Coworking is a booming industry that’s united entrepreneurs, community builders and creatives from across the globe.
One of the core forces driving this growth and innovation is social media, which enables industry leaders to connect unlike ever before.
Whether you’re in charge of a coworking space or you’re thinking about starting one, following these 16 people below is sure to inspire and motivate you.
Amy Nelson, CEO and Founder of The Riveter
Amy Nelson is one of the major figures in Seattle’s coworking community. Her coworking company, The Riveter, is an organization focused on women entrepreneurs, freelancers and employees. We noted in a previous post how The Riveter also offers wellness programs for members. But the scope of Nelson’s goals are much wider than creating an awesome coworking space. In a 2017 interview at Forbes, she describes her motivation for founding The Riveter as a place that can support women and provide them with a professional network. Nelson says her inspiration came into focus when she became a mother — and when she learned how many highly trained professional women “off-ramp” their professional lives when they have children (43 percent). “In this statistic, I found greater clarity,” she tells Forbes. “It strengthened my desire to help women—be it founders, freelancers or entrepreneurs—learn the skills they need to overcome the inequities they face.” Follow The Riveter on Twitter: @therivetercoLiz Elam, Executive Producer of the Global Coworking Unconference Conference (GCUC)
Liz Elam is the founder of The Global Coworking Unconference, the largest coworking conference series across the globe. This organization is dedicated to driving evolution and innovation in the world of coworking. For that reason, their conferences are aimed at helping unite people across all industries that can play a role in coworking. These include technology, real estate, business and all things work-related. On the GCUC Twitter feed, you’ll find informative advice on all things remote work, creativity and business success. Follow GCUC on Twitter: @GCUCGLOBALIris Kavanagh, Founder of Coworking with Iris
Iris Kavanagh leads and consults coworking mastermind groups seeking deeper connections. She is also the founder of Coworking with Iris, which creates content for driving the coworking movement forward. Whether its a workspace creator in real estate or a community catalyst in the creative arts, Coworking with Iris will introduce you to a wealth of inspiration about unconventional work environments. Follow her on Twitter: @iriskavanaghJamie Russo, Executive Director of the Global Workspace Association
After being burned out and frustrated by corporate America’s 9-to-5 schedule, Jamie Russo found solace in coworking. She first created Enerspace Coworking to provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to collaborate in a creative and inspiring environment. Then, she served as the president of the League of Extraordinary Coworking Spaces before becoming the Executive Director of the Global Workspace Association. Russo’s industry blog, titled Everything Coworking, helps industry players find, build, market and create effective coworking spaces that drive both revenue and productivity. Follow her on Twitter: @evrythingcoworkAmit Gupta, Founder of Jelly and Photojojo
Amit Gupta is an entrepreneur and the creative mind behind Jelly, a casual and informative working event hosted in cities across the globe. Jelly is a unique approach to coworking because it doesn’t unite people in a specific place. Instead, it focuses on flexible office spaces. Jelly events can be hosted at coffee shops, offices and even people’s homes. It provides remote workers with a chance to experience the creative brainstorming, sharing and camaraderie of a traditional office, without the drama and politics. On Amit’s Twitter feed, you’ll find endless inspiration on coworking, creativity and living your best life. Follow him on Twitter: @superamitChelsea Rustrum, Sharing Economy Consultant
Chelsea Rustrum has a wide range of experience building communities, organizing events and consulting on the sharing economy. She is the co-author of a book, It’s a Shareable Life, which focuses on the benefits and logistics of the sharing economy in the digital age. Rustrum’s work has operated at the intersection of collaboration, business and economics, showing how unconventional working environments can make entrepreneurship more accessible and efficient. Rustrum’s Twitter feed spans all things tech and sharing, and you’ll find interesting insights on topics like destination coworking, blockchains, online privacy, cooperative organizations and more. Follow her Twitter: @chelsearustrum
Alex Hillman, Founder of Indyhall
As the founder of Indyhall, a popular coworking space in Philadelphia, Alex Hillman knows a thing or two about collaboration. Hillman is a believer in strong relationships and work-life balance, and his coworking space emphasizes a well-rounded work experience that includes social and creative elements. Plus, he is a writer and a podcaster. He uses both media to share information on everything from lighting design in coworking spaces to effective, inclusive community spaces. Follow Hillman on Twitter to stay updated with his philosophies on work, office design, goal-setting and collaboration. Follow him on Twitter: @alexhillmanGerald Smith, Founder and CEO of Plexpod Coworking
Plexpod Coworking unites entrepreneurs and startups in inspiring, innovation-driven offices. Founder Gerald Smith started Plexpod Coworking because he wanted to create a collaborative environment that was more inclusive to companies and creative thinkers, no matter what their background or resources. The company also furthers equal opportunities for startups by providing essential resources like photography studios, event spaces, soundstages, kitchens and more. Plexpod currently has three spaces in Kansas City, but the organization plans on expanding in the coming years. Follow him on Twitter: @GeraldSmithAlex Ahom, Founder of SHHARED
SHHARED is a unique coworking business that helps bring freelancers, entrepreneurs and other digital nomads together in a single space in Hamburg, Germany. Founder Alex Ahom leveraged his experiences working at places like Apple to create a coworking experiences that inspires creativity and productivity. Ahom also believes in creating coworking spaces that imitate the atmosphere of startup companies, and SHHARED’s perks certainly evoke that feeling. Follow SHHARED on Twitter: @shharedMike Larosa, Founder of Agora RDM
Agora RDM focuses on optimizing shared workspaces, boosting professional communities and managing commercial real estate spaces for coworking. As the founder of this company, Mike Larosa is an expert in both flex-use workspaces and non-traditional shared space concepts. Larosa also has a background in real estate management, which enables him to provide superior shared workspace hosting services to people in need of collaborative spaces. Larosa’s Twitter feed is filled with updates on the latest in digital and collaborative technology. Follow him on Twitter: @thecoworkaholicFelena Hanson, Founder of Hera Hub
Felena Hanson was one of the first founders to bring upscale coworking to women in the modern era. Her company, Hera Hub, provides relaxing, inclusive coworking for entrepreneurial women. In addition to providing entrepreneurial women with an inspiring place to work, Hera Hub also functions as a business accelerator that provides mentoring, business advice and collaboration. Fenela Hanson is a mastermind when it comes to women’s coworking spaces, and her company is currently expanding internationally. Follow her on Twitter for inspiration and advice on things like female empowerment, creative collaboration, business acceleration and gender equality in the workplace. Follow here on Twitter: @felenahanson