Coworking is on the Rise in WNY

Coworking may not be new to big cities around the world, but in Buffalo - I like to call us “traditional”, we’re finally getting the idea. Surrounding areas have had coworking spaces for nearly a decade and it’s an understatement to say I’m ecstatic!

I was introduced to coworking back in 2014 at Venture X in Naples, FL before it became a nationwide franchise. I was blown away by the space itself, the networking opportunities and flexible workspace. Even though at the time I wasn’t freelancing yet, I utilized the space for hosting events and extensive networking opportunities. At the time, I had no idea Convergence Coworking would be in the cards for me.

Over the years I went from full-time employee to side-hustler to full-time freelancer, now coworking space owner - crazy I know! But I digress…

When I returned to Buffalo in 2017, I was pleased to find dig at the Innovation Center as a part of 43 North. In 2019, when I went freelance full-time and hosted Buffalo’s first Freelance Business Week, I discovered UNOVA Coworking in Springville, NY, TreC in Niagara Falls, and Inception Buffalo in North Tonawanda. Now, I’ve discovered The K Haus, HANSA, Seneca One/Serendipity Labs (March 2021), Radius Cowork in Erie, PA, Metro Cowork in Rochester, and founded Convergence Coworking - coworking is 100% on the rise in WNY.

Still being able to count the number of coworking spaces on my hands, I know coworking is still just beginning in WNY. With newer coworking spaces on the horizon, it’s an honor to be among them.

Especially in a pandemic, the opportunities within coworking spaces are endless. Serving freelancers, solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, start-ups, professionals, and corporations, coworking spaces have the opportunity to rent private office space, host events, meetings, and open coworking. The benefits of these services are expanded networks online and in-person, collaborations, and more. In a world where we need to be socially distant, we can still come together.

I’ve taken the time to visit other coworking spaces across the country - Venture X, SC, The Exchange, SC and Luminary, NYC. It’s a pleasure to be hosted by these spaces and hear about their successes and failures. We’re able to learn the best and worse of other spaces and incorporate them in our spaces here in WNY.

If you’re a freelancer, solopreneur, entrepreneur, start-up founder, professional or corporation, you better look into coworking spaces in order to expand your horizons. You don’t have to commit to more than you’re comfortable with - rent a private office, rent a meeting room for the day, openly cowork with whoever’s in the space that day, or host an event. As I said, the opportunities are endless, but you’ll always find someone or someTHING new in the space and that’s the glory of it all.

Coworking is on the rise in WNY and you’ll want to be a part of it, support it, and encourage it. See you around!