Meet Chiko Abengowe.

Discover the inspiring journey of Chiko Abengowe, founder of Perfect Office, as he shares his transition from staffing industry professional to owning 20 coworking locations in the DMV area.

From Tenant to Tycoon: Learn how Chiko’s entrepreneurial spirit and a knack for problem-solving led him to create his first coworking space, eventually expanding to a thriving network of locations.

Unique Business Model: Explore the diverse offerings of Perfect Office, catering to entrepreneurs from various industries, including beauty, healthcare, and professional services, and how this model stands out in the coworking market.

Team and Culture: Hear about Chiko’s innovative team culture, including monthly and annual incentives, gamification of sales, and the impact of a motivated and passionate workforce on business growth.

Challenges and Triumphs: Gain insights into the challenges Chiko faced, from securing funding and managing multiple businesses to creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, and how he overcame them to achieve remarkable success.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Chiko 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

• From Suburbs to City Center: Discover how Beth DeGraffenreid, founder of Essential Offices, transitioned her coworking business from the suburbs to the bustling heart of Oklahoma City​​.
• Evolving with the Times: Beth shares her journey of continuously adapting Essential Offices' business model and revenue streams to meet changing market demands and economic challenges​​.
• Community and Hospitality: Learn about Beth’s commitment to creating a welcoming environment that makes clients look good in front of their customers, a strategy that has led to high retention and long-term relationships​​.
• Strategic Growth: Explore the strategic moves Beth made, including building new spaces, rebranding, and enhancing service offerings, to expand and strengthen Essential Offices' presence​​.
• Personal Insights: Get a glimpse into Beth’s personal life, balancing her role as a business leader with being a grandmother and caretaker, all while maintaining her passion for coworking​​.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Beth on LinkedIn

• Essential Offices website

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

Meagan Slavin, COO of 25N Coworking shares her perspective on

• What makes management agreements work
• The importance of team
• Making partnerships thrive

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Meagan on LinkedIn

• 25N Coworking website

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

Shlomo Silber loves building stuff. Businesses, Houses. Friendships....although he hopes that Peter Chee never calls him again so he doesn't have to say yes to another near-death experience hiking at extreme temperatures during a friendly pre-industry-conference outing.

Here, in Shlomo's own words on LinkedIn, what he's up to:

"Now it's time to take all of that passion and energy, paired with my expertise in construction, development, and design, and pour it all into my next venture:

The Kodokan Group, a design consultancy firm that brings your vision to life, from new-build residential buildings to office spaces, hotels and beyond.

At The Kodokan Group, we live and breathe design. We're passionate about transforming spaces to create uplifting vibes and experiences for the end clientele. Whether you're an operator, landlord or tenant, The Kodokan Group will help you value engineer, design and invigorate your space to unlock its full potential."

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Shlomo on LinkedIn

• Bond Collective website

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

Philip Freeman, CEO of Murphy’s Naturals and Founder of The Loading Dock, transformed his garage startup into a leading natural products company and created groundbreaking co-warehousing spaces that cater to modern entrepreneurs.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• From Farm Life to Entrepreneurship: Philip’s unique path from growing up on a Virginia farm to becoming a successful business leader.
• Creating Murphy’s Naturals: How Philip solved his wife’s mosquito woes and built a thriving natural products brand from his garage.
• Launching The Loading Dock: The origin story of The Loading Dock and its role in offering flexible, community-oriented workspaces.
• Navigating Business Challenges: Real-world insights into dealing with space constraints and the complexities of business growth.
• Fostering a Vibrant Culture: How Philip’s commitment to respect and fun drives team success and a positive work environment.
• Co-Warehousing for Small Markets: Exploring the advantages and potential of co-warehousing in smaller communities and less populated areas.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Murphy’s Naturals – Learn more about the natural products Philip developed.
• The Loading Dock – Discover the co-warehousing spaces founded by Philip.
• B Corp Certification – Information on B Corp certification and its benefits.
• Traction by Gino Wickman – The book Philip referenced for business strategy.
• The Body Shop – Learn about the company that inspired Philip’s approach to business.

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Ramon Gonzalez, co-founder and CEO of Thrive Coworking, who grew up in the Bronx, navigating life in the projects with big dreams and a drive to succeed. Influenced by his uncle’s foray into real estate, Ramon initially found success in property management—a job he describes as thankless. Driven by a desire to build a company that prioritizes culture and people, Ramon turned his attention to coworking.

Inspired by local coworking pioneer Rome, he launched Thrive Coworking in 2015, and today it is 20 locations strong across Atlanta and the Southeast. Ramon shares how his faith and passion for community have shaped Thrive’s mission, including their growing philanthropic efforts. We explore Thrive’s business model, which primarily involves leasing spaces, sometimes owning them, and occasionally managing them under different agreements.

Ramon talks about the challenges they faced during COVID-19 and how they’ve managed to recover and continue expanding. He emphasizes the importance of sustainable growth, focusing on multiple locations within a market. Bozeman, Montana, is their latest venture, already 70% pre-sold despite the small local population, showcasing Thrive’s knack for spotting and meeting community needs.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Ramon on LinkedIn

Thrive Coworking website

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

Our guest on this episode is Kane Willmott, co-founder and CEO of IQ Offices and a prominent figure in the flex office industry.

We dive into Kane's journey from aspiring accountant to leading the largest Canadian-owned coworking operator.

The dialogue covers the intricacies of the flex office market, the impact of COVID-19, and the evolution of coworking models. Kane also shares his personal journey into triathlons and marathons, highlighting the parallels between personal challenges and entrepreneurial resilience.

We also talk about the importance of community and mentorship within the coworking industry, offering valuable insights into the future of work spaces and the enduring power of passionate involvement in one's work.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Kane Willmott on LinkedIn

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast