Is it time for a coworking space in the North Austin - Round Rock area?
Coworking spaces are the alternative to working in coffee shops or working at home. The idea is to offer a space to entrepreneurs where they can work in their businesses and at the same time enjoy resources usually not found at coffee shops such as power outlets, reliable and free WiFi, large working space (larger tables than those found in coffee shops) and the ability to socialize as well.
Here is the Wikipedia definition:
Coworking is a style of work which involves a shared working environment, sometimes an office, yet independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization. Typically it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation. Coworking is the social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share values, and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space.
Some coworking spaces were developed by nomadic internet entrepreneurs seeking an alternative to working in coffee shops and cafes, or to isolation in independent or home offices. A 2007 survey showed that many employees worry about feeling isolated and losing human interaction if they were to telecommute. Roughly a third of both private and public-sector workers also reported that they didn’t want to stay at home during work. Coworking offers a solution to the problem of isolation that many freelancers experience while working at home, while at the same time letting them escape the distractions of home.
In Austin, we have Conjunctured, but there is nothing like it in North Austin – Round Rock. This area has grown significantly in the past few years, and it has a lot of potential for entrepreneurs, self-employed people and the like. The city of Round Rock is located 15 miles north of Austin. Round Rock is also the home of Dell computers and its combined property tax and utility rates are the lowest in the region.
There is also a “every-so-often casual” coworking group in the area that meets in various coffee shops around Round Rock, it is called Jelly in Round Rock. However, they don’t have a set place to gather, they try to meet weekly at coffee/sandwich shops.
I believe there is demand for a coworking space in this area, with the right space, the right location and the right price this can be done and will benefit all of us in North Austin. What do you think? please let us know your opinion and join the conversation.
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