I was inspired to return based on recent coworking experiences.  In January, I moved into a coworking space (started my business in December, but that’s another story).  It’s a casual, intimate, beachside space that you won’t find on the coworking wiki or in a Google search. It’s just an awesome space that a familiar face in the neighborhood happened to mention to me at just the right time.

But that’s not why I’m writing. I’m writing because I had to share how awesome coworking is. There was a Jelly today at the CoLoft, a new coworking space in Santa Monica.  I’ve been there a number of times before, and it’s always been GREAT.

Today was no exception. In the span of a few hours, I:
a) got the design of my company’s website finalized (being built by a coworker)
b) learned some interesting things about Febook that I didn’t know
c) made a connection that could lead to work
d) reconnected with a really cool guy with a really cool business
e) had partners-in-crime for a nearby happy hour (with wifi, so I could keep working)

I also wound up almost attending an event at the space. I had to leave, but I met the founder before I left. She had organized an afterparty at a nearby wine bar and encouraged me to come. There, I met a number of interesting people, and spent most of my time with a super well-connected, smart and interesting guy (NOT romantic). He invited me to 3-4 other events this week, two of which I’ll likely attend.

Aaaahhh… all in a day’s work.

That’s all for now folks.  Can barely keep my eyes open, but wanted to get this out while it still  legitimately (if not technically) can be called “today’s adventures.”

Nitey-nite!

If you’re reading this right now,

Welcome to the wonderful world of coworking! There are tons of resources out there, so this is just a quickie overview of some of the best places to start.

What’s this “coworking” thing?

According to Wikipedia: “Coworking is an emerging trend for a new pattern for working. Typically, work-at-home professionals or independent contractors or people who travel frequently end up working in an isolated way. Coworking is the social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share values and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same place.“ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coworking

Resources to get you started:

• Coworking wiki (ground zero – massive resource): http://coworking.pbworks.com
• Coworking blog: www.blog.coworking.info  
• Jelly wiki (casual coworking groups across the globe): http://wiki.workatjelly.com
• Tips for starting a coworking group/space:
  • http://wiki.workatjelly.com/HowtoStartaJelly
  • http://coworking.pbworks.com/SpaceCatalyst

Groups where you can join the conversation:

• Google group (most established group): http://groups.google.com/group/coworking
• LinkedIn group: http: www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=33807
• Twitter Twibe  (just started, so be at the bleeding edge and JOIN…please.  All the cool kids will be doing it.):  www.twibes.com/coworking

LA area people & places:

• JellyLA: www.meetup.com/jellyla  
  • Santa Monica: Funnel Mill, 930 Broadway (Cafe with Jellies every other Friday, 3-6p – unless we get booted)
  • Silverlake: see below
• WHERE (1519 Griffith Park Blvd., Silverlake) New coworking space currently offering pre-opening specials.  They’re hosting a Jelly this Friday 4/8, 3-6pm. www.meetmixmogul.com
• Blankspaces (5405 Wilshire, Mid-Wilshire area)  Large coworking space with daily, monthly or yearly packages. www.blankspaces.com

My personal favorite places & ways to cowork:

• I practically live at The Cow’s End in Venice (come after 11am & you’ll probably see me there).  Got a good group of regulars; we check in and are able to help one another on occasion.
• My old flat: huge house, big common area + adjoining office, huge whiteboard for silly games to break the monotony. Highly recommend getting a group together and working out of someone’s home.
• Anyplace with great ambience.  I tend to like cafes that feel like they were decorated by your crazy pack-rat great aunt.  But that’s me. I’m curious…

 What about you?  What spaces, places, people or amenities float your boat?

Coworking at home: late nights and laughter

It’s only been a couple of months, but I knew at first sight.

I was living with 5 guys and a girl – half were entrepreneurs. (Plus, two of the remaining three were developing side ventures.) Although I still loved and regularly visited my cafes, I was – for the very first time – able to enjoy working from home. We’d sit around the coffee table on our laptops, working solo but always able to bounce around ideas or ask for input as challenges arose.  We’d start in the morning, taking breaks for tamales, ice cream or  rock climbing sessions, and work until well past midnight.  It was great.

Then we had an idea… Why not open the house up to other indies and have fresh entrepreneurial blood around?  We were planning to put up a CL ad. Then Laid-Off Camp happened.

I discovered a name for what we were doing:  CO-WORKING. It was something that I had hugely craved throughout my workspace-seeking days.  I learned it was a small but growing movement; that there was a recently-published book about it (“I’m Outta Here!” http://www.lulu.com/content/6113756); there were people doing it – a wiki, a Google group, Jellies, shared spaces…  I felt like a queer small-town kid stumbling into a gay pride parade.

How did I miss all this?

I already had the idea of developing Work Habitats into something that could help people find better spaces and ways to work.  What I was missing was the uber-important piece of connecting people with one another.  With that awareness it felt more real – and more scary.  Like an actual (gasp!) commitment.

It’s taken (is taking?) me awhile, but I’m diving in. I visited a bunch of coworking spaces while in SF, am joining groups (even started one on Twitter: http://twibes.com/coworking – JOIN! :), and am working on building this blog into a useful resource.

I was a little afraid that people who’ve been in the space for awhile would balk at my attempts to be the kind of resource that I hope to be… Then I smacked myself with a big “duh” –  the more the merrier!

This is a movement, afterall!!!

Disclaimer: this place doesn’t offer wifi. At least not the kind that you don’t have to steal.  But I’m including it here because it’s been the home of many of my most inspiring afternoons.  I’ve had a greater number of focused reading or writing sessions here than just about anywhere else in NY.

Maybe it ain’t so bad going without wifi once in awhile. (Gasp!)

This place is about location, location, location. It’s on one of the best the corners in one of the best neighborhoods in NY (says me).  Want buzz?  Try 9th & A — throw a coffee mug and you hit a bar, restaurant, organic [fill-in-the-blank], or teenage rebel without a cause.  Good for people like me that want to be around the mix, even if they’re not in it.

It also offers serenity now. (Gotta love that Seinfeld episode.)  Ask someone to watch your stuff and pop across the street to Tompkins Square Park.  Granted, it’s far from zen – but I’ve always found that just being amidst trees and being able to watch puppies play in the dog park helps unclog my head.  And just after it snows… OMG.

As for food and drink, the coffee’s okay, the food’s okay, the service is okay.   They have enough to keep you from chewing off your arm, but n

othing that I became addicted to.  (I usually did the yogurt/granola or breakfast sandwich thing – both tasty and a pretty decent deal.)

Oh, and for those who work late:  wine bottles and candles come out at night. Creates a cozy – yet still productive – environment.  Plus, it’s an easy transition to, “I’m working right now, but almost done – why don’t you come down and meet me?”

Outside The Cow's End - Venice Beach, CA

Uh, the beach is at the end of the block.  Hullo — does it get any better?  Especially when you’ve had your head down, inches away from a laptop screen for hours.  Great prescription for clearing the mind, unblocking the flow of creative juices, or getting some mid-work exercise if you bring running shoes or a bike.

The Cow’s size is also a huge plus, with 2 rooms of tables upstairs, a bit of seating downstairs, and more room to park yourself (sans outlets) outside.

The menu is a motley mix of wraps, sandwiches, salads, and smoothies, so you’ll have all the nourishment you need for a full day’s work.  (Plus, there are restaurants all around and a Mexican place next door that has great deals, including my personal fave, Taco Tuesdays: $5 buys all you can eat.)

Free wifi, good coffees and other hot drinks, and a friendly neighborhood vibe top off this fave.

Just bring your patience and be prepared for the possibility of long, slow lines and not having a table available immediately, despite the number of seats (hey, it’s a popular place).

Back room for reading, writing and wifi

I told you it's near the beach...

Since putting them all in one post would be a scroll-down to end all scroll-downs, we’ll just take them one at a time.

Starting… NOW.

Poolside at the Ritz. A cabana and free wifi... What's not to love?

…That’s what I thought as I sat with my laptop in a poolside cabana at the Ritz Carlton.  I had free wifi, a gorgeous view and the occasional staff person dropping by with another glass of ice water.  I didn’t spend a dime (outside of what I left for the guys who had been keeping me cool all day), and got loads done.

I left wondering, ”Why would anyone work from home – or Starbucks – if they could work from someplace like this???”  I’ve always been someone who enjoys working outside the office, but that day at the Ritz ignited a passion to share my workspace gems with others. 

That’s why I’m here, writing to you right now.  I recognize that different places resonate with different people at different times and for different purposes… My goal here is to share the work habitats that I love most, in hopes that you’ll either dig them, be inspired to find others, or create spaces of your own.

Cheers!  And happy working!