episode, Jamie and Gio sit down with Jackie Latragna, a marketer who went from answering phones at an executive suite at 21 to becoming a fractional CMO working with coworking operators. Jackie shares some great lessons on what she's seeing across the industry, including: Why owners need to find ways to step away from day-to-day operations The importance of ruthlessly evaluating your processes before scaling How to turn the knowledge of your location teams into actual strategy Why community involvement can be one of your most powerful marketing tools How ThinkSpace brought more than 2,000 people through its space during Seattle Tech Week Why smaller operators shouldn't feel like they need to replicate what larger brands are doing How to think about CRM and technology decisions without automatically reaching for the biggest platform Why marketers and operators should look outside coworking for ideas and inspiration The role of SEO, AEO, AI tools, reporting, and measurable marketing outcomes Why a little friction and different perspectives can actually lead to better ideas One of Jackie's biggest themes throughout the conversation is simple: don't let the day-to-day keep you from looking at the bigger opportunity. If you're trying to grow your coworking business without getting buried in the weeds, this one is worth a listen. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Jackie Latragna on LinkedIn BLANKSPACES Coworking website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What does it take to grow a coworking portfolio across multiple markets without relying on a one-size-fits-all playbook? According to Greg Miley, Chief Commercial Officer at Clockwise, it starts with understanding that every location has its own unique challenges, customers, and opportunities. In this episode, Greg shares how Clockwise operates 18 assets across 17 cities throughout the UK and Europe, and how the company approaches growth across a highly distributed portfolio. From entering new markets to building local awareness, Greg explains why successful flex operators need to understand the dynamics of each market instead of applying the same strategy everywhere. In this episode, we talk about: How Clockwise grew a portfolio across 17 different cities Why every coworking market requires a different sales and marketing strategy How operators can identify the right channels for each location Why brokers remain an important part of the flex workspace ecosystem Why general managers are critical to creating visibility and relationships outside the building How Clockwise uses CRM data to understand lead sources, conversions, and growth opportunities The importance of choosing the right buildings and understanding market demand Why flexible workspace adoption continues to grow as companies rethink traditional offices How Greg's experience as both a broker and operator influences his approach to partnerships As the flexible workspace industry continues to mature, the operators who combine strong local relationships, smart data practices, and a deep understanding of their customers will be the ones positioned for sustainable growth. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Greg Miley on LinkedIn Clockwise Offices website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What happens when a former chef helps build one of the fastest-growing cowarehousing companies in the country? You get a fascinating perspective on where flexible workspace is headed next. In this episode, Andrew Runnette shares how his career took him from restaurant kitchens to Whole Foods, then into food tech, and eventually to helping scale Portal Warehousing across the U.S. What stood out most to me is how closely the evolution of cowarehousing mirrors the early days of coworking. At its core, it isn't just about warehouse space. It's about giving businesses the flexibility to grow without committing to traditional industrial leases—and creating space that adapts as those businesses evolve. In this episode, we talk about: Andrew's journey from chef to Whole Foods executive to scaling Portal Warehousing How Portal expanded from one location to multiple markets across the U.S. Why flexibility is becoming just as important in industrial real estate as it is in coworking The KPIs operators should be tracking before expanding to new locations Common layout and operational mistakes that limit growth How AI is helping operators connect systems, benchmark performance, and make smarter decisions Why Andrew believes "space as a service" is the future of both coworking and cowarehousing One insight that really stuck with me was Andrew's view that the future isn't about selling office space or warehouse space—it's about creating flexible solutions that help businesses grow. Whether you're already exploring industrial flex space or simply curious about where the flexible workspace industry is heading, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what's next. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Andrew Runnette Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What happens when someone leaves a career at the United Nations to open a coworking space in a small town? That's exactly what Alanna Imbach, Founder and CEO of Vibe Coworks, did. Alanna spent 17 years working around the world, including with the UN World Food Programme and WaterAid, before returning to her hometown of Poulsbo, Washington. What started as a search for a place where she and her husband could continue working remotely became Vibe Coworks. In this episode, we talk about: How Alanna's first experience with coworking happened at Grind in New York City Why she originally thought coworking was a terrible idea and what changed her mind The decision to leave a global career and return home to build something locally Designing a coworking space from the ground up after visiting dozens of spaces around the world How Vibe Coworks became part of a unique mixed-use building that includes a restaurant, chocolate shop, liquor store, and speakeasy The creation of Matchstick Lab and its work supporting entrepreneurship in the community Building a culture where people get to know each other as people first, not just by what they do for work Why Alanna believes people should be able to do the work they love from the place they love. This conversation is a great reminder that coworking can be about much more than workspace. It can be about creating connections, supporting entrepreneurs, and helping people build meaningful careers without leaving the communities they care about. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Alanna on LinkedIn Vibe Coworks website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

AI is making it easier than ever to do more. The question is: should we? In this episode, Giovanni Palavicini and I ended up having one of those conversations that started with AI and somehow turned into business growth, health data, sleep, travel, expansion, productivity, and the challenge of keeping up with everything. What struck me most is that we're all having the same experience right now. AI is helping operators build dashboards, monitor sales performance, analyze CRM activity, automate reporting, and even build websites in a fraction of the time it used to take. But instead of creating more free time, many of us are using that efficiency to pile on even more work. A few moments that stood out: We talked about how AI is giving operators visibility into their businesses that would have been incredibly difficult just a year ago Gio shared how health tracking and bloodwork data forced him to confront the reality that he can't operate at 47 the same way he did at 27 We discussed why so many operators are desperate for practical AI use cases instead of theoretical discussions We explored how business owners often discover their biggest challenges aren't revenue problems, they're operational and expense problems We talked about the tension between growth ambitions and the personal capacity required to sustain them One of my favorite themes from the conversation was that data doesn't lie. This was a real conversation about what it looks like to build businesses, embrace new technology, and navigate the reality that our time and energy are finite. Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What happens when a coworking operator stops thinking like a coworking operator… and starts thinking like a hospitality brand? That's exactly what Uri Isken and Gabriel Isken are building at HIT. And honestly, this conversation completely expanded my perspective on what enterprise flex space can become. HIT now operates 13 locations across Argentina, Chile, and Brazil with 94% occupancy, serving major enterprise clients like Google, Accenture, TikTok, and L'Oréal. But what really stood out to me is that coworking is only part of the story. In this episode, we talk about: How HIT generates 30% of its revenue from wellness, events, and food & beverage Why enterprise clients increasingly want one trusted operator to handle everything How they turned rooftops and common areas into profitable event venues Why Argentina's changing business climate is fueling demand for premium flex space What it takes to serve large enterprise clients across multiple countries How they transformed a historic horse carriage garage into one of the coolest flex spaces I've seen One of my favorite moments in the episode was hearing how Gabriel joined HIT at 19 years old as the company's very first employee working the front desk… and eventually became partner as the company scaled across LATAM. If you're thinking about the future of enterprise flex space, hospitality-driven operations, or how coworking operators can create entirely new revenue streams… this episode is packed with ideas. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Uri Iskin on LinkedIn Gabriel Bucher on LinkedIn HIT Cowork Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What percentage of your market is actually flexible office space… and does that number even matter? I loved this conversation with Jim Groves, founder of Rubberdesk, because he completely reframed how we think about supply, demand, and what tenants actually see when they're searching for space. Jim built Rubberdesk around one core idea: transparency. Not just more data, but better, usable data that helps tenants actually make decisions and helps operators understand what's really happening in the market. We also dig into: Why lack of transparency leads to poor pricing and bad customer experiences How AI is transforming brokerage, from instant shortlists to real-time market insights The massive diversity in today's coworking product… from bare-bones offices to spaces with saunas, ice baths, and golf simulators Why brokers need better tools (and how Rubberdesk is building them) What the future of flex looks like in an uncertain economic environment If you're trying to understand where flex is really headed… or how to position your space in an increasingly competitive and diverse market… this one is worth your time. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Jim Groves on LinkedIn Rubberdesk website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What if the future of work isn't about better offices… but no offices at all? We had the chance to sit down with Amina Moreau, CEO and co-founder of Radious, and I'm still thinking about this conversation. Amina's journey is anything but linear. From a psych degree and a passion for photography… to building a storytelling company that won five Emmys… to now reimagining how and where work happens. And what she's building with Radious is one of the most interesting shifts I've seen in our industry. Instead of asking people to commute into a central office, Radious flips the model. It brings work closer to where people actually live. Think homes, neighborhoods, unique spaces that make you feel something… not just another white box conference room. But what really stuck with me wasn't just the model. It was how deeply Amina understands people. In this episode, we talk about: Why the commute is still the biggest barrier to returning to the office How unique spaces create memorable team experiences that last for years The surprising shift in what people actually want from a workspace How Radious is tapping into residential areas to rethink access to work What it really takes to deliver a hospitality-level experience outside of traditional offices The role of storytelling in building and scaling a disruptive company Amina is building something bold. But she's also grounded in what matters most. People, relationships, and creating experiences that actually improve how we live and work. If you're thinking about the future of flex, commuting, or what "the office" even means anymore… this one will get you thinking. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Amina Moreau on LinkedIn Radious Website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What if the real KPI for your coworking space isn't occupancy… but connection? I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Brandon Houston, and this conversation stuck with me long after we hit stop. Brandon is quietly building something really special in a small town in Ontario. His space, The Foundry, is 7,000 square feet in a community of just 26,000 people… and it's thriving. Not because of private offices or fancy amenities, but because of something most operators still undervalue: community. He's built a system that tracks how members interact, who they're building relationships with, and how connected they are to the community. Every member even has a "pulse score" based on their engagement. Brandon also shares: Why small, rural coworking spaces can absolutely thrive How automation and AI can support operators without replacing the human touch The surprising demand for social events over traditional programming Why open space and "collisions" matter more than maximizing office count And maybe my favorite part… hearing how deeply personal this work is for him. From friendships to business partnerships to even meeting his partner, so much of his life has come from the community he's built. This is one of those conversations that reminds you why coworking matters. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Brandon Houston Huwart on LinkedIn Collingwood Foundry website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast