Flex Uncensored - A Coworking Podcast

Jamie Russo and Giovanni Palavacini
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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. 5H AGO

    179. From Harlem to Rock Hill: Derek and Broyny Vitatoe on Opening Work at Wheel

    This week, Jamie Russo and Giovanni Palavicini sit down with Derek and Broyny Vitatoe, co-founders of Work at Wheel in Rock Hill, South Carolina, just days before their official opening. Derek and Broyny left Harlem, New York with no idea where they'd open their coworking space. They just knew they wanted to blend corporate wellness, HR leadership, and their passion for movement into a space where people could work, move, and thrive. This conversation is pure joy. Derek's the visionary who wanted bikes in every office. Broyny's the integrator who reins him in (lovingly). Together, they've built something special—and their journey to get here is a masterclass in perseverance, partnership, and trusting the process. We talk about: How Shark Tank during the pandemic led to the Work at Wheel concept The moment they realized 5,000 square feet wouldn't cut it—and how they got to 16,000 How Gio drove them around Houston looking at spaces (and why they walked away) The Rock Hill deal—and the negotiation that almost fell apart over occupancy limits Why community buy-in matters more in Rock Hill than hustle ever did in New York Derek's background as a spin instructor, HR executive, film director, and author (yes, really) How Broyny went from introvert to confidently leading tours and closing deals Their creative process for TikTok and Instagram content (and why they're both so good at it) The three things Broyny loves most about Derek (spoiler: generosity and energy top the list) How Derek proposed in Jamaica (and why Broyny says the ring was cubic zirconia) This conversation is proof that coworking isn't just about desks and offices—it's about people, passion, and building something that reflects who you are. If you're thinking about opening a space, wondering how long it really takes, or just need a dose of inspiration from two people who are all in, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Work at Wheel website Derek and Broyny on TikTok Derek on LinkedIn Broyny on LinkedIn Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    53 min

  2. FEB 3

    178. Virtual Offices as Your Revenue Foundation: David Steyn on What IWG Knows About Profit

    IWG doesn't give away free beer. And that's exactly why they're profitable. This week, Giovanni Palavicini and Kurt Patrick sit down with David Steyn, Senior Commercial Director at Anytime Mailbox and Anytime Postage, for a conversation about virtual offices, international coworking markets, and why adding revenue streams matters more than free perks. David spent years at IWG running their global virtual office business before joining Anytime Mailbox. And he's got perspective on what actually drives profit in coworking—from London's dense, prestige-address market to rural Scotland where a coworking space might also be the village bank, post office, and doctor's surgery. We talk about: Why IWG passed on free beer while WeWork gave everything away—and what that teaches operators about profit How virtual offices underwrite coworking businesses (especially in markets like London where privacy + prestige = demand) The three pricing tiers for virtual mail services—from $9.99 privacy addresses to $69+ premium bundles Why coworking works differently in the UK vs North America (density, leasehold history, GDPR compliance) How rural Scotland is deploying flexible hubs that serve as banks, post offices, and coworking spaces The postage kiosk play—1,500 deployed at IWG locations to turn mail into self-service revenue Why operators should focus on product mix and revenue streams, not just competing on space This conversation is proof that the best operators don't just lease space—they think strategically about every revenue stream, every compliance risk, and every service their members actually need. If you're wondering how to add revenue without adding staff, or how virtual offices fit into your business model, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: David Steyn on LinkedIn Kurt Patrick on LinkedIn Anytime Mailbox's website Anytime Postage's website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    46 min

  3. JAN 27

    177. Trust, Grace, and Radical Ownership: The 25N Leadership Team on What Makes Culture Work

    What happens when a COO, a Director of Brand and Culture, and a Director of Sales sit down together—and you realize they're not just colleagues, but people who genuinely love working together? This week, Giovanni Palavicini sits down with three members of the 25N leadership team—Meagan Slavin (COO), Sari Lash (Director of Brand and Culture), and Mecca Shannon (Director of Sales and Launch)—for one of the most heartfelt conversations about culture, leadership, and building a team that actually sticks around. They're in Dallas announcing 25N's third Texas location, and between the excitement of expansion, they open up about what makes their culture work: trust, grace, radical ownership, and the willingness to let people mess up without hiding it. We talk about: Why culture isn't HR fluff—it's a strategic advantage that impacts your bottom line The "people first" value and why it means hiring overachievers, then giving them grace How trust shows up when someone calls to say "I really screwed up—help me fix this" Why 25N has never described themselves as a "family" (and why boundaries matter) How Meagan's dad taught her she could conquer the world—and how she's passing that on Why pouring equally into every employee creates long-term wins The power of supportive partners who show up and hold down the fort This conversation is proof that great culture isn't about perks or buzzwords—it's about seeing people as humans, creating clear boundaries, and giving your team freedom to bring their best. If you're building a team or wondering how to scale culture as you grow, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Meagan Slavin on LinkedIn Sari Lash on LinkedIn Mecca Shannon on LinkedIn 25N Coworking website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    56 min

  4. JAN 14

    176. AI's Real Impact on Coworking: Ben Wright on Top Line Growth, Data Quality, and What Actually Works

    What happens when someone who lived through the internet boom of the '90s starts seeing the same patterns with AI—and decides to map out exactly what it means for your coworking business? This week, we chat with Ben Wright, who's spent eight years in flexible workspace—first at Square Foot, then leading office space.com at Instant Group, and now helping operators understand how AI will actually impact their P&L. Ben just launched a seven-part series breaking down AI's real applications in coworking. His bottom line: this is more about growing revenue than cutting costs. When 50% of your expenses are real estate, a chatbot isn't saving you money on rent. We talk about: Why AI feels eerily similar to the internet boom (and why that matters) The "wrong goes wrong, right goes right" principle—and why clean data wins How Unity AI is helping operators turn 70% of their leads into revenue Why 75% of AI agents built for Yardi do one thing: data cleaning Why human hospitality will never be replaced by a bot This conversation is proof that AI isn't about replacing humans—it's about freeing operators to do what they do best while automation handles the repetitive work. If you're wondering whether AI is hype or reality, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for what to implement now. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Ben Wright on LinkedIn Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    57 min

  5. JAN 6

    175. Translating Vision into Reality: Carly Bedini on Leading Operations at iQ Offices

    What happens when a VP of Operations becomes the translator between a founder's 3 a.m. ideas and the team that has to make them reality? Five years later, she's running the show. This week, we sit down with Carly Bedini, VP of Operations at iQ Offices, and her boss Kane Willmott for one of the most honest, hilarious, and heartfelt conversations we've had on this podcast. Carly came from nonprofits and events. She had no idea what coworking was. But she knew how to lead teams, manage chaos, and translate a founder's vision into operational reality. And that's exactly what she's been doing for Kane and his co-founder Alex ever since. In this episode, we talk about: How Carly went from running We Day events in Canada to becoming Kane's operational translator Why Kane now trusts Carly to speak at industry events more than he speaks himself The GWA Atlanta Immersive—and why smaller conferences force everyone to show up and be present How iQ is focusing on enterprise clients and broker relationships heading into 2026 Carly's 2026 goal: embrace AI and stop resisting Kane's ideas quite so hard This conversation is proof that the best hires aren't always the ones with industry experience—they're the ones who show up authentically, lead with humor, and aren't afraid to challenge their CEO while making magic happen behind the scenes. If you're a founder wondering how to let go and trust your team, or if you're an operator building a culture where people actually love coming to work, this episode is for you. _*]:min-w-0"> Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: _*]:min-w-0"> Carly Bedini on LinkedIn Kane Willmott on LinkedIn iQ Offices website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    56 min

  6. 12/23/2025

    174. From Event Space to Offices: Kim Lee on Strategic Pivots and Launching a Small Business Accelerator

    _*]:min-w-0"> What happens when a single-location operator who knows her numbers inside and out decides to fill a gap in her city's small business ecosystem? _*]:min-w-0"> This week, Jamie and Gio sit down with Kim Lee, founder and CEO of Forge in Birmingham, Alabama, for a conversation about strategic growth, mental health in our industry, and why she's launching a small business accelerator in January. _*]:min-w-0"> Kim shares how she went from a master's in counseling to running one of Birmingham's most hospitality-driven coworking spaces—and why she's still passionate about coaching and creating community. She also breaks down what made the GWA Atlanta Immersive so different from other conferences she's attended and why every single panel offered immediately actionable takeaways. _*]:min-w-0"> We talk about: _*]:min-w-0"> Why Kim converted her event space into offices (and how the math made sense) The gap in Birmingham's ecosystem that led to launching a Traction-based accelerator How her counseling background shapes the way Forge serves members Why the Atlanta Immersive felt more operator-focused than any conference she's been to The Alliance panel's surprising honesty—and how three competitors who'd never met became instant fans of each other Kim's favorite interview advice: keep it short so you don't like them too much The importance of mental health, self-care, and why family dinner counts as a win _*]:min-w-0"> If you're a single-location operator trying to differentiate in a crowded market—or wondering how to build something that truly serves your community—this episode is for you. _*]:min-w-0"> Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: _*]:min-w-0"> Kim Lee on LinkedIn Forge Coworking website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    55 min

  7. 12/16/2025

    173. From Networking to Implementation: Nicole Antolino and Brittany Alavinejad on AI, Specialization, and Hitting 100% Occupancy

    What happens when two first-time GWA Immersive attendees walk into a room of 77 people and realize there's nowhere to hide? This week, Jamie and Gio are joined by Nicole Antolino from FireWorks Coworking in Marietta, Georgia, and Brittany Alavinejad from Essential Offices in Oklahoma City for a fresh take on what made the Atlanta immersive so different from the big conferences. With 44 out of 77 attendees experiencing their first GWA event, the room was packed with new energy, honest questions, and real conversations about what's actually working in coworking right now. Nicole and Brittany share what stood out most—from AI and marketing panels to culture conversations and the surprisingly candid Alliance panel where a near-lawsuit turned into newfound respect. We talk about: Why the intimate format made it impossible to be a wallflower—and why that mattered Courtney Schwartz's AI panel debut and the power of AEO/GEO over traditional SEO How video testimonials and member stories beat flashy marketing every time The Alliance panel's real talk on managed service agreements and market saturation Why specialization is working for attorneys, creatives, and niche industries Brittany hitting 100% occupancy in Edmond and pre-leasing offices for next year Nicole's journey from two major member losses to nearly sold out by year-end If you've been wondering what the smaller GWA events feel like—or how operators are actually implementing what they learn the day they get back—this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Nicole Antolino on LinkedIn Brittany Alavinejad on LinkedIn FireWorks Coworking website Essential Offices website Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    53 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    172. Inside Coworking Europe: Kane Willmott and Eyal Lasker on Multi-Location Operators and Europe's Advanced Market

    div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 standard-markdown"> What happens when you bring together operators and industry insiders who've just experienced the most eye-opening coworking conference in years? This week, Jamie and Gio are joined by Kane Willmott and Eyal Lasker for a deep dive into Coworking Europe— and the conversation is full of surprises, market insights, and real talk about where the flex industry is heading globally. Over 500 people gathered in Berlin for what many are calling the best coworking conference they've attended. Kane and Eyal share what made it so different from North American events, why the European market is years ahead, and what operators everywhere can learn from how the rest of the world does flex. We talk about: Why multi-location operators dominate Europe while single-location indies thrive in North America How European operators commonly own their buildings—and why 25-year UK leases drive 10% flex market penetration Kane's take on profitable consolidation versus distressed asset roll-ups How Flexspace is building an AI assistant trained only on your occupancy data If you've been curious about what the global flex industry looks like beyond North America—or why Europe is so far ahead—this episode will shift your perspective on what's possible. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Kane on LinkedIn Eyal on LinkedIn Connect with your Hosts: Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

    50 min
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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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