Co-working and collaboration: a new way to work in Nashville

Have you noticed the growing number of co-working and nontraditional office spaces in Nashville? All across our city, businesses dedicated to providing space for people to work, meet or create are flourishing. Why are these spaces popping up across the region? And how does the co-working, collaborative and mobile office trend reflect changing attitudes towards work?

Co-working isn’t a new idea, but it’s certainly gained popularity over the last several years, particularly in response to the so-called “gig economy” of independent contractors and contingent workers that now make up an estimated 34% of the American workforce.

As millennials work on side hustles, start their own businesses or pick up freelance work, they’re flocking to co-working spaces that often are home to members from a wide variety of fields and industries, all working together under one roof. This model is growing in popularity for good reason: workers in co-working spaces report a higher level of satisfaction than their counterparts in traditional offices

One of the reasons for this is the sense of community and belonging. Co-working spaces are increasingly working to create a unique vibe in each of their locations that reflects the values of their members. Rather than feeling alone, members are part of a community and surrounded by likeminded people.

Many co-working spaces in Nashville are Chamber members, including:

Businesses are finding innovative ways to capture this feeling for traditional workplaces. One way is through dedicated meeting spaces that focus on collaboration between employees and creative thinking.

You can find examples of these collaborative meeting spaces among Chamber members like:

Another changing work trend that is fueling innovation is the shift away from the traditional 9-5 workday. Companies are working to meet the needs of businesses that don’t want or need a traditional office space. Virtual offices that provide the benefits of a full staff without needing to hire full-time employees, as well as furnished meeting areas, are also on the rise. Mobile working spaces are also finding new demand.

Some examples in our membership are:

As Nashville’s entrepreneur scene expands and grows, co-working and non-traditional office spaces will rise to meet their needs. In a new, more flexible economy, collaboration is key. What can your business learn from these successful co-working spaces?

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