This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes because the conversation is just as relevant today as when it first aired.

Design matters—but not in the way most coworking operators think.

After helping design more than 2 million square feet of flexible workspace around the world, Dean Connell has a unique perspective on what makes a coworking space successful. It's not about following trends or choosing the right furniture. It's about creating spaces with personality, purpose, and a culture people genuinely want to be part of.

In this conversation, Dean shares how he went from designing luxury bars and boutique hotels to becoming Creative Director at WeWork, the lessons he learned along the way, and why he believes too many coworking spaces have become predictable.

If you're designing, renovating, or rethinking your coworking space, this episode will challenge the way you think about design, community, and member experience.

In this episode, we cover:

• Dean's journey from hospitality design to leading creative projects at WeWork
• Why so many coworking spaces look and feel the same—and what operators can do differently
• The balance between scalable design and authentic community
• How thoughtful design influences culture, member experience, and brand perception
• Why operators should stop playing it safe and build spaces people remember

Whether you're opening your first coworking space or planning your next renovation, this conversation is full of ideas to help you create a space that stands out—for all the right reasons.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Dean on LinkedIn

I-AM.D.C website

Wesley Edmonds on LinkedIn

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What happens when someone leaves a career at the United Nations to open a coworking space in a small town? That's exactly what Alanna Imbach, Founder and CEO of Vibe Coworks, did.

Alanna spent 17 years working around the world, including with the UN World Food Programme and WaterAid, before returning to her hometown of Poulsbo, Washington. What started as a search for a place where she and her husband could continue working remotely became Vibe Coworks.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Alanna's first experience with coworking happened at Grind in New York City
• Why she originally thought coworking was a terrible idea and what changed her mind
• The decision to leave a global career and return home to build something locally
• Designing a coworking space from the ground up after visiting dozens of spaces around the world
• How Vibe Coworks became part of a unique mixed-use building that includes a restaurant, chocolate shop, liquor store, and speakeasy
• The creation of Matchstick Lab and its work supporting entrepreneurship in the community
• Building a culture where people get to know each other as people first, not just by what they do for work
• Why Alanna believes people should be able to do the work they love from the place they love.

This conversation is a great reminder that coworking can be about much more than workspace. It can be about creating connections, supporting entrepreneurs, and helping people build meaningful careers without leaving the communities they care about.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Alanna on LinkedIn

Vibe Coworks website

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

If your goal is to create a coworking space that's profitable, purposeful, and packed with community-driven energy, this episode is required listening.

This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes of Flex Uncensored: our conversation with Gina Schreck, founder of The Village Work, Wellness & Event Center in the Denver suburbs. The lessons in this episode are just as relevant today as when it first aired. Sometimes the best ideas aren't new ones—they're the ones worth hearing again.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Gina expanded from 10K to 50K square feet—and why she nearly walked away from the opportunity
• The surprising role her daughter played in managing the expansion project
• What makes her podcast studio actually get used (and how it supports her community)
• How events became a major revenue driver, from business gatherings to weddings and church services
• Why hospitality is at the center of everything she does—and how that philosophy impacts retention and culture
• How her space became a true community hub, complete with nonprofit partnerships and a waitlist for offices
• The creative ways she's using AI and thinking about operational efficiency
• Why DIY coworking isn't for divas—and how she embraces a high-touch, high-hospitality model

This episode is packed with practical insights, big energy, and creative ideas for operators looking to build something people genuinely want to be part of. Whether you're hearing it for the first time or giving it another listen, there's a good chance you'll walk away with a few ideas worth putting into action.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Gina on LinkedIn

The Village Workspace website

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast