Co-working spaces are basically community workplaces. They provide affordable office spaces specifically for entrepreneurs looking for a way to get out of the isolation of an apartment or coffee shop. Instead of renting an expensive office building, entrepreneurs can rent a coworking space in a city where they would like to work. These coworking spaces offer a complete suite of modern office-type amenities including kitchens, dedicated desks, private conference rooms, meeting rooms, and so on. They also provide an environment where entrepreneurs can interact and socialize with like-minded professionals.

There are numerous advantages that entrepreneurs gain by renting a coworking space in their city. The most obvious advantage is cost. This is because it is a much cheaper alternative to setting up an office in a building. Also, entrepreneurs do not have to pay for space for their personal offices. A coworking space, in contrast, may cost up to a few thousand dollars, depending on the amenities provided. These spaces are ideal for startups or new businesses that need to rent office space to set up shop until their business gets off the ground.

Another major benefit for entrepreneurs renting a co-working space is the sense of security and community they enjoy. Many entrepreneurs who come to these workspaces do so because they want to be able to work with other people who share similar passions and interests. They find the interaction with other like-minded people to be very beneficial. In addition, startup startups may find that these types of workspaces are perfect places to build their initial business alliances. Moreover, if an entrepreneur is unable to find a spacious workspace in their own city, they may find it easier to work with startups or new businesses in another city that may need space and access to utilities.

Flexibility is also important for most co-working spaces. Entrepreneurs must be able to make use of any workspace, at their convenience. If they have a home office, for instance, they should be able to use their home as a workspace, whether they plan to leave the house or not. Similarly, if they intend to work from a cafe, hotel room, library, or any place where they feel comfortable, they should have complete flexibility to do so.

Additionally, entrepreneurs should know that there are some co-working spaces that actually cater to their needs and preferences. Many companies provide a range of phone services, such as round-the-clock receptionists and customer service representatives. Businesses also give their clients the option of choosing a desk that matches their desks or a color that matches their office culture.

For start-ups, flexibility is an absolute must. They do not want to spend the money on setting up an office and then not being able to use it, unless they want to. They also do not want to waste their time on a location that is not conducive to their business. Some co-working spaces provide start-up entrepreneurs with all the services they need, like a receptionist or a map of the office location. In short, start-ups can have the best of both worlds.

This post was written by Tara Kintz. Tara is a director at Signature Workspace which is a Tampa office space. Signature Workspace, owned and operated by Cantor Fund Management, offers services and amenities such as private offices, flex space, co-working space, virtual offices, meeting/conference rooms, and more.