The Flex Factor

Spacebring

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.

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

    -5 ДН.

    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 мин.
  2. 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 мин.

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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.