It’s official: Charlotte has become a scooter city. At first, it was only the teens and adventurous South End brewery hoppers utilizing the many Birds and Limes scattered around the Queen City. Now, though, you’re as likely to see a respectable, middle-aged banker Birding down Tryon as you are a millennial. Coworking spaces are the same way. For a long time, shared offices were seen as the purview of creatives and Silicon-Valley hopefuls. In recent years, though, private offices have made coworking an option for professionals across the spectrum in Charlotte.
As a solopreneur or freelancer, there’s a good chance you are already well-acquainted with coworking, and probably have friends that are members in spaces across town. Coworking spaces are best known for their collaborative layouts, easy rental structure, and strong focus on community. Ask someone to picture a Charlotte coworking space, and they might tell you this:
- Communal tables
- Beer on tap
- A busy, upbeat vibe
- Scrappy startups
And all those things can certainly be found in Charlotte coworking spaces. But shared offices are no longer only the realm of solopreneurs, freelancers, and startups. Instead, companies of all shapes, sizes, and stages of growth are utilizing shared office spaces.
Part of this diversification is due to private offices. Even traditional companies, who might prefer or require privacy and need a space to call their own can find that now within a shared office. This mindset shift is summarized well by this Inc.com article, The Case for Private Offices in Coworking Spaces:
“Think coworking is all about sharing desk space with strangers? Not necessarily. You can get your own office within the coworking space that’s just for your team. These private, separate areas offer a space for entire teams to collaborate. At the same time, you get to work surrounded by other companies who are members of the same coworking space.
These independent units combine the benefits of a secluded office with the opportunities of an open coworking space. If you’re a startup or small business, you’ve got the best of both worlds!”
Intrigued? Here’s a roundup of information on private office coworking!
Is a private office right for you?
“Some teams prefer or require more privacy than others- that’s totally fine! A private office in a coworking space is a great middle ground between a traditional office and shared office space. With a private office, teams can enjoy the close-knit experience of sharing one office, while also enjoying the social benefit and flexibility of a coworking space.
In the same vein, some people require zero distraction to do their best work. If this is your style, a private office in a coworking space will give you that time to zero in while also allowing you to mingle with other entrepreneurs and take productive, inspiring breaks.
In addition, if your profession requires you to handle sensitive material often, such as being a lawyer or financial advisor, a private office would be a good option for you.
Highlights:
- Privacy
- Good for teams
- A personal office, with the sociability of coworking”
On cost:
“Anyone who has leased a traditional office can tell you that it can siphon money faster than you can say “Our energy bill is how much?” Leasing your own office often comes with hidden costs that drain your resources (and your energy). Upfront, you’ll have high overhead. Even if you’re an Ikea shopper, desks, break room furniture, couches, light fixtures, and special touches like rugs and artwork will add up. Additionally, in a traditional office rental you will be responsible for internet, utilities, repairs, and equipment such as printers and sound systems.
Renting a private office in a coworking space means all those costs are bundled into one flat, monthly fee, with no surprises. This predictability is great for financial planning. Especially for startups and small businesses, working out of a coworking space will give you access to amenities that would otherwise be too costly. Things like Smart TVs, conference rooms, and privacy suites can really add to both your productivity and capabilities.”
On choosing a location:
“Finally, consider the location of any potential coworking space. Unless your small business is very small, it might be hard to keep everyone’s commute equal. In a city like Charlotte, with so many suburban communities fanned out around the city, choosing an office location should be more about access to the highways, rather than finding somewhere “central” as the crow flies.
Besides the commute, there are other factors to consider when it comes to your ideal office rental location. It’s always a plus to be close to great lunch spots and coffee shops- it can do wonders for productivity to take a midday pause and enjoy a delicious meal, preferably sitting on a patio.
If your small business involves hosting meetings with clients or taking those meetings out of office, bring your client locations into consideration. If they are concentrated in a specific area, it makes sense for you to be close to that area as well.
These are the three basic starting points for choosing the right coworking space for your small business. For more in-depth information about the variety of memberships and amenities offered at coworking spaces, check out these articles here and here! Click the button below to book your tour with The Launch Factory and find out if our shared office space is right for you!”
On commitment:
“This varies from space to space, but in general, coworking spaces will not require long leases, even for private offices. Compare that to traditional office rentals, where you might be locked in for upwards of a year, and it’s clear why private office coworking is a better option for organizations that require flexibility. Especially as a new business, where you may not be able to predict your position a year from now, the ability to scale and adjust your office situation without fuss is a huge bonus.”
