In this episode, Jamie and Gio chat with Kane Willmott, CEO and Co-founder of IQ Offices. Kane takes us on a detailed journey through London’s coworking and flex office landscape. Kane shares his experiences touring some of the most innovative and high-end coworking spaces in the UK, uncovering what North American operators can learn from the Londo…

In this episode of the Flex Uncensored Podcast, Kurt Patrick and Giovanni Palavicini sit down with Annie Draper, Director of Product Strategy for Flex Office at Hines, to talk about her journey in the flex workspace industry, the exciting projects at Hines, and how the company is scaling flexible workspace solutions on a global level. From her earl…

In this episode, Giovanni sits down with Ryan Harris, the largest franchisee of Intelligent Office, to explore his journey from biotech to scaling multiple Intelligent Office locations. Ryan shares his unique story of joining the family business and how his background has shaped his approach to running a successful franchise. We dive deep into his …

In this episode, Gio and I sat down with Eric Gutierrez, US Sales Manager at Accessia, to discuss how technology is transforming the coworking experience. From door access to advanced location services, Eric shares how his team is helping operators enhance member experience and streamline space usage. Whether you’re a coworking operator or a tech e…

In this episode, Gio and I welcome Tom Bruister, Chief Revenue Officer at LiquidSpace. Tom shares his experience from his time at WeWork and beyond, offering unique insights into the evolving flex space industry. What you'll learn: Tom’s journey from leading enterprise business at WeWork to his current role at LiquidSpace. How the pandemic has resh…

Get ready to dive deep into the world of coworking marketing with Kevin Whelan, marketing advisor, educator, and consultant at Everspaces. In this episode, Gio and I dive into Kevin’s journey into the coworking industry and how he helps coworking spaces make smart marketing decisions that drive success. We talked about: Kevin Whelan’s journey from …

In this episode, we sit down with Trent Oswalt, who takes us through his unique career path from a youth pastor to a key player in the coworking and commercial real estate industry. Trent shares his experiences at Common Desk, Industrious, and now, Hines, where he’s helping shape the future of hybrid leasing. This conversation is packed with insigh…

Ian Minor leveraged his deep hospitality background and his passion for innovation to lead the team that brought the coworking concept working from _ to the Hoxton Hotels. The Hoxton Hotels Delightful experiences. Gorgeous, buzzy lobbies. On-point F&B. Community-engaged. The hotel/coworking model is VERY compelling for those that want more than a d…

In this episode, we cover: Understanding SBA Loans: Katelyn provides an overview of what SBA loans are, the different types available, and the benefits they offer, especially for coworking space operators. Richie’s SBA Loan Journey: Richie shares his personal experience with SBA loans, detailing the challenges he faced and how Byline Bank's support…

In this episode, Gio and I sit down with Tim Hasse, founder and CEO of General Provision, to dive deep into the world of coworking and the unique challenges of running a business remotely. Tim shares his journey from being a tech entrepreneur to creating vibrant coworking spaces in South Florida, all while living in Nashville. If you’re curious abo…

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 spac…

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…

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 Cow…

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 tak…

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 Virg…

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 buil…

Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

Eyal Laskar, Co-Founder and CEO of Flexpace.ai, shares insights into his diverse career journey, starting from his first job as a hedge fund trader to building his own app 'Anyone' and moving up through significant roles at Klarna, WeWork, and ultimately founding FlexSpace. We cover his recent move from San Francisco to New York City, the formation…

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 co…

Jarred Schenke is a flexible office/coworking reporter for Bisnow. His job is to cover industry news from a variety of vantage points. He shares his informed, but outside-the-industry insight on Yardi's acquisition of WeWork. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Follow Jarred on BisNow Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Conn…

In this comprehensive conversation, Ben Wright discusses his journey in the flex space industry, including his promotion to Global Head of Partnerships at Instant and his thoughts on the dynamic shifts in coworking spaces. The discussion touches on the challenges of acquisitions and consolidating the industry, with a special focus on the recent acq…

Michael Feinstein opened his first location in Miami’s midtown…before coworking was popular and before midtown was cool. Michael had been living in London where office space was intentionally designed. He was surprised when he moved to Miami and discovered that office space was pretty bland and uninspiring. He decided that Miami needed an upgrade a…

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Brandon Medeiros, CEO of REKalibrate, and Ryan Donahue, CTO, to discuss their innovative journey in the commercial real estate industry. They share their personal backgrounds and how they’ve transitioned from relying on anecdotal evidence to embracing data-driven decision-making. We explore the critical r…

Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

We talk to Nick about: How his experience in traditional commercial real estate as a broker shaped his vision for an easier leasing process. How his first ten hires and the startup culture of their early days shaped their culture. Nick’s penchant for experimenting/pushing the envelope with…bespoke design, adding a coffee brand to their portfolio, b…

Lawrence Gellerstedt (LG) is the Managing Director + ATL Boss @ Foundry Commercial. We talk to LG about: His transformative time at WeWork His journey as an entrepreneur starting his own boutique brokerage firm His bet on the Switchyards, a 24/7 neighborhood work club His commitment to being genuine and authentic His transparency about mental healt…

Episode Highlights: Gio and Jamie discuss customer experience levels and the challenges in the coworking industry's service sector. David Arraya talks about service and profitability in hospitality, and the delicate balance needed for success. The role of technology in hospitality is examined, along with maintaining the essential human touch. Insig…

In this episode: - Kurt shares his unique journey from a music major to leading sales strategies in the real estate industry. - We explore how landlords and operators are tackling the changes in workspace demand, leveraging data and capital to transform empty spaces into thriving environments. - Kurt’s personal stories add a touch of heart and rela…

We went deep on this episode. We talk about Premier's unique ability to grow by leveraging profit...and we get into how Willie relies on relationships and deep transparency and support among his team to continuously improve the business and navigate through challenging times. Here are some highlights: Premier's under-the-radar strategic growth Navi…

Our guest this week needs little introduction in the coworking circles...but if you don't know her, here are some highlights: She is an industry OG She is fearless when it comes to growing her business on her terms She has clarity around her brand, her culture and her business model...and that is most of the battle She is ruthless about her deal st…

Jean Yves is a true coworking industry OG. He was one of the early coworking enthusiasts behind the first-ever Coworking Europe conference in 2010. This year’s conference is in…you’ll have to listen to find out! Jean Yves has a unique macro view of the industry - he hosts an annual conference with participants from dozens of countries and one of hi…

Sam Rosen, Founder and CEO of Deskpass, shares the Deskpass story, the synergy he sees in having Deskpass and Breather on one platform, and the opportunity for Industrious to offer this platform to its membership base. We talk about: 1. The growth of the coworking industry since Sam started way back in 2007 2. The genesis of Deskpass 4. The Deskpas…

Frank Cottle is a true OG in the flexible office industry. We talk about: Frank Cottle's Business Philosophy and Success: Adapting within the industry while staying true to one's knowledge base Charitable Work and Impact: -All Good Workspace Foundation's mission and activities Business Strategies and Operations: Multi-brand and multi-operational co…

We talk with Philip about: His lens on the role hospitality plays in coworking given his deep background in the hospitality industry Recruiting from the hospitality industry What it is about Workuity that has earned the business 50 5-star Google Reviews Operating in a market with a lot of supply from big brands Hosting coworking tours for the GWA F…

We talk to John Wallace, CEO of Workbox about: Landlord partnerships Knowing who and how you serve Taking over existing coworking spaces Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: John on LinkedIn Workbox website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast…

Philippe Houdard is the CEO of Pipeline Workspaces in Florida (best market for coworking in 2023!). In this episode, we talk about: - Navigating Business Challenges with Relational Strength: Solidarity with customers and team members can be a lifeline during financial downturns. - Growth Through Caution and Culture: Expansion is not just about scal…

What’s on the horizon for 2024? We don’t have a crystal ball, but we do get pretty deep exposure to what’s going on in the industry through the work we do with operators all year long. So, we think we have some pretty good insights into 2024! What does Gio do all year? Gio is a commercial office leasing broker focusing exclusively on coworking/flex…

Paula Mercer, VP of Coworking for Vast at United Franchise Group, announces the addition of a third brand to the Vast umbrella, Intelligent Office. Here’s what we covered: Vast is now the third largest coworking brand in the world after IWG and Regus and now ahead of Industrious. With this acquisition, Vast Coworking Group now has over 190 location…

Emily Watkins is the Chief Client Officer at The Instant Group. Introduction: Emily Watkins, Chief Client Officer at The Instant Group, joins the podcast from San Diego. Discussion about not having a white Christmas, keeping up with her two teenage boys and two chocolate labs. Background: Emily shares her educational journey and career, including e…

We recorded this interview with Ryan Simonetti, CEO of Convene, in front of a live audience in March of 2023. I give Gio props for asking the kinds of questions that the media doesn't generally ask Ryan. Gio asks him about his parents, where his creativity comes from...how they manage a household with small kids and two working parents, and how Rya…

Tobi discussed the importance of enhancing service offerings for large enterprise companies, the trend of traditional office space users seeking alternatives, and the need to maintain brand identity when acquiring city and regional brands. Tobi, Jamie, and Giovanni emphasized the significance of health and wellness in their personal and professiona…

Peri Demestihas is the Senior Director of Real Estate for Industrious, the third largest coworking brand in the country. Industrious has 160+ locations across 65 global cities. We talk about: Why landlords like to partner with Industrious. The heart/brains dynamic between the co-founders, Jamie and Justin. The fact that no two management agreements…

Aden is a young entrepreneur passionate about helping businesses hit the easy button on managing their reputation, collecting customer feedback, and taking action on feedback that will impact the customer experience….all before you get a 2-star Google review. Aden shares his entrepreneurial journey, how RealTime Feedback came to be, and how their p…

Shai Fogel is the General Manager for the US market for Mindspace, a global, luxury coworking brand. We talk with Shai about: Profitable expansion into new markets How to integrate hospitality into the sales process The differences in food and beverage preferences between the US and Europe Building a connected, yet physically distributed team Resou…

Gio and Jamie Unpack Flex Space Dynamics: WeWork's Bankruptcy, Market Tensions, and Emerging Trends. Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

Lorena Caballero has a deep history in the flex industry. She started in hospitality with InterContinental Hotel Group and then worked for IOS Offices in Mexico for over 7 years. IOS has 40+ locations in Class A buildings around the country. She has embarked on a new adventure in co-warehousing and Class A Flex Industrial with Workhub, headquartere…

Gable is a platform built to help companies support better remote work. Gio and I interview Liza Levin, the CEO and founder of Gable. She shares her story, entrepreneurial journey, and her "why" behind Gable. "The portal doesn’t just show which nearby workspaces in a company’s budget have available slots — it also indicates if colleagues are booked…

Catch the replay of Gio's live talk at a Northwest Arkansas ULI (Urban Land Institute) on the flexible office/coworking industry. It's like you got a free ticket to the event! Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: ULI Northwest Arkansaw Ledger Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the…

If you don't know Erin, Maresko, that's because she's a bit of a behind-the-scenes coworking OG. She's been in the business for about 8 years. She started her coworking career in marketing at 25N Coworking and recently transitioned to Kiln, a growing brand HQ'd in Salt Lake City. Erin shares her coworking journey and her perspective on the coworkin…

Richie Parsons joins us on the podcast to share his story of transitioning from Anytime Fitness franchise owner with his wife Charissa, to Venture X franchise owner. He also opens up about his cancer diagnosis and some lifestyle changes that have made a big difference in his health. The power of resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges…