245. Making Small (Rural) Coworking Spaces Sustainable Through On-Site Automation and a Shared, Digital Layer of Programming
Brian Watson - Co-founder of Proximity and now Co-founder of Alt Space, shares his thesis on how to make small-town coworking work by using automation to build the first sustainable rural coworking brand.
Alt Space exists to connect small businesses, entrepreneurs, and remote workers to the tools, resources, and people they need in order to be successful. We believe in the power of community and collaboration, and know that by working together we can accomplish the impossible.
In this episode, we talk about:
Catching up with Brian - leaving Proximity, moving to Telluride, co-founding Alt Space
The problem Brian is solving with Alt Space
The economic development opportunity in small towns/rural areas (esp. post-COVID)
Why grant-funded spaces aren’t sustainable (most of the time)
How the Alt Coworking model is set up to be an automated workspace
The Alt Coworking tech stack
What the digital layer of programming and community will offer to the network of member spaces
What type of space this model can work for
What’s working well with the model
What are the challenges that they’re still solving
Brian’s 5-year vision for the platform
Everything Coworking Featured Resources:
Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space
Creative Coworking Partnerships: How to negotiate and structure management agreements from the landlord and operator perspective
Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:
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