Coworking Values Podcast Bernie J Mitchell

Building a Community of Connection with Holly Cooke
In this episode of the Coworking Values Podcast, Tony talks with Holly Cooke, the inspiring founder of the Lonely Girls Club. We explore Holly’s journey from being a lonely graduate in London to creating one of the UK's largest communities for women seeking connection. Holly shares her experiences, the club's evolution, and how it has grown to include branches across several major cities in the UK. 
She discusses the challenges and triumphs of building a supportive network that caters to diverse needs and interests.
 Key Topics Covered:
 The origin story of the Lonely Girls Club and its mission to combat loneliness among women.
 Holly’s personal journey of moving to London and the challenges of making new friends in a big city.
 How the club has expanded beyond London to other major UK cities like Manchester, Nottingham, and Birmingham.
 The innovative ways the club fosters community both online and through in-person events.
 Collaborations with local businesses and organisations to create unique opportunities for members.
 Future plans for the club, including potential global expansion and continued support for its growing community.
 Timeline Summary:
 01:20  Tony welcomes Holly Cooke and introduces the topic.
 02:16  Holly shares the founding story of the Lonely Girls Club.
 06:54  The initial meetup experiences and the challenges of organising events.
 10:32  How the club supports members through digital forums and weekly newsletters.
 13:57  Partnering with coworking clubs and other businesses to enhance community experiences.
 18:12  Transitioning the club into a sustainable social impact business.
 25:51  Addressing loneliness globally and future expansion plans.
 31:29  The process of opening new branches and onboarding city hosts.
 36:31  The importance of newsletters and the tools used to manage community engagement.
 Links & Resources:
 Lonely Girls Club 
Follow Lonely Girls Club on Instagram 
Join the Lonely Girls Club on Facebook
Connect with Tony Bacigalupo on LinkedIn
One More Thing
Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values.
Please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for the Coworking Values Podcast; it helps our show have an even more significant impact.
It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand coworking, how it can benefit their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects, and work.


Get full access to 🎙️Coworking Values Podcast at coworkingvaluespodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Summary:
Today's episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their coworking business. 
We are joined by Connor, Director of Revenue Operations at Impact, a marketing agency that helps companies in-house their marketing and improve inefficient sales processes.
Connor's insights are particularly valuable for coworking spaces aiming to attract and retain members through effective marketing strategies. 
Connor is a key figure in the Impact Plus community, recognised for his work with the "They Ask, You Answer" framework.
You’ll see the journey of Marcus Sheridan, whose content marketing strategy turned his pool company into a multimillion-dollar business, offering valuable lessons for coworking spaces on leveraging content to drive engagement and sales. 
Connor illuminates the buyer's journey, emphasising how businesses can use their websites to guide potential customers through this process, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates. 
He also delves into the enduring effectiveness of email marketing and identifies common pitfalls small businesses encounter when outsourcing their marketing efforts. 
Finally, Connor explains why focusing on outcomes rather than deliverables is essential for creating successful agency partnerships when marketing your businesses. 
Timeline Summary:
2:04 – Connor introduces himself, mentioning his background and current role in Connecticut.
3:00 – The story of Marcus Sheridan's early adoption of HubSpot and pioneering content marketing efforts.
5:02 – Marcus Sheridan's success story: Turning content into $35 million in sales by answering customer questions.
7:00 – Breaking down the buyer's journey and how a well-structured website can guide customers.
10:55 – The "Don't screw it up sale" – a tale of a highly informed customer making a swift purchase decision.
14:35 – The vital role of email marketing in maintaining customer engagement and driving sales.
16:19 – Common mistakes small businesses make when outsourcing their marketing, such as not knowing what they are outsourcing.
21:22 – The importance of prioritising outcomes over deliverables in agency partnerships for mutual success.
Links & Resources:
Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn
They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan
Marcus Sheridan on LinkedIn
Impact Plus Community 
River Pools & Spas Website
Connor on LinkedIn - The best place to find his videos and written posts.
Virtual Headquarters - join the independent virtual office network for your coworking business.
One More Thing
Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values.
Please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for the Coworking Values Podcast; it helps our show have an even greater impact.
It also helps people in the general public and your neighbourhood understand coworking, how it can benefit their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects, and work.


Get full access to 🎙️Coworking Values Podcast at coworkingvaluespodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to "Community is the Key," our series with Salto Systems, where we explore ways to grow, start, and evolving communities.
Today, we introduce Ali, a community connector passionate about creating inclusive spaces through food and fellowship.
We explore Ali's journey from starting her social enterprise, Carib Eats, a Weekly Canteen across Hackney & with a Caribbean twist. Ali started this during the lockdown to her vision of using food to connect diverse neighbourhoods.
Ali shares her experiences and challenges, emphasizing the importance of providing culturally relevant meals with dignity.
We reflect on our first meeting with Ali at Urban MBA HQ in London and discuss the unique environment that brings together people from all walks of life.
Discover the magic of communal dining and how it reduces loneliness and fosters a sense of belonging.
Episode Highlights:
[00:02] Introduction to the episode and Ali’s role in the community.
[01:04] Ali discusses her current focus on Caribbean Eats, a social enterprise born out of lockdown.
[02:13] Recalling our first encounter at Urban MBA HQ and the importance of experiencing community firsthand.
[03:49] The diverse group of people that come together over meals at the EdTech Centre and the significance of these gatherings.
[06:25] Discussing the broader vision of coworking spaces as community hubs for all ages.
[09:29] Ali’s motivation for starting Caribbean Eats and the power of connection through food.
[10:15] Ali shares a touching story about helping a man with learning difficulties who was lonely after losing his support network during the lockdown.
[14:24] The challenges of maintaining a social enterprise and the importance of providing culturally relevant meals.
[19:03] Heartwarming stories of the impact of Caribbean Eats on individuals like Malcolm, who found companionship and community.
[26:35] How listeners can get involved and support the initiative, whether through hosting canteens or offering skills and resources.
Links & Resources:
* Matthias Hollwich’s New Aging Book
* Our podcast with Matthias Hollwich
* Urban MBA
* Carib Eat's main website
* LinkedIn - Ali
One More Thing:
Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values.
Please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for the Coworking Values Podcast; it helps our show have an even greater impact. It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand what coworking is, how it can help their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects, and work.


Get full access to 🎙️Coworking Values Podcast at coworkingvaluespodcast.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation recorded at the Urban MBA podcast studio in Lonon, we welcome Caleb Parker, a champion of entrepreneurs and a prominent voice in redefining the boundaries of office real estate and coworking industries. You can track Caleb's journey from American football to co-founder of Brave Corp.
We riff on the evolving role of office spaces and the significance of community and brand in today’s professional landscape.
Caleb shares his thoughts on the future of work, the importance of face-to-face interaction in a virtual world, and how companies must adapt to these changes.
Whether you're a small coworking space owner or interested in the broader real estate market, this episode offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice.
Timeline Summary
* [01:46] - Caleb Parker discusses his reputation and aspirations.
* [02:00] - Reflecting on what others perceive about Caleb’s work.
* [03:11] - Exploring Caleb’s authority in the real estate market - but he is not a real estate guy.
* [04:49] - The long-term planning and uncertainty in real estate.
* [06:05] - The ongoing debate about the necessity of office spaces post-COVID.
* [08:25] - Caleb's perspective on brand and its deeper meaning.
* [12:27] - The role of entrepreneurs and the impact of their values.
* [15:36] - Building community in coworking spaces and aligning with shared values.
* [19:06] - Creating a sense of belonging and how it drives community engagement.
* [22:07] - The concept of "space as a service" and its practical applications.
* [26:45] - The importance of hiring team members who align with your values.
* [29:21] - Maintaining and evolving values within a community.
Links & Resources
* Caleb Parker on LinkedIn
* Caleb Parker on Instagram
* Brave Corp
* The Caleb Parker Show
* The Summer 2024 Coworking Community Builder Cohort
One More Thing
Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values.
Please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for the Coworking Values Podcast; it helps our show have an even more significant impact.
It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand coworking, how it can benefit their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects, and work.


Get full access to 🎙️Coworking Values Podcast at coworkingvaluespodcast.substack.com/subscribe

In today's Coworking Values Podcast episode, Emily chats with Natalie Du Toit, an Olympic and Paralympic swimmer who has become a digital marketer and content writer. We explore her inspiring journey, her work with the European Coworking Assembly, and the impactful IDEA Handbook, which stands for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. Natalie shares her experiences and valuable insights on how coworking spaces can become more inclusive and accessible, ensuring everyone feels welcome and supported.
Timeline Summary:
* [1:17] - Introducing Natalie Du Toit: From Olympic and Paralympic swimmer to digital marketer.
* [3:04] - What is the IDEA Handbook, and what does IDEA stand for?
* [4:24] - Practical applications of the IDEA Handbook in work settings.
* [7:03] - Natalie’s sports background influences her inclusion perspective.
* [9:59] - Advice on integrating the IDEA Handbook into a team.
* [12:22] - Personal reflections on the sections of the IDEA Handbook.
* [15:09] - The stakes for companies that don’t adapt to diverse needs.
* [16:56] - How to connect with Natalie online and her final thoughts on inclusion.
Links & Resources:
* Summer 2024 Sprint Cohort Sign-Up
* Nook Wellness Pods
* Coworking I.D.E.A. Project
* Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn
* Buy the European Coworking Assembly IDEA Handbook
* Connect with Natalie Du Toit on Twitter and LinkedIn
* Connect with Emily on LinkedIn
One More Thing: Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values. Please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for the Coworking Values Podcast; it helps our show have an even greater impact.
It also helps the general public and your neighbourhood understand coworking, how it can benefit their local community, and how it can help them build their careers, projects, and work.


Get full access to 🎙️Coworking Values Podcast at coworkingvaluespodcast.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Coworking Values Podcast, we chat with Jerome Chang, a veteran and skilled architect in the coworking community. We explore Jerome's journey from architecture to launching his coworking spaces in 2008. Jerome reflects on the early days of coworking, the role of design in creating functional coworking environments, and his efforts to foster inclusive communities. We delve into his initiative, People of Coworking, which aims to improve diversity and representation within the coworking industry.
This episode offers deep insights into building welcoming spaces and the ongoing challenges and opportunities in making coworking more inclusive.

Timeline Summary
- [00:00] - Introduction to the episode and guest Jerome Chang.
- [00:11] - Jerome talks about his background in coworking and architecture.
- [00:27] - Jerome shares his first memory of coworking and how he got into it.
- [02:09] - Building communities beyond coworking spaces.
- [03:42] - Launch of People of Coworking and its goals.
- [05:05] - Discussion on diversity in coworking and representation at events.
- [08:30] - The importance of inclusive marketing and role models.
- [11:50] - Challenges and efforts in addressing diversity in coworking.
- [13:36] - The role of visible diversity in creating relatable communities.
- [16:07] - Why representation at events is crucial.
- [18:12] - Strategies for event organizers to ensure diverse representation.
- [22:40] - Jerome's call to action for supporting People of Coworking.
Links & Resources
- People of Coworking
- Jerome Chang on LinkedIn
- Contact Jerome via Email
- Catherine Park of Color in tech - Our podcast with Catherine.
- Sonia Thompson is an expert on diversity and inclusivity in marketing.
One More Thing
Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values.
Please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for the Coworking Values Podcast; it helps our show have an even greater impact.
It also helps people in the wider general public and your neighbourhood understand coworking, how it can benefit their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects, and work.


Get full access to 🎙️Coworking Values Podcast at coworkingvaluespodcast.substack.com/subscribe