Coworking spaces are an arrangement of different companies sharing office space and common infrastructure. They have become increasingly popular over the last decade for various reasons, including having a limited budget for an office. Digital nomads, freelancers, and remote employees are often thought of as the common inhabitants of coworking spaces, but there is more to coworking spaces than meets the eye. 

There are many types of people and businesses who take advantage of coworking spaces, and since we have several locations in Houston, here is a breakdown of who uses coworking spaces and why they may use them.

Freelancers

Self-employment doesn’t mean you will always have your own office space. Freelancers are common inhabitants of coworking spaces since having a home office isn’t a guarantee, and even if you do have space for one, the number of distractions can be endless when you are at home. Coworking spaces provide increased productivity, client meeting rooms, a professional mailing address, and a social work environment. 

Remote Workers

Similar to freelancers, employees working from home benefit from coworking spaces in many ways. Being employed in a remote position means having more freedom, and these employees want to utilize their freedom responsibly. Just like freelancers, remote workers benefit from a coworking space offering structure, flexibility, and socialization. 

Independent Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs working on their own, especially in the beginning, need a designated space to figure out the next steps of their business. This kind of work, depending on your industry, can quickly clutter your home space both physically and mentally. That’s why independent professionals use coworking spaces; they are away from home, which is a place to relax, and the space provides everything the professional would need. Some coworking spaces even offer private offices for a higher fee, but it still beats the price of renting a whole office for yourself. 

Startup Teams

Coworking spaces are a fantastic option for startup teams since it provides a central location. Whether the team decides to work there every day, schedule office days, or come for meetings, coworking spaces are a perfect place for everyone to come together, brainstorm ideas, and discuss important matters. 

Plus, the team doesn’t have to break the bank to get this working space! With your rental fee, you also get pre-established common areas like a kitchen or maybe a wellness space. You also don’t have to worry about insurance, management fees, Internet, reinstatement charges, and other overhead costs. All of this is handled by the management team of the coworking space. 

Small to Medium Businesses

A study by Coworker found that about 37.93% of their demographic was made up of small to medium-sized enterprises —which is a higher percentage than startups! As mentioned before, coworking space saves on overhead costs, and they also allow small businesses to grow and connect with other businesses. Since many businesses are under one roof, your professional network can grow easily when your business uses a coworking space. They promote a sense of community, camaraderie, and collaboration. Coworking spaces are also useful while the company is growing since you can typically add space if they’re available.

The Cannon 

As you can see, there are many types of people and businesses who use coworking spaces due to their cost-effectiveness in comparison to renting office space. It also provides a place for client meetings, team gatherings, and infrastructure to support you or your team. They’re not just for digital nomads—small businesses and large companies even use coworking spaces!

The Cannon has five coworking spaces across the Houston area—including West Houston, Downtown, Post Oak, the Esperson Building, and Galveston. We’re also evolving to help more entrepreneurs, startups, and other innovators by opening an office in the Woodforest area north of Houston. We are built to help you thrive, providing free parking, 24/7 access, and a professional mailing address at all of our locations. When you join The Cannon, you also get drop-in access to all Cannon locations, so you can work Downtown one day and Galveston the next!

If you’re not in the Houston area, we still have a community for you. Cannon Connect is an online platform that connects and engages innovators while providing resources, no matter what stage your business is at. Whatever you may need, The Cannon has something to offer to everyone! 

Brad True

Brad oversees all overall day-to-day operations of The Cannon and its growing community, including all current and future Cannon locations and Cannon Connect, The Cannon's new online platform. He holds an undergraduate degree in marketing from Texas A&M and a graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma.