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The Silent Benefits of Working in a Startup Co-Working Space

It’s been about a year and half of working in Atlanta Tech Village (ATV), and being in the office full-time. There are a lot of advantages touted about when working in a co-working space/ startup hub. Being one of the largest spaces of its kind, ATV boasts some great strengths including:
  • Fantastic facilities with the latest tech gear (this is Atlanta TECH Village, of course)
  • Energy from 300 startups, >1,000 people buzzing about
  • Networking opportunities with companies in similar stages as well as a bevy of individuals who have “been there, done that”

I had been in and out of ATV before joining SalesWise, so I was well-aware of many of the benefits. Prior to then, I worked out of Starbucks quite often, and camped out at other offices of companies I knew. But as I said, 18 months working full-time at ATV has taught a few things I didn’t consider before…
  • A sense of normalcy amid fast pivots and new “tests”. Though many elements of an early-stage company change (sometimes on a weekly basis) it’s nice to have the grounded effect of having a place to call “home” – a desk, a chair, a place to eat, etc.
  • Feeling of inclusion. I’ve connected with other entrepreneurs, heads of sales, rising customer success teams, etc. It’s like a “Cheers” episode – people know your name, people know your business, people know the aches and pains and opportunities…
  • Just as easy to stay focused and disappear. There can be a lot going on at ATV at any given time. Case in point: Easter Eggs were hidden everywhere the Friday before Easter. However, it’s just as easy to come in, get sh!t done, and then leave, without ever interacting with another soul outside your company. The opportunities to stay isolated and to connect are equal. Take advantage of what you want.
  • The shiny features that everyone talks about are rarely used. All those ping pong tables, video game stations, beer on tap, etc., they’re rarely used. Recruits and passers-by admire and talk about these amenities. But once you’re getting down to brass tacks, the real work amenities (like kitchen, fast internet, whiteboards) are what you really care about.

Check out a co-working space near you. Coffee shops are great, but when you need a place that can be quiet, a regular place to call home, co-working spaces have your back.

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