I was on my way to my usual coffee shop to work and drop the daily $15 (two cups of Latte and a chocolate chip cookie), when I caught a glimpse of this new addition to my neighborhood. Being the perpetually curious (aka nosy) person I was, I googled it, and realized it was a new co-working space. They were running a promotion - a free day to check out and work at their office space! The phrase "free" was music to this Asian's ears. I got my bum up the stairs so fast, I was out of breath. But I digress.
The receptionist, unfazed by my disheveled appearance and barely concealed greed (my first question to her - "Can I really work here for free?"), welcomed me and gave me a tour of the office.
Three things I noticed right away:
1. Free, unlimited coffee (Freeeeeeeeeee)
2. A Zen Room (a multipurpose room away from the hustle and bustle of the office that can be used for private phone calls, meditation, and mini power naps)
3. Clean, modern designs that appease the minimalist in me
As I settled down at a desk to start my work, I thought to myself how nice it would be to have a space of my own, and not haul my 20 pound bag and laptop from my apartment to a coffee shop everyday. I hadn't considered it before, as office spaces in the city were typically out of my price range, but I noticed that it was only $350 to rent a desk ($12 a day), or if I really wanted to be cheap - $185 for 24/7 access to the space, but no designated desk ($7 a day). Both options were cheaper than what I paid to work at a coffee shop where I also faced the following limitations:
1. Only drink two cups of coffee to save money
2. Take my phone calls outside to ensure privacy (not fun when it was raining or snowing)
3. Grapple with the fear of getting my laptop stolen each time I had to take a bathroom break
4. Deadly glares from baristas who resented me for hogging a table for up to 8 hours a day
But what really sealed the deal was this: customer service. Not only did the receptionist treat me with kindness, one of the managing partners dropped by the office, and she worked patiently with me to assess which plan best suited my needs. At no point did she aggressively sell their services. In fact, she even asked me to think about it for a couple days, and that she would be glad to answer questions should they come up.
I just sent her an email to put all the wheels in motion, and am so excited to call this space my office!
TL;DR:
Awesome co-working space in the heart of Philly - free coffee all day, reliable internet, and intriguing conversations. read more