Building community in a coworking space starts with intention

Hi, I’m Jae’Lynn, Community Coordinator at Groundwork and a yoga teacher exploring creative collaboration. I wrote this because I’ve experienced how powerful it is when people are given space not just to work, but to connect, share ideas, and create together.

It’s not just a workspace

Over the years, the way people work has changed dramatically. More remote and hybrid schedules brought more flexibility, but also a sense of isolation. While working from home can (sometimes) be convenient, it lacks the casual connection and collaborative energy of a shared workspace.

That’s where community-driven coworking steps in. The new era of work is not just about a vibey spot to sit with your laptop, it’s about connection. The diversity of our members is what truly creates an ecosystem where entrepreneurs, freelancers, artists, and remote workers can build real, meaningful connections.

At Groundwork, there is intention to create opportunities for members to meet, collaborate, and learn from one another. This often happens naturally through informal conversations, but also in structured programming that leads to partnerships, mentorship, unexpected creative collaborations and learning experiences. I’ve experienced this firsthand at BizLab.

Learning from each other: The role of Biz Lab

One way this community learning happens is through Biz Lab, a weekly gathering where members come together to discuss ideas, share challenges, and exchange advice about building their businesses. There’s no formal presentations or lectures. Instead, it’s about real conversations and open dialogue. We discuss everything from marketing strategies to creative blocks.

Having the support of a community that responds with insight and valuable perspective goes a long way. I experienced the benefit of Biz Lab immediately within 4 months of starting at Groundwork.

As a yoga teacher, I’m interested in hosting yoga events and workshops. Through Biz lab, I connected with Korie Ellis-St.Pierre, artist and owner of Falling Off Trees which led to a very successful yoga and art event collaboration right here at Groundwork. 

Celebrating members through Breakfast of Champions

Community also grows when people have the chance to tell their stories. Groundwork’s Breakfast of Champions brings members together to spotlight one or two entrepreneurs and their businesses over coffee and a light breakfast.

During these gatherings, members share what they do, why they started their business, and the path that led them there. The conversations that follow often spark curiosity. People ask questions, offer support, and sometimes discover opportunities to work together. It’s a simple concept, but it reflects a larger idea: when people understand each other’s work and passions, stronger conections naturally form. 

A monthly pause for connection

Community at Groundwork also grows through small, consistent moments of connection. Those moments happens every first Tuesday of the month during our member lunch.

Once a month, members gather in the middle of the workday to share a meal from a local food spot, courtesy of Groundwork. This is my personal favorite time of the month. These gatherings aren’t about productivity. They’re about stepping away from a screen, catching up, and building relationships.

Taking the time to gather with intention, even if it’s only for 5-10 minutes, helps strengthen the sense of community that makes spaces like Groundwork feel less like an office and more like a shared home. 

Why community matters more than ever

As remote work continues to grow, many professionals are searching for ways to stay connected to others while maintaining flexibility.

Yes, you could stop by a hotel or a cafe, but the hospitality in those settings tend to feel transactional. You might exchange a quick greeting with a barista or sit among strangers working quietly on their laptops, but those interactions rarely grow into meaningful connections. Community-driven coworking offers something more.

In a coworking environment, the people around you slowly become familiar faces. Conversations that begin over coffee turn into collaborations, partnerships, or friendships. Members begin to understand each other, what they do, what they are building, and how they can support one another.

By creating space for intentional connection, coworking proves that where you work can become something much more meaningful than just a work place. It can become a community where people take a genuine interest in one another’s success and support each other’s growth along the way.