Shows
The Flex FactorRefounding coworking: from shared desks to “pushing spaces” with Fernando Mendes (Cowork Lisboa)The true magic of coworking is the power of working alone, together.In this episode, Marc Navarro sits down with Fernando Mendes, a pioneer of the coworking movement in Portugal and co-founder of Cowork Lisboa. Fernando shares the unfiltered story of pioneering Portugal's flexible workspace scene since 2010 and why he believes the current trend of "mainstreamization" is a threat to the movement’s original magic.Key topics & timestamps:2:18 The origins of Cowork in Lisbon (2009–2010)2:34 Lessons in speed: "If you want to do something, do it fast"3:10 The role of part...
2026-01-0130 min
The Flex FactorTackling staff turnover & corporate demands with Maria Montis Kramer (Loom)How has the coworking industry changed since 2017? Maria Montis Kramer, COO of Loom (Merlin Properties), joins host Marc Navarro to discuss the evolution from a "cool" niche to a serious real estate player.They dive into the biggest operational challenges facing owners today: managing high staff turnover (especially in host roles) and meeting the sophisticated demands of new corporate clients. This is a must-listen for any coworking operator focused on scaling business and maintaining service quality.Guest: Maria Montis Kramer, Chief Operations Officer at LoomLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-montis-kramer-8195b41/
2025-11-1134 min
The Flex FactorStop being a supplier, start being a partner: Tamara Giménez on escaping the coworking commodity trapIn the increasingly crowded flexible workspace market, the biggest risk is becoming interchangeable—a commodity. So how do you build a business that can't be easily replaced? According to Tamara Giménez, founder of the 15,000m² Teamworks Coworking empire, the answer is simple but profound: stop being a supplier and start being a partner.In this powerful conversation with host Marc Navarro, Tamara breaks down the philosophy that has been the engine of her incredible growth. She reveals how this mindset led her to make a bold decision during the 2020 lockdown—sharing the financial burden with her member...
2025-10-1728 min
The Flex FactorBigger isn't better: What WeWork's chaos taught Mindspace's GM about real growthThink you have to be the cheapest option to offer flexibility? Think again.Mark Goldfinger, the guy running Mindspace in the US, sat down with us to explain why their "white glove" approach is worth every penny.He gets into the details of creating a vibe that keeps people working, hiring staff that actually care, and having the guts to tell a client that yes, month-to-month costs more. It's a refreshingly honest take on what it really takes to succeed in the flex space world today. If you're a coworking space owner, you'll want to...
2025-08-2637 min
The Flex FactorHow to partner with government and scale your coworking space impact with Jenny PoonWhat if you could scale the impact of your coworking community beyond your four walls… and get the government to fund it? In this episode, our host Marc Navarro is talking to Jenny Poon, the award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Phoenix's first coworking space, CO+HOOTS. When the pandemic hit, Jenny didn't just pivot; she built a whole new model.She shares the story behind HUUB, a platform that connects small businesses with government funding and expert help, completely changing the game for public-private partnerships.In this episode, you'll learn:The "hub...
2025-08-0752 min
The Flex FactorThe core of coworking: what truly drives community and profitReady to think differently about coworking? In this special episode, our host, Marc Navarro, connects with María Santos Peña from Magma Espacio to talk about how coworking spaces really hit their stride outside big cities. They're fresh off their "Sustainable coworking in small cities" session at CWSC 2025, and they're sharing practical ideas, surprising discoveries, and how to build strong communities in unexpected places. You'll also get a look behind the scenes at how CWSC puts together its fantastic content and smooth operations. If you run a coworking space and are looking for new id...
2025-06-0525 min
The Flex FactorThe core of coworking: what truly drives community and profitReady to think differently about coworking? In this special episode, our host, Marc Navarro, connects with María Santos Peña from Magma Espacio to talk about how coworking spaces really hit their stride outside big cities. They're fresh off their "Sustainable coworking in small cities" session at CWSC 2025, and they're sharing practical ideas, surprising discoveries, and how to build strong communities in unexpected places. You'll also get a look behind the scenes at how CWSC puts together its fantastic content and smooth operations. If you run a coworking space and are looking for new id...
2025-06-0425 min
The Flex FactorThe uncomfortable truth about coworking: a candid conversation with Uri IskinWhat's really going on in the coworking industry? Marc Navarro sits down with Uri Iskin of HIT to talk about the stuff that usually stays behind closed doors. They get real about the challenges of working with landlords, the complicated world of brokers, and what the future actually holds for flexible workspaces. A refreshingly honest conversation. Learn more about HIT coworking: https://hitcowork.co/ Discover more from host Marc Navarro: https://marcnavarro.com/ Explore the CWSC: https://coworkingspainconference.es/ Learn about Spacebring: https://www.spacebring.com/
2025-05-0139 min
The Flex FactorThe uncomfortable truth about coworking: a candid conversation with Uri SkinWhat's really going on in the coworking industry? Marc Navarro sits down with Uri Iskin of HIT to talk about the stuff that usually stays behind closed doors. They get real about the challenges of working with landlords, the complicated world of brokers, and what the future actually holds for flexible workspaces. A refreshingly honest conversation.Learn more about HIT coworking: https://hitcowork.co/Discover more from host Marc Navarro: https://marcnavarro.com/ Explore the CWSC: https://coworkingspainconference.es/ Learn about Spacebring: https://www.spacebring.com/
2025-05-0139 min
The Flex FactorHow CWSC turned a dream into an industryHear the untold story of CWSC. Founder Manuel Zea shares his challenges and triumphs, just in time for the Madrid conference.Learn more about CWSC: https://coworkingspainconference.es/ Discover Marc Navarro: https://marcnavarro.com/Discover Spacebring: https://www.spacebring.com/
2025-03-3125 min
"News, Views, Tips & Tricks"2024 Coworking Space TrendsSpacebring, formerly andcards, offers a coworking space platform. The provided text details 2024 trends in the coworking industry, including a shift towards community focus, niche spaces, hybrid work models, and sustainable practices. Expert opinions from various countries highlight these trends, emphasizing the importance of community building and adapting to the evolving needs of remote and hybrid workers. The platform itself provides software solutions for managing coworking spaces, including features for bookings, billing, and customer management.
2024-12-0431 min