In this episode, Hector welcomes Rafi Sands from Tandem, a company innovating in the flexible office space market. Rafi discusses Tandem's origins, its unique position in the FlexSpace industry, and its recent shift from fractional offices to offering flexible, short-term lease arrangements. Rafi emphasizes how Tandem differentiates itself from traditional coworking platforms by targeting well-funded, growing companies seeking flexible office spaces. He also explains Tandem's business model, which includes the use of AI to enhance customer experience and streamline leasing processes. The episode also delves into Tandem's recent $6.1 million funding round and future plans focused on advancing their tech infrastructure.

00:00 Introduction

01:08 Tandem's Origin and Concept of Fractional Offices

02:01 Expansion Beyond Fractional Offices

02:16 Tandem's Position in the FlexSpace Industry

03:35 The Stanford Connection and Early Data Insights

04:58 How Tandem Works Today

09:37 Business Model and Revenue Streams

19:02 AI and Technology in Office Leasing

22:49 Y Combinator Experience and Market Insights

26:55 Recent Funding and Future Plans

28:41 Conclusion and Contact Information

Join us as we delve into week seven's coworking recap with special guest Ben Wright from The Instant Group. Hosts Hector and Mike discuss the latest developments in coworking, including the exciting changes at The Instant Group, dynamic pricing strategies in the flexible workspace industry, and how online commerce trends are influencing physical coworking spaces. Ben shares insights on Instant Group's new initiatives, investments, and upcoming marketplace features. Plus, we explore the evolving relationship between digitally native companies and physical office spaces, touching on the potential for coworking spaces to incorporate retail elements. Don't miss this engaging discussion and submit your questions for our upcoming deep-dive session with Ben!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:18 Meet the Guest Co-Host: Ben Wright

00:56 Sponsorship and Instant Group Updates

05:10 Dynamic Pricing in Coworking

07:01 E-commerce and Coworking Synergy

12:35 Future Trends in Office Space

18:36 Retail and Coworking Convergence

30:02 Adaptive Reuse and Office Market Trends

31:27 Conclusion and Farewell

In this interview episode of the This Week in Coworking Podcast, Hector Kolonas chats with Flip Howard, a veteran in the coworking industry who is owner of Lucid Private Offices. The conversation spans Flip's almost quarter century long journey, beginning with acquiring Meridian Business Centers in 2001, through several rebrands, and evolving business models. Flip shares insights into the industry's past and future, from fax machines and T1 internet lines to virtual offices and hybrid memberships. He discusses Lucid's strategic shift to emphasize private offices, maintaining a customer-centric approach, and their resistance to management agreements in favor of traditional leases. The discussion also delves into operational philosophies, like treating team members well and focusing on unit economics for business longevity. The episode concludes with thoughts on the future of coworking, touching on e-commerce integration and the importance of maintaining a balance between personal and professional lives.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:51 Flip Howard's Journey into Coworking

01:37 Evolution of Office Space and Services

03:34 Rebranding to Lucid Private Offices

04:15 Current Offerings and Demographics

06:05 Changes in Business Models and Revenue Streams

10:07 The Importance of Physical Office Space

15:46 Team Dynamics and Employee Retention

18:01 Employer-Employee Relationship Dynamics

18:26 Leadership Style and Employee Satisfaction

20:17 Lucid's Business Model and Leasing Strategy

21:43 Management Agreements vs. Leases

24:42 Expansion Plans and New Markets

25:42 Technological Shifts in Coworking

26:56 Virtual Offices and New Product Trends

28:26 Core Principles and Company Rebranding

30:50 Advice for Building a Lasting Business

33:18 Final Thoughts and Personal Insights