Everything Coliving Podcast

Everything Coliving

Learnings from the journeys of Coliving Founders worldwide. In the last 3 years, Mayank Pokharna spoke to 400+ stakeholders in the coliving community and had a lot of learnings in the process. When Gui told him, Why don't you record your conversations and leave them for the world? EVERYTHING COLIVING PODCAST came into being. Every week we release one conversation with a coliving founder, talking about Everything Coliving. Let's learn from those who build. In this series, we talk to leading coliving founders and learn about their coliving business models, challenges, learnings, and stories.

  1. Canadian Coliving Ecosystem & Converting Empty Offices Into Coliving with Toboggan Flats S2 Ep1

    MAR 4

    Canadian Coliving Ecosystem & Converting Empty Offices Into Coliving with Toboggan Flats S2 Ep1

    Canada is sitting on a housing crisis, and the answer might be hiding inside its empty office towers.In this episode of Everything Co-living, Mayank Pokharna sits down with Robert Barnard, co-founder of Toboggan Flats, to explore one of Canada's most compelling housing solutions: converting vacant B & C-class office buildings into affordable, community-first co-living spaces.Robert walks us through the macro forces reshaping Canadian housing; from sky-high rents eating 50%+ of young workers' incomes to the loneliness epidemic hitting Gen Z hardest. Then he takes us inside a live case study in Ottawa: an 11-story office building being reimagined as a 390-person co-living community, close to Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa, and a major hospital.In this episode:- Why Canada's housing stock is inflexible and what needs to change- How co-living addresses affordability, loneliness, and climate simultaneously- The 9-month conversion timeline vs. years for new builds- Three unit types: 4-bed share, studio, en-suite, and why the mix matters25% common space per floor by design; small, medium, and large interaction zones- The employer triangle strategy: universities, hospitals, government- Target IRR of 15–20% and development yields of ~5% for investors- Why demand is the easy part and supply is Canada's real challengeReach Robert at: robert@tobogganflats.com | tobogganflats.comEverything Co-living: everythingcoliving.comTIMESTAMPS00:00 — Intro: Mayank & Robert01:38 — 10-year housing journey in Canada05:55 — Why co-living, why now07:58 — The loneliness crisis in Canada10:30 — The office vacancy opportunity12:53 — Ottawa case study walkthrough19:08 — Room, street, neighbourhood community model27:07 — Financials: IRR, yields, stabilisation model32:27 — Demand signals from around the world35:53 — Closing thoughts#coliving #canadahousing #officetoresidential #affordablehousing #realestatecanada #colivingcanada #tobogganflats #everythingcoliving #housingcrisis #purposebuiltrental

    37 min
  2. Avoid This Costly Mistake in Real Estate! Lessons from Coliving Pioneer Zafar Bhunnoo, Ep 16

    01/19/2025

    Avoid This Costly Mistake in Real Estate! Lessons from Coliving Pioneer Zafar Bhunnoo, Ep 16

    🎙️ Episode 16: Coliving Innovators Podcast with Zafar Bhunnoo In this insightful episode, we welcome Zafar Bhunnoo, a seasoned real estate expert with over 20 years of experience at firms like Blackstone and M3 Consulting. From co-founding Balance Outliving to driving Limitless, Zafar shares his journey of shaping the coliving industry in the UK. 🔑 Key Takeaways: - Zafar’s transition from traditional real estate to coliving - The evolution of coliving in the UK market - Strategies for sustainable growth and planning permissions - How to find your “why” as a coliving founder - A costly mistake every real estate entrepreneur must avoid! 💡 Top Quote: “Coliving is not just about profit—it’s about creating communities where people thrive.” 🔗 Connect with Zafar Bhunnoo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zafarb/ 💡 Brought to you by: The Coliving Incubator Program by Artof.Co—helping founders create thriving coliving spaces. ⚡️ For more ways to grow your coliving business, consider joining the Coliving Incubator Program: https://www.artof.co/coliving-incubator The Artof.Co Incubator is a 12-month milestone-based program helping coliving entrepreneurs successfully conceptualize, build, and operate sustainable coliving businesses. We will help you make the right decisions and learn best practices along the way of setting up and scaling your business, giving you access to masterminds, a community of peers, mentors, and a milestone-based program with resources. 📙 And make sure to start with the Art of Coliving Book: https://www.artof.co/art-of-coliving-book Get insights, frameworks, and learnings from 200+ coliving entrepreneurs on how to create, launch, run, and scale a coliving space. This book has been written by interviewing coliving founders. It summarizes best practices in community building, real estate sourcing, financial models, marketing, architecture, and all other subjects related to building out your coliving business.

    41 min
  3. From Billion-Dollar Contracts to Coliving: How Frederic Built Paris’s Luxury Coliving Brand, Fredric, COCO Community

    12/21/2024

    From Billion-Dollar Contracts to Coliving: How Frederic Built Paris’s Luxury Coliving Brand, Fredric, COCO Community

    In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Frederic, the visionary founder of COCO Community in Paris. From negotiating billion-dollar contracts in the corporate world to creating a high-end coliving brand, Frederic shares his unique journey, key challenges, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. 🔑 What You’ll Learn: The real reason Frederic left his corporate career to dive into coliving How he built a luxury coliving brand in the heart of Paris during the pandemic The importance of starting small and scaling sustainably in the coliving business Why “coliving is a business of details” and how it shapes long-term success Frederic’s top advice for aspiring coliving founders 💡 Golden Nugget: “Don’t be jealous of others’ rapid growth; focus on creating a consistent and profitable experience.” 📌 Watch now to learn how you can start your coliving venture and grow it sustainably! 🔗 Connect with Frederic: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederic-geoffrois-b91152/ 💡 Brought to you by: The Coliving Incubator Program by Artof.Co - - - ⚡️ For more ways to grow your coliving business, consider joining the Coliving Incubator Program: https://www.artof.co/coliving-incubator The Artof.Co Incubator is a 12-month milestone-based program helping coliving entrepreneurs successfully conceptualize, build, and operate sustainable coliving businesses. We will help you make the right decisions and learn best practices along the way of setting up and scaling your business, giving you access to masterminds, a community of peers, mentors, and a milestone-based program with resources. 📙 And make sure to start with the Art of Coliving Book: https://www.artof.co/art-of-coliving-book Get insights, frameworks, and learnings from 200+ coliving entrepreneurs on how to create, launch, run, and scale a coliving space. This book has been written by interviewing coliving founders. It summarizes best practices in community building, real estate sourcing, financial models, marketing, architecture, and all other subjects related to building out your coliving business. #Coliving #CommunityBuilding #DigitalNomads #RemoteWork

    49 min
  4. Inside the UK Coliving Boom: Insights and Strategies from Urbanbubble’s George Ahye

    12/07/2024

    Inside the UK Coliving Boom: Insights and Strategies from Urbanbubble’s George Ahye

    In this episode, we sit down with George Ahye, Head of Coliving at Urbanbubble, to discuss the rise of coliving in the UK, its institutionalization, and what it takes to build thriving coliving communities. 🔑 Topics Covered: - The evolution of coliving in the UK - Insights into Urbanbubble’s operations with Folk Coliving - Key drivers of the growing demand for coliving spaces - How to start a coliving business in the UK - The role of technology and regulation in shaping the future of coliving Whether you’re an aspiring coliving founder or an industry enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert advice. 📌 Don’t miss it! Watch now to learn how to thrive in the coliving space. Brought to you by: The Coliving Incubator Program by Artof.Co - - - ⚡️ For more ways to grow your coliving business, consider joining the Coliving Incubator Program: https://www.artof.co/coliving-incubator The Artof.Co Incubator is a 12-month milestone-based program helping coliving entrepreneurs successfully conceptualize, build, and operate sustainable coliving businesses. We will help you make the right decisions and learn best practices along the way of setting up and scaling your business, giving you access to masterminds, a community of peers, mentors, and a milestone-based program with resources. 📙 And make sure to start with the Art of Coliving Book: https://www.artof.co/art-of-coliving-book Get insights, frameworks, and learnings from 200+ coliving entrepreneurs on how to create, launch, run, and scale a coliving space. This book has been written by interviewing coliving founders. It summarizes best practices in community building, real estate sourcing, financial models, marketing, architecture, and all other subjects related to building out your coliving business. #Coliving #CommunityBuilding #DigitalNomads #RemoteWork

    43 min
  5. The Secret to Thriving Coliving Spaces: User Experience Done Right with Sandra Abrouk, Ep:13

    11/29/2024

    The Secret to Thriving Coliving Spaces: User Experience Done Right with Sandra Abrouk, Ep:13

    In this episode of the Coliving Innovators Podcast, we sit down with Sandra Abrouk, a seasoned UX designer and digital nomad who has worked with over 10 coliving brands globally. Together, we explore the critical role of user experience (UX) in shaping community-focused coliving spaces. Sandra breaks down her 5-step methodology to design seamless and transformative coliving experiences, shares her insights on why UX is key to building a thriving coliving brand, and highlights the common mistakes operators make when scaling their spaces. Whether you’re launching your first coliving venture or looking to improve an existing one, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and inspiring anecdotes. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why UX is essential for building a strong coliving brand. - How to use research, ideation, and prototyping to design meaningful experiences. - The KPIs and tangible outcomes of a great user experience. - Practical tips for aspiring coliving operators to create sustainable and community-driven spaces. Tune in to gain expert insights that can transform your coliving journey. Resources and Links: - Connect with Sandra Abrouk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-abrouk/ - Coliving Incubator Program: https://www.artof.co/coliving-incubator Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found this episode valuable! - - - ⚡️ For more ways to grow your coliving business, consider joining the Coliving Incubator Program: https://www.artof.co/coliving-incubator The Artof.Co Incubator is a 12-month milestone-based program helping coliving entrepreneurs successfully conceptualize, build, and operate sustainable coliving businesses. We will help you make the right decisions and learn best practices along the way of setting up and scaling your business, giving you access to masterminds, a community of peers, mentors, and a milestone-based program with resources. 📙 And make sure to start with the Art of Coliving Book: https://www.artof.co/art-of-coliving-book Get insights, frameworks, and learnings from 200+ coliving entrepreneurs on how to create, launch, run, and scale a coliving space. This book has been written by interviewing coliving founders. It summarizes best practices in community building, real estate sourcing, financial models, marketing, architecture, and all other subjects related to building out your coliving business. #Coliving #CommunityBuilding #DigitalNomads #RemoteWork

    49 min
  6. Reviving Ruins to Build Communities: How Cactus Coliving is Transforming Lives in Canary Islands, Ep:12

    11/16/2024

    Reviving Ruins to Build Communities: How Cactus Coliving is Transforming Lives in Canary Islands, Ep:12

    Join us on this episode of the Coliving Innovators Podcast as we sit down with María Mayordomo Iglesias, founder of Cactus Coliving in the Canary Islands. María shares her incredible journey of transforming abandoned spaces into thriving coliving communities. Discover: 🌱 How coliving spaces can uplift local economies through thoughtful integration. 🏠 Why transforming unused or ruined properties is a win-win for communities and entrepreneurs. 🤝 Building meaningful communities for digital nomads while preserving cultural authenticity. 🌍 Sustainability hacks: How Cactus Coliving leverages solar energy and local partnerships to minimize its environmental footprint. Whether you’re a coliving entrepreneur or a digital nomad, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build impactful coliving spaces. 🔗 Connect with Maria & learn more about Cactus Coliving here:Cactus Coliving: https://www.cactuscoliving.com/# Follow Maria: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mar%C3%ADamayordomoigle12/ We hope you find this conversation inspiring and insightful! If you have any suggestions for future guests, let us know in the comments below 🙂 - - - ⚡️ For more ways to grow your coliving business, consider joining the Coliving Incubator Program: https://www.artof.co/coliving-incubator The Artof.Co Incubator is a 12-month milestone-based program helping coliving entrepreneurs successfully conceptualize, build and operate sustainable coliving businesses. We will help you make the right decisions and learn best practices along the way of setting up and scaling your business, giving you access to masterminds, a community of peers, mentors, and a milestone based program with resources. 📙 And make sure to start with the Art of Coliving Book: https://www.artof.co/art-of-coliving-book Get insights, frameworks, and learnings from 200+ coliving entrepreneurs on how to create, launch, run, and scale a coliving space. This book has been written by interviewing coliving founders. It summarizes best practices in community building, real estate sourcing, financial models, marketing, architecture, and all other subjects related to building out your coliving business. #Coliving #CommunityBuilding #DigitalNomads #RemoteWork

    42 min
  7. Scaling Coliving: Lessons on Community, Real Estate, & Technology from Alihoop’s COO Samuel, Ep 11

    11/08/2024

    Scaling Coliving: Lessons on Community, Real Estate, & Technology from Alihoop’s COO Samuel, Ep 11

    In this episode of Coliving Innovators, host Mayank Pokharna sits down with Samuel, COO and co-founder of Alihoop, a community-centric coliving brand with a focus on scaling vibrant, tech-enabled living spaces. Starting from his journey managing hostels in Southeast Asia to building a purpose-driven coliving experience in Sweden, Samuel shares the invaluable lessons he’s learned along the way.Key topics include:- The impact of community on resident satisfaction- How Alihoop leverages technology to scale while enhancing resident experience- Insights on funding, property acquisition, and growth strategies in the coliving industry- Advice for new coliving entrepreneurs on choosing a business model and building communityTune in to learn how Alihoop is transforming coliving and the valuable strategies that can help you start and scale your own coliving space. Whether you’re new to coliving or a seasoned operator, this episode is packed with actionable insights.🔗 Connect with Samuel & learn more about Allihoop Coliving here:Burgas Coliving: https://www.allihoopliving.com/Follow Katya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-gielisWe hope you find this conversation inspiring and insightful! If you have any suggestions for future guests, let us know in the comments below 🙂- - - ⚡️ For more ways to grow your coliving business, consider joining the Coliving Incubator Program: https://www.artof.co/coliving-incubatorThe Artof.Co Incubator is a 12-month milestone-based program helping coliving entrepreneurs successfully conceptualize, build and operate sustainable coliving businesses. We will help you make the right decisions and learn best practices along the way of setting up and scaling your business, giving you access to masterminds, a community of peers, mentors, and a milestone based program with resources.📙 And make sure to start with the Art of Coliving Book: https://www.artof.co/art-of-coliving-book Get insights, frameworks, and learnings from 200+ coliving entrepreneurs on how to create, launch, run, and scale a coliving space. This book has been written by interviewing coliving founders. It summarizes best practices in community building, real estate sourcing, financial models, marketing, architecture, and all other subjects related to building out your coliving business.

    50 min
  8. Transforming a Post-Communist Mindset: Katya’s Coliving Mission in Bulgaria, Episode 10.

    10/26/2024

    Transforming a Post-Communist Mindset: Katya’s Coliving Mission in Bulgaria, Episode 10.

    In this episode of Coliving Innovators, we sit down with Katya Dimitrova, founder of Burgas Coliving in Bulgaria. Katya shares her inspiring journey from urban planner to coliving founder, her vision of bringing new cultural perspectives to a post-communist society, and the operational challenges of building a coliving space from the ground up. Tune in to learn about location strategies, operational tips, integrating the local economy, and how passion drives community building. 🎧 Listen to learn about: ✅ The importance of accessible location and destination marketing ✅ How urban planning skills can shape a coliving community ✅ Building community by involving locals and fostering cultural exchange ✅ Why heart-driven leadership is essential for long-term success Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more exciting stories from coliving pioneers! 🔗 Connect with Katya & learn more about Burgas Coliving here: Burgas Coliving: https://burgascoliving.com/ Follow Katya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiadimitrova/?originalSubdomain=bg We hope you find this conversation inspiring and insightful! If you have any suggestions for future guests, let us know in the comments below 🙂 - - - ⚡️ For more ways to grow your coliving business, consider joining the Coliving Incubator Program: https://www.artof.co/coliving-incubator The Artof.Co Incubator is a 12-month milestone-based program helping coliving entrepreneurs successfully conceptualize, build and operate sustainable coliving businesses. We will help you make the right decisions and learn best practices along the way of setting up and scaling your business, giving you access to masterminds, a community of peers, mentors, and a milestone based program with resources. 📙 And make sure to start with the Art of Coliving Book: https://www.artof.co/art-of-coliving-book Get insights, frameworks, and learnings from 200+ coliving entrepreneurs on how to create, launch, run, and scale a coliving space. This book has been written by interviewing coliving founders. It summarizes best practices in community building, real estate sourcing, financial models, marketing, architecture, and all other subjects related to building out your coliving business. #Coliving #CommunityBuilding #DigitalNomads #RemoteWork #BurgasColiving

    52 min

About

Learnings from the journeys of Coliving Founders worldwide. In the last 3 years, Mayank Pokharna spoke to 400+ stakeholders in the coliving community and had a lot of learnings in the process. When Gui told him, Why don't you record your conversations and leave them for the world? EVERYTHING COLIVING PODCAST came into being. Every week we release one conversation with a coliving founder, talking about Everything Coliving. Let's learn from those who build. In this series, we talk to leading coliving founders and learn about their coliving business models, challenges, learnings, and stories.