I have always valued the flexibility of working from home. I was fortunate over my career that I had bosses who gave me the flexibility to be a mom and a professional. For almost 20 years, I have had, and in turn, provided others with, flexible ways to work. Two or three days a week, I finished the workday off at home after the bell rang at my children’s school.
But then COVID-19 catapulted an entire professional world into a state of working from home. While I managed to work from home here and there for years, the isolation hit hard. I missed the energy of working with people. Returning to the office after the pandemic meant a lot of intentional thought and strategy – I even created a decision matrix that allowed the team to figure out how to continue to provide flexibility and accountability within a large team. Fast forward to October 2023, I found myself in a new reality where I was at home 24/7 again. Without an office to go to, I began to envision something new. The result? The Apiary, a coworking space where flexibility, community, and innovation come together.
Owning The Apiary has also deepened my understanding of how office spaces contribute to the future of work and how coworking fits into it. Here are seven reasons why I see coworking spaces as part of the future of work:
- Flexible Workplaces for Modern Needs: Where we work has changed drastically. With the acceleration of the trend toward remote and hybrid work due to the pandemic, many employees have realized what work-life integration truly means. Today, some people may not have an office to go to regularly. These untraditional work arrangements allow for flexibility and coffee-shop surfing. Coworking spaces can offer the opportunity to have the best of both worlds. As workers today prioritize flexibility, work-life integration and autonomy, coworking spaces can offer that office experience but not all the strict constraints. Some employers even offer memberships to coworking spaces as part of their benefits package, recognizing that these spaces support employee wellness, productivity and job satisfaction.
- Cost-Effective and Scalable Solutions: For new businesses, freelancers, and startups, coworking spaces are a cost-effective solution. There’s no need for long-term leases or furniture, utilities, and equipment investments. Companies can easily adjust their presence as team sizes fluctuate, and the spaces provide structure without geographical constraints.
- Built-in Community and Networking: The Apiary, and others like it, are a hub for innovation and collaboration. Coworking spaces facilitate networking so entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses can make meaningful connections and establish a brand within the community. The events, workshops, social gatherings, partnerships, new ideas, and mentorship opportunities happen organically. These “collision conversations” are invaluable. The Apiary is a female-focused coworking space with the intention of connecting females and their champions who have shared goals, interests, challenges and opportunities. This community of women who are championing each other has the purpose of lifting each other, sharing insights and hopefully making the journey a bit clearer with fewer obstacles.
- Access to Professional Resources and Technology: At The Apiary, technology and accessibility are core to our design. Our space is intentionally equipped to support professional needs, from smart boards to a podcast room. We’ve incorporated wired internet, soundproofed areas, sit-stand desks, member perks like meal prep services, and a monthly visit from a seamstress—all designed to make work-life integration seamless.
- Productivity and Well-Being: . While remote work is liberating, we do find that some people struggle with the lack of structure. The call of the laundry that needs to be done or the busy life around you can sometimes make it harder to get your work done from home. It can also feel lonely if you are always working from home. Freelancers and remote employees can feel isolated, leading to burnout. Coworking spaces offer community, and a sense of belonging, both linked to higher job satisfaction. Coworking spaces provide a balanced work environment that combines routine and flexibility, helping maintain motivation.
- Supporting Urban and Rural Development: Coworking is helping bridge the gap between urban and rural work opportunities. Opening The Apiary in downtown St. Catharines has brought a new vibrancy to the area. Local professionals now have a beautiful, well-equipped space, contributing to the local economy and fostering connections in the heart of our neighbourhood. The number of cars who have stopped at our doorstep (we are at a 4-way stop) and yell out the window, “We love what you have done with the place,” has carried us through the renos happening!
- Customizable Experiences for Diverse Needs: We actively listen to our members to understand their unique needs. By offering flexible memberships and additional services, coworking spaces cater to everyone—from solo entrepreneurs to larger corporations needing satellite offices.
The future of work will continue to evolve, and it will continue to cause disruption, frustration, and a lot of new opportunities. Coworking spaces are adaptable hubs that can keep up with these changes. Whether it is flexible scheduling, bringing decentralized teams together or helping with innovation, we are here to help respond to the needs of the evolving businesses. The future is fluid yet more and more connected. These spaces reflect a new era of work where flexibility, adaptability, community, and connectivity are prioritized, making us essential players in the evolving work landscape.
