Flex Uncensored - A Coworking Podcast

Jamie Russo and Giovanni Palavacini
  • 5.0 (31)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Giovanni Palavacini and Jamie Russo have partnered to ask industry leaders the questions that are on your mind. Giovanni Palavacini is a Real Estate Strategist focused on helping operators, landlords, and investors to make wise coworking/flexible office decisions using a combination of science and art. Jamie Russo was a coworking space owner/operator for 8 years, Executive Director of the GWA, the industry association, for 5 years, and has spent the last few years helping operators start and run profitable coworking businesses.

  1. 2d ago

    203. Chiko Abengowe of Perfect Office Solutions on the Hard Lessons Behind Growth

    What happens when growth starts going wrong? For Chiko Abengowe, founder and CEO of Perfect Office Solutions, the past year brought some of his biggest business challenges yet — from a location that didn't work out to a building shutdown that left his team and tenants without access, and a fire that caused more than $70,000 in damage. And this episode gets very real about what happens behind the growth. Chiko shares what he learned from those setbacks, how he approached difficult landlord situations, and why he believes failures can actually prepare you for the next success. We also get into: How Perfect Office Solutions uses sales contests and incentives to drive specific business goals. Why Chiko makes sales activity visible across the team. How different revenue streams have their own managers, bonuses, and incentives. What happened when one of his locations had to close after a building was shut down. The lessons he learned about leases and working with large landlords. How a $70K+ fire reinforced the importance of insurance for coworking members. Why Chiko continues to build multiple businesses at the same time. How he handles team members who aren't meeting expectations. Why he believes you're either growing or dying — there's no in-between. How setbacks have shaped the way he approaches the next opportunity. There's a lot in this conversation about revenue, leadership, team culture, expansion, and the reality of building a business when everything doesn't go according to plan. If you've ever wondered what the less visible side of coworking growth looks like, this is an episode you'll want to hear. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Chiko Abengowe on LinkedIn Perfect Office Solutions website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

  2. Aug 26

    202. Chris Hoyt of The Pioneer Collective on Why More Revenue Streams Aren't Always Better

    What happens when a coworking operator decides that growth doesn't have to mean doing more? Christopher Hoyt, CEO of The Pioneer Collective, has taken a deliberately measured approach to growing his coworking business across Seattle and Tacoma — and a big part of that strategy is knowing what not to do. In this episode, Christopher shares how he and his wife Audrey bootstrapped the business, financed growth through cash flow, and used revenue-share deals with landlords to manage risk without taking on unnecessary fixed costs. In this episode, we talk about: Building a coworking business through cash flow rather than outside investment Using revenue-share leases to reduce real estate risk Why hyper-local knowledge is a competitive advantage The hidden danger of overspending on CapEx Why "premium" doesn't have to mean expensive Knowing when an additional revenue stream isn't worth the operational complexity How self-serve meeting-room bookings are creating new demand Balancing business growth with family and personal priorities Chris's approach is a good reminder that sometimes the smartest growth strategy is doing fewer things really well. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Christopher Hoyt on LinkedIn The Pioneer Collective website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

  3. Aug 11

    201. Jackie Latragna on Marketing Coworking Spaces

    What happens when a marketer steps into coworking and starts looking at the business from the outside? In our latest podcast episode, Jamie and Gio sit down with Jackie Latragna, a marketer who went from answering phones at an executive suite at 21 to becoming a fractional CMO working with coworking operators. Jackie shares some great lessons on what she's seeing across the industry, including: Why owners need to find ways to step away from day-to-day operations The importance of ruthlessly evaluating your processes before scaling How to turn the knowledge of your location teams into actual strategy Why community involvement can be one of your most powerful marketing tools How ThinkSpace brought more than 2,000 people through its space during Seattle Tech Week Why smaller operators shouldn't feel like they need to replicate what larger brands are doing How to think about CRM and technology decisions without automatically reaching for the biggest platform Why marketers and operators should look outside coworking for ideas and inspiration The role of SEO, AEO, AI tools, reporting, and measurable marketing outcomes Why a little friction and different perspectives can actually lead to better ideas One of Jackie's biggest themes throughout the conversation is simple: don't let the day-to-day keep you from looking at the bigger opportunity. If you're trying to grow your coworking business without getting buried in the weeds, this one is worth a listen. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Jackie Latragna on LinkedIn BLANKSPACES Coworking website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

  4. Aug 4

    200. How Isaac Esses Built TKO Suites to 24 Locations by Prioritizing Efficiency Over Hype

    How do you scale a coworking business to 24 locations while staying focused on efficiency? Isaac Esses, founder and CEO of TKO Suites, has built a 24-location coworking portfolio by focusing on smart growth, operational efficiency, and understanding what works in each market. In this conversation, Isaac shares how he approaches expansion, why he prioritizes minimizing risk, and how he evaluates locations, acquisitions, and opportunities across different markets. In this episode, we cover: How Isaac grew TKO Suites to 24 locations and his approach to expanding into new markets Why he focuses on efficiency, cost control, and maximizing every square foot How TKO Suites competes by offering affordable, well-designed office space The lessons Isaac learned from acquiring existing coworking operations Why some coworking operators struggle to become profitable How virtual mail contributes to TKO Suites' revenue model Why Isaac uses a centralized sales approach instead of location-based sales teams How he evaluates potential locations and why market differences matter The importance of understanding local demographics when choosing new markets How he thinks about build-outs, office sizes, and creating value for members Why every new deal and location provides opportunities to learn and improve Whether you're growing a coworking portfolio, evaluating new locations, or looking for ways to improve operational efficiency, Isaac shares the strategies and lessons behind TKO Suites' growth. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Isaac Esses on LinkedIn Clockwise Offices website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

  5. Aug 4

    200. How Isaac Esses Built TKO Suites to 24 Locations by Prioritizing Efficiency Over Hype

    How do you scale a coworking business to 24 locations while staying focused on efficiency? Isaac Esses, founder and CEO of TKO Suites, has built a 24-location coworking portfolio by focusing on smart growth, operational efficiency, and understanding what works in each market. In this conversation, Isaac shares how he approaches expansion, why he prioritizes minimizing risk, and how he evaluates locations, acquisitions, and opportunities across different markets. In this episode, we cover: How Isaac grew TKO Suites to 24 locations and his approach to expanding into new markets Why he focuses on efficiency, cost control, and maximizing every square foot How TKO Suites competes by offering affordable, well-designed office space The lessons Isaac learned from acquiring existing coworking operations Why some coworking operators struggle to become profitable How virtual mail contributes to TKO Suites' revenue model Why Isaac uses a centralized sales approach instead of location-based sales teams How he evaluates potential locations and why market differences matter The importance of understanding local demographics when choosing new markets How he thinks about build-outs, office sizes, and creating value for members Why every new deal and location provides opportunities to learn and improve Whether you're growing a coworking portfolio, evaluating new locations, or looking for ways to improve operational efficiency, Isaac shares the strategies and lessons behind TKO Suites' growth. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Isaac Esses on LinkedIn Clockwise Offices website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

  6. Aug 4

    200. How Isaac Esses Built TKO Suites to 24 Locations by Prioritizing Efficiency Over Hype

    How do you scale a coworking business to 24 locations while staying focused on efficiency? Isaac Esses, founder and CEO of TKO Suites, has built a 24-location coworking portfolio by focusing on smart growth, operational efficiency, and understanding what works in each market. In this conversation, Isaac shares how he approaches expansion, why he prioritizes minimizing risk, and how he evaluates locations, acquisitions, and opportunities across different markets. In this episode, we cover: How Isaac grew TKO Suites to 24 locations and his approach to expanding into new markets Why he focuses on efficiency, cost control, and maximizing every square foot How TKO Suites competes by offering affordable, well-designed office space The lessons Isaac learned from acquiring existing coworking operations Why some coworking operators struggle to become profitable How virtual mail contributes to TKO Suites' revenue model Why Isaac uses a centralized sales approach instead of location-based sales teams How he evaluates potential locations and why market differences matter The importance of understanding local demographics when choosing new markets How he thinks about build-outs, office sizes, and creating value for members Why every new deal and location provides opportunities to learn and improve Whether you're growing a coworking portfolio, evaluating new locations, or looking for ways to improve operational efficiency, Isaac shares the strategies and lessons behind TKO Suites' growth. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Isaac Esses on LinkedIn Clockwise Offices website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

  7. Aug 4

    200. How Isaac Esses Built TKO Suites to 24 Locations by Prioritizing Efficiency Over Hype

    How do you scale a coworking business to 24 locations while staying focused on efficiency? Isaac Esses, founder and CEO of TKO Suites, has built a 24-location coworking portfolio by focusing on smart growth, operational efficiency, and understanding what works in each market. In this conversation, Isaac shares how he approaches expansion, why he prioritizes minimizing risk, and how he evaluates locations, acquisitions, and opportunities across different markets. In this episode, we cover: How Isaac grew TKO Suites to 24 locations and his approach to expanding into new markets Why he focuses on efficiency, cost control, and maximizing every square foot How TKO Suites competes by offering affordable, well-designed office space The lessons Isaac learned from acquiring existing coworking operations Why some coworking operators struggle to become profitable How virtual mail contributes to TKO Suites' revenue model Why Isaac uses a centralized sales approach instead of location-based sales teams How he evaluates potential locations and why market differences matter The importance of understanding local demographics when choosing new markets How he thinks about build-outs, office sizes, and creating value for members Why every new deal and location provides opportunities to learn and improve Whether you're growing a coworking portfolio, evaluating new locations, or looking for ways to improve operational efficiency, Isaac shares the strategies and lessons behind TKO Suites' growth. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Isaac Esses on LinkedIn Clockwise Offices website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

  8. Aug 4

    200. How Isaac Esses Built TKO Suites to 24 Locations by Prioritizing Efficiency Over Hype

    How do you scale a coworking business to 24 locations while staying focused on efficiency? Isaac Esses, founder and CEO of TKO Suites, has built a 24-location coworking portfolio by focusing on smart growth, operational efficiency, and understanding what works in each market. In this conversation, Isaac shares how he approaches expansion, why he prioritizes minimizing risk, and how he evaluates locations, acquisitions, and opportunities across different markets. In this episode, we cover: How Isaac grew TKO Suites to 24 locations and his approach to expanding into new markets Why he focuses on efficiency, cost control, and maximizing every square foot How TKO Suites competes by offering affordable, well-designed office space The lessons Isaac learned from acquiring existing coworking operations Why some coworking operators struggle to become profitable How virtual mail contributes to TKO Suites' revenue model Why Isaac uses a centralized sales approach instead of location-based sales teams How he evaluates potential locations and why market differences matter The importance of understanding local demographics when choosing new markets How he thinks about build-outs, office sizes, and creating value for members Why every new deal and location provides opportunities to learn and improve Whether you're growing a coworking portfolio, evaluating new locations, or looking for ways to improve operational efficiency, Isaac shares the strategies and lessons behind TKO Suites' growth. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Isaac Esses on LinkedIn Clockwise Offices website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

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5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Giovanni Palavacini and Jamie Russo have partnered to ask industry leaders the questions that are on your mind. Giovanni Palavacini is a Real Estate Strategist focused on helping operators, landlords, and investors to make wise coworking/flexible office decisions using a combination of science and art. Jamie Russo was a coworking space owner/operator for 8 years, Executive Director of the GWA, the industry association, for 5 years, and has spent the last few years helping operators start and run profitable coworking businesses.

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