Co-working spaces have in the last few years become a permanent fixture in the landscape of the sharing economy. A mainstay in start-up culture worldwide. But now they’re going a step further as the number of location independent entrepreneurs continues to rise.
We Work, Workbar, and other popular subscription based co-working spaces are fantastic. They have absolutely solved for a need in the market, carving themselves out a niche within the small-business and freelance communities. Bootstrapping businesses in need of inspiring, creative, and collaborative workspaces must look no further.
For a monthly fee typically much less than rent or the overhead costs on your own place, you can have an office. That’s an amazing thing for those who’ve outgrown their corner table in the local Starbucks and need something a bit more professional. The barrier to entry is now incredibly low!
But there’s a new trend on the rise as entrepreneurs become more mobile, and more focused on location independent work. The nomadic entrepreneur doesn’t need a monthly subscription to access conference rooms in a co-working office. He needs a soundstage in San Francisco’s Mission District one day and an event space in Oakland the next. She needs to bring a client to “her” corner office overlooking the waterfront in Boston’s Innovation District and then host a strategy workshop in London 3 days later.
For these nomadic entrepreneurs, one option is not enough. Their work is as sporadic and varied as their travel schedule. That’s why now, there are services popping up that aim to aggregate the workspace options out there, and provide one easy way to find the perfect space for your ever-changing needs.
For the wherever, whenever, whatever workplace, I turn to the three following services.
PEERSPACE
“Book creative spaces that inspire.” Peerspace, in my opinion, is one of the coolest options out there for booking a workspace because it offers much more than just your typical desk or conference room. Studio spaces, lofts, warehouses, and even an old train station – the available spaces are pretty inspiring for the creative professional who’s work is variable and who’s life is mobile.
For off-site creative meetings, events, and productions, this will be your go-to (assuming you live and work between Los Angeles and San Francisco). While right now they’re a little geographically limiting, Peerspace is definitely poised to expand. The next two options are more suited for the globetrotting entrepreneur.
DESKTIME
If you happen to own a great workspace, but you travel often, Desktime turns that empty desk into cash for your adventures. But more likely, you’ll use Desktime to find a great workspace when you’re on the go around the world. From Berlin to Barcelona, and Boulder to Buenos Aires, Desktime has you covered.
They’ve really created a beautifully simple, elegant way to find the space you need where and when you need it, with filters for desired amenities, and search views by list or map. This is definitely one site to keep bookmarked if you work from the road often.
SHAREDESK
This one I already mentioned in The Newest Names in Travel Hacking, but they definitely fit the bill for this post too. Their motto? “Work, anywhere.”
ShareDesk is very similar to Desktime, and is described as “the Airbnb for offices.” They boast an impressive 2,400 workspaces across 440 cities in 70 countries. Basically, for mobile workers, it’s a dream come true. And speaking of mobile, the experience is totally mobile responsive, so booking is straight forward and hassle-free when you’re on the go and need to find that quick meeting space or brainstorming basecamp.
What do you use to find the right workspace, where and when you need? I love finding out about the best new services out there for nomadic entrepreneurs, and so do my readers. Please share in the comments below!
