The Flex Factor

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We're diving deep into the coworking world, getting you the strategies and stories that actually matter. Produced by Spacebring, we're here to cut through the noise and give you the fast track to success in a flexible workspace.

Episodis

  1. FA 4 DIES

    The ultra-flex strategy: mastering the creative hub model with PAU

    Can "ultra-flexibility" actually be a sustainable revenue driver? Host Marc Navarro sits down with Alejandro Papadopoulos, founder of PAU Barcelona, to discuss 10 years of staying ahead in the coworking industry. Alejandro reveals how PAU blends professional workspace with a "Creative Hub" model, utilizing international networks and ultra-flexible products to protect margins. Inside the episode: Ultra-flex tactics: How to design half-day passes and shared memberships that work. The "cafe trap": Why flex areas must remain proper workspaces to be profitable. Beyond rent: Using the European Creative Hubs Network (ECHN) to unlock new revenue streams. The platform strategy: Effectively integrating tools like Croissant without losing community identity. Survival logic: Why your lease contract is your best defense against market shifts. Quick links: Guest: Alejandro Papadopoulos (PAU Barcelona) Space: wearepau.com Host: Marc Navarro Producer: Spacebring — Coworking software for superior member service.

    29 min
  2. Refounding coworking: from shared desks to “pushing spaces” with Fernando Mendes (Cowork Lisboa)

    1 DE GEN.

    Refounding coworking: from shared desks to “pushing spaces” with Fernando Mendes (Cowork Lisboa)

    The true magic of coworking is the power of working alone, together. In this episode, Marc Navarro sits down with Fernando Mendes, a pioneer of the coworking movement in Portugal and co-founder of Cowork Lisboa. Fernando shares the unfiltered story of pioneering Portugal's flexible workspace scene since 2010 and why he believes the current trend of "mainstreamization" is a threat to the movement’s original magic. Key topics & timestamps: 2:18 The origins of Cowork in Lisbon (2009–2010) 2:34 Lessons in speed: "If you want to do something, do it fast" 3:10 The role of partnership and honest design feedback 5:04 Identifying the coworking "vibe" when no one in Portugal was watching 7:17 Evolution from designer to "community gardener" 8:31 The importance of first members: The story of Antonio and Isabelle 11:47 The magic of "working alone, together" 12:15 The domestication and professionalization of coworking spaces 14:55 Why coworking thrives during times of uncertainty 16:03 The debate on niche coworking vs. diverse communities 19:12 Coworking as the "Third Place" (neither home nor office) 20:51 The end of Cowork: Rent hikes and closing right before the pandemic 25:33 Being "seduced" back: Launching a new space with Miguel and Paul 27:46 The Incubatriz concept: A "pushing space" that isn't an incubator 29:07 Lessons from failure: Why coworking spaces are not replicable Guest: Fernando E. de Pina Mendes, co-founder of Cowork Lisboa Host: Marc NavarroProduced by: Spacebring

    31 min

  3. 11/11/2025

    Tackling staff turnover & corporate demands with Maria Montis Kramer (Loom)

    How has the coworking industry changed since 2017? Maria Montis Kramer, COO of Loom (Merlin Properties), joins host Marc Navarro to discuss the evolution from a "cool" niche to a serious real estate player. They dive into the biggest operational challenges facing owners today: managing high staff turnover (especially in host roles) and meeting the sophisticated demands of new corporate clients. This is a must-listen for any coworking operator focused on scaling business and maintaining service quality. Guest: Maria Montis Kramer, Chief Operations Officer at Loom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-montis-kramer-8195b41/ Loom: https://loom.es/ Merlin Properties: https://www.merlinproperties.com/ Host: Marc Navarro Produced by Spacebring

    34 min
  4. Stop being a supplier, start being a partner: Tamara Giménez on escaping the coworking commodity trap

    17/10/2025

    Stop being a supplier, start being a partner: Tamara Giménez on escaping the coworking commodity trap

    In the increasingly crowded flexible workspace market, the biggest risk is becoming interchangeable—a commodity. So how do you build a business that can't be easily replaced? According to Tamara Giménez, founder of the 15,000m² Teamworks Coworking empire, the answer is simple but profound: stop being a supplier and start being a partner. In this powerful conversation with host Marc Navarro, Tamara breaks down the philosophy that has been the engine of her incredible growth. She reveals how this mindset led her to make a bold decision during the 2020 lockdown—sharing the financial burden with her members—which resulted in unprecedented loyalty and success. This isn't just a success story; it's a strategic guide to building a resilient, high-value coworking brand in any market. Tune in to discover: The partnership philosophy: What it truly means to move from a transactional relationship to a collaborative one with your members. The ultimate case study: How the "partner" mindset guided Teamworks through the pandemic, turning a potential catastrophe into a competitive advantage. Beating the commodity trap: Actionable strategies to differentiate on service and flexibility when everyone else is competing on price. Winning high-value clients: How to embody partnership to attract and retain large companies with complex needs. If you're ready to transform your member relationships and build a more sustainable business, this episode is your blueprint. Find out more: Guest: Tamara M. Giménez Tamara M. Giménez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-m-gimenez/ Teamworks website: https://teamworkscoworking.com/ Forbes feature: Read about Teamworks' $2.5M journey Host: Marc Navarro Website: https://marcnavarro.com/en/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcnavarro/ Producer: Spacebring coworking space management software Learn more and book a demo today!

    29 min
  5. Bigger isn't better: What WeWork's chaos taught Mindspace's GM about real growth

    26/08/2025

    Bigger isn't better: What WeWork's chaos taught Mindspace's GM about real growth

    Think you have to be the cheapest option to offer flexibility? Think again. Mark Goldfinger, the guy running Mindspace in the US, sat down with us to explain why their "white glove" approach is worth every penny. He gets into the details of creating a vibe that keeps people working, hiring staff that actually care, and having the guts to tell a client that yes, month-to-month costs more. It's a refreshingly honest take on what it really takes to succeed in the flex space world today. If you're a coworking space owner, you'll want to hear this. Guest: Mark Goldfinger | General Manager, USA @ Mindspace  Host: Marc Navarro  Producer: Spacebring | Coworking Software

    37 min
  6. How to partner with government and scale your coworking space impact with Jenny Poon

    07/08/2025

    How to partner with government and scale your coworking space impact with Jenny Poon

    What if you could scale the impact of your coworking community beyond your four walls… and get the government to fund it?  In this episode, our host Marc Navarro is talking to Jenny Poon, the award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Phoenix's first coworking space, CO+HOOTS. When the pandemic hit, Jenny didn't just pivot; she built a whole new model. She shares the story behind HUUB, a platform that connects small businesses with government funding and expert help, completely changing the game for public-private partnerships. In this episode, you'll learn: The "hub and spoke" model for a coworking space community that doesn't rely on a physical building. Jenny's 5-step playbook for getting city officials to believe in (and fund!) your vision. How to use data and human stories to prove your impact and unlock major opportunities. This conversation will fundamentally change how you think about community, scale, and the future of your coworking space. Tune in! Connect with Jenny Poon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennypoon/ Discover more from host Marc Navarro: https://marcnavarro.com/ Learn more about CO+HOOTS coworking space: https://cohoots.com/ Learn more about HUUB: https://www.joinhuub.com/ Learn about Spacebring’s coworking space management software: ⁠https://www.spacebring.com/

    52 min
  7. The core of coworking: what truly drives community and profit

    05/06/2025

    The core of coworking: what truly drives community and profit

    Ready to think differently about coworking? In this special episode, our host, Marc Navarro, connects with María Santos Peña from Magma Espacio to talk about how coworking spaces really hit their stride outside big cities. They're fresh off their "Sustainable coworking in small cities" session at CWSC 2025, and they're sharing practical ideas, surprising discoveries, and how to build strong communities in unexpected places. You'll also get a look behind the scenes at how CWSC puts together its fantastic content and smooth operations. If you run a coworking space and are looking for new ideas and proven ways to grow, you'll want to hear this one! Connect with María Santos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasantospena/Discover more from host Marc Navarro: ⁠⁠https://marcnavarro.com/⁠ ⁠Learn more about Magma Espacio: ⁠https://www.magmaespacio.es/María Santos presentation at CWSC: https://spacebri.ng/UUwM7Explore the CWSC: ⁠⁠https://coworkingspainconference.es/⁠ ⁠Learn about Spacebring: ⁠⁠https://www.spacebring.com/⁠

    25 min
  8. The uncomfortable truth about coworking: a candid conversation with Uri Iskin

    01/05/2025

    The uncomfortable truth about coworking: a candid conversation with Uri Iskin

    What's really going on in the coworking industry? Marc Navarro sits down with Uri Iskin of HIT to talk about the stuff that usually stays behind closed doors. They get real about the challenges of working with landlords, the complicated world of brokers, and what the future actually holds for flexible workspaces. A refreshingly honest conversation. Learn more about HIT coworking: https://hitcowork.co/ Discover more from host Marc Navarro: ⁠https://marcnavarro.com/⁠  Explore the CWSC: ⁠https://coworkingspainconference.es/⁠  Learn about Spacebring: ⁠https://www.spacebring.com/⁠

    40 min
  9. How CWSC turned a dream into an industry

    31/03/2025

    How CWSC turned a dream into an industry

    Hear the untold story of CWSC. Founder Manuel Zea shares his challenges and triumphs, just in time for the Madrid conference. Learn more about CWSC: https://coworkingspainconference.es/ Discover Marc Navarro: https://marcnavarro.com/Discover Spacebring: https://www.spacebring.com/

    26 min
  • 9 episodis

Informació

We're diving deep into the coworking world, getting you the strategies and stories that actually matter. Produced by Spacebring, we're here to cut through the noise and give you the fast track to success in a flexible workspace.

Fitxa tècnica

  • Creació
    Spacebring
  • Anys en actiu
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodis
    9
  • Qualificació
    Apte
  • Copyright
    © Spacebring
  • Lloc web del programa
    The Flex Factor