Three reasons to join a coworking space (besides the space)

A few weeks ago I was heading from home to a Capital Entrepreneurs meetup on a hot summer day. I had my bag and bike and for a moment, I wished I had an office downtown where I could stash my things and tidy up before heading into the event. Then I remembered that I did — 100state.

I don’t work from 100state’s coworking space every day, or even most days, as I prefer the quiet of my home office. And yet, I value my 100state membership because its benefits extend far beyond the actual space.

The big three for me are:

1. Community. I’m a writer and most of the time I work independently on client projects. 100state provides me a community, both at the physical space and online, where I can be part of a larger conversation around entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. There are also lunches, volunteer opportunities, and blankets on the lawn with an open invite at Concerts on the Square. After leaving traditional employment, being a member of 100state has been invaluable for staying connected to something bigger than myself and living a vibrant life.
2. Connections. Being a part of that community means that it’s easy to find people to collaborate with and learn from. Recently, I wanted to connect with food bloggers. 100state’s former community manager Megan Orear instantly put me into conversation with three of Madison’s finest. Through 100state I’ve also connected with designers, developers, photographers, and PR and SEO experts. Tapping into a network of similar and complementary skill sets is incredibly powerful for building a business — especially when the people with those skill sets are entrepreneurially motivated.
3. Inspiration. This is the biggest reason I joined 100state. Every time I looked around, people at 100state were making things happen, from humorous books on healthcare IT to fashion shows and art exhibits. As a creative professional, I value being surrounded by people who have a can-do attitude and take ideas from whims to wins.

There’s a lot going on at 100state this summer from Grow Madison‘s tech workshops to interactive discussions on talking with investors. Show up and get inspired!