Community still matters most for this Colorado coworking space

Open since 2015, Connects Workspace is located in the heart of Golden, Colorado. Take a visit to this vibrant downtown and you’ll find amazing restaurants, charming shops and plenty of opportunities for kayaking, hiking or cycling. Locals are true professionals when it comes to work-life balance, and Connects serves as the hub for startups, small businesses and freelancers to engage with and support each other. Proximity spoke with owner Jennifer Thoemke to learn more about her coworking space and what makes the member community so strong.

Why did you decide to open a coworking space?

I had always wanted to start my own business and thought that coworking fit my passion for building community. I jumped out of corporate America in 2015 and haven’t looked back.

Tell us about your space. What kinds of amenities does it have? What makes it unique?

Connects Workspace is located in Golden, Colorado. My husband is a general contractor and has done all of our design and build out. We currently have 15,000 square feet of space in historic buildings throughout a one-block radius of downtown Golden. We are in a community that is walkable with a lot of restaurants and right on the foothills. We are a family-run business and like to treat each of our members like one of the family.

What is your favorite thing about operating a coworking space?

I love building community! My favorite part of the day is seeing members connect, work together and build friendships.

What’s your favorite story about one of your members?

I have a member that moved from Chicago to Evergreen (the foothills above Golden). She went from open coworking to two offices in a short span of a couple of years. Her growth was based on the connections that she made here at Connects Workspace. Her membership fees are easily offset by the business she has engaged in. She did this by being of service to others.

What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing about operating a coworking space?

I was hopeful that my members would take ownership and care for Connects like it was their own, but it is still surprising to see the amount of love and care they give to Connects.

What advice would you offer to someone wanting to open a coworking space?

Be patient and be of service to your community. People can smell desperation. Find ways to connect to your community and they will want to be a part of the great thing you have started.

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