Coworking workspaces in Fullerton, Orange County

With the economy in recession and a resulting shift in how people work, there are increasing numbers of freelancers, consultants and other professionals-turned-entrepreneurs who have been working from isolated home offices or on the run in coffee shops and other public spaces. A new concept has developed that relieves the isolation of the makeshift office and brings these people together to form like-minded communities with shared values emphasizing creativity and productivity.

Coworking spaces are being created in cities and towns all over the world. Here, the professional can work in space rented by the hour or day, surrounded by others doing the same. There are no bosses, just workers, working independently yet in a community of others who share their vision. Costs are kept low, creativity flows and professional space for meetings and conferences is readily available.

Coworking combats the fatigue and creative slumps that the self-employed freelancer frequently experiences. The coworking idea is based on forming a community that is collaborative, supportive and grants each worker a legitimate place in the world of the coworking space. Many coworking communities have banded together to form webs of space that are available to members from affiliated communities. There are coworking groups that span the globe allowing members to share space worldwide. Those who travel extensively on the job can benefit from knowing they will find a comfortable space to work where people have similar goals.
Because the sense of community is more important than the actual space, many coworking groups start before the space is actually acquired.

With the change in the economy, there has been a recent increase in the number of people working from home as freelance writers, artists, programmers, consultants or in other occupations that can be done from a remote location. With this trend has come a new idea, coworking spaces. Rather than working in isolation at home or in coffee shops, coworking spaces allow people to use shared office space to do their work. There are many advantages to using these spaces, some of them may even lead to increased income.

The most obvious is the end to the isolation of working at home alone. Simply coming together with others can increase creative and energy levels, making for more productivity. Imagine the contrast between the isolation of sitting alone in front of the computer at home and having an office filled with others working on similar projects. Freelancers can commune with others about leads, networking opportunities and ideas that may improve their work. The energy flow in a group of people can lead to better work production, less procrastination and greater creativity. Rather than being alone and stymied by a technical question or problem, a group of people can often find a solution.

Coworking spaces can be a very cost-effective way to gain access to professional room for meeting with clients. Conference spaces can be used creatively for meetings or for community presentations. Be sure to consult with a tax professional to see if any costs for using the coworking space are tax deductible.

Although the workers using the space will change over time, a sense of community can be built that will benefit all involved.