LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Almost every morning, Maureen Koopman makes coffee not only for herself, but for others who start their work day at the CoLab Lakewood.
“We decided to function similar to a restaurant so if people were up and walking around, we ask that they put a mask on. If they were at their desk or eating, they could take their mask off,” Koopman said.
Koopman says co-working spaces are proving to be ideal for a post-pandemic world as many businesses and corporations are still allowing employees to work from home. Some professionals enjoy the flexibility and prefer having options like coming to a comfortable, peaceful work environment.
“People enjoy going to a coffee shop for that community. They maybe enjoyed going to the library for the quietness to get work done, and what we created was this hybrid of both,” she said.
Koopman considers herself a serial entrepreneur.
“I had wonderful bosses but my heart was saying, ‘I just want to do my own thing’. I’m all these ideas and I think I can run with them,” Koopman said.
She says most entrepreneurs have been excited about the opportunity to socialize, connect and collaborate in working spaces.
The pandemic has allowed other professionals to realize that as long as they have traditional office amenities, they can enjoy working in a new setting.
“We want to really make it more about the experience,” Koopman said. “We’re trying to create that combo of getting work done and having this wonderful experience of a productive day.”
