CONFIDENTLY
CREATE A PROFITABLE COWORKING SPACE
that you love to run
Avoid expensive mistakes, tech overwhelm, and "I don't know what I don't know" syndrome.
ENROLL NOW
If you’re a successful professional ready to start your own business in an industry that is growing like crazy and happens to be both profitable AND purpose-driven, then you're ready to create your own coworking space.
HERE'S WHAT YOU
MIGHT NOT KNOW
You're already excited about creating your own coworking business - to serve your own lifestyle/financial goals as well as to create a compelling place to work for your community. Starting your business now can mean:
-
Creating a business that can scale
A coworking business can be designed as one location to support lifestyle goals, or scaled to multiple locations if your goal is to build a brand and a regional presence.
-
Getting in early on an industry with explosive growth
You are not late to the game. We're only in the 2nd inning! Shared workspace is 1-2% of any commercial real estate market. Experts predict it might be 30% in the next 10 years. This is the exact right time to get started.
-
Creating a work environment that changes lives
Your primary goal might be financial, but this is a special business - you literally change lives by giving freelancers, small businesses and even remote, corporate employees a place to connect and do their best work.
-
A leadership role for you in your community
The nature of this business is connecting people. As the owner of a coworking space that houses successful local businesses and startups, you become a hub of community activity and progress. Create more impact and enjoy growing your own professional network.
-
Gives you an outlet for related passions and skills
Love design? Or digital marketing? Investing in real estate? Mentoring startups? You can shape your role in your coworking business to focus on what you love to do.
Even though the reasons to start your own coworking space are obvious, the path to doing it successfully is anything BUT.
I'm Ready to Start!
But how do I know if I'll get this right?
Perhaps you've trumped your fears of giving this a shot and have committed to just do it.
You're probably not starting from scratch - you may have a name, a URL reserved, you've researched other coworking spaces and thought through what you would do differently. You have a pretty clear vision in your head of what you want to create.
But in this process of getting started, you've gotten a glimpse of all of the decisions that need to be made - all of the variations in this business - and you're struggling to determine what's really working and how to future-proof your business plan.
ENROLL NOW
Here's where would-be successful operators get sidelined:
Without a super clear, step-by-step project plan, it's easy to get lost or to piece together advice that doesn't create the business that fits your personal goals.
Here's why this can be crippling.
Starting a coworking space is a big investment and it's a long-term commitment. You're signing a 5-10 year lease or buying a building.
It's not the end of the world to change your mind about your tech stack after you open, but there are things like product mix and space design that are really hard to fix after the fact.
And those mistakes can have a lasting impact on your bottom line.
You need to get this right out of the gate...like knowing who you are serving and what you are selling them. While possible, it's disruptive, expensive and time-consuming to fix your product mix after your build-out.
There are a lot of operators out there making mistakes. Which is good news for you! There is a big opportunity to get your model right and be the choice workspace for the customer that you are dedicated to serving.
The 5 Reasons Why Most Coworking Spaces Fail
Reason #1
Not doing the work to really nail who you are serving
You are not serving everyone in your neighborhood with a laptop. Even if you are in a smaller market, you will not win by trying to attract everyone in town that has a choice about where they work....
Who is your ideal member and how will you design your business around how to best serve them? The answer to this question is the foundation of a coworking space that sells memberships at a pace that drives profitability and creates a strong membership and community.
I get it. It's not the sexy part of planning out your new coworking space. You'd rather jump into designing the podcast studio. But I assure you, this is the critical foundation that drives good business decisions.
This step isn't hard to do with the right framework - and most of your competition will skip right over this and take the "aim, ready, fire" approach giving you the opportunity to stand out.
Reason #2
Your Product Mix Doesn't Align with Market Demand
One of the biggest challenges for soon-to-be coworking space operators is picking a product mix. This will drive the space layout, the buildout costs and ultimately, your ability to SELL....
Start with your ideal member clear in your mind, and use our space-planning framework to help you match your offerings to your members' needs.
We'll also tell you what's working for other successful operators.
Reason #3
Not Combining the Right Ingredients to Create a Healthy Financial Model
Creating a profitable coworking space requires a careful balance of inputs to create a recipe for a successful financial model....
You need the right product mix, pricing, rent rate, lease term, buildout budget, startup costs and marketing know-how to make this work.
No one component is rocket science, but you want to know how to put it all together and what questions to ask to stress-test the model to set your business up to shorten your road to profitability.
Reason #4
Not Having and Following a Marketing Plan that Works for Coworking
This is not an "if you build it, they will come" business. To attract and close members, you must execute a few core marketing strategies to create a healthy sales funnel....
You can learn the key levers to pull to market a coworking space. Stay focused, consistent, test and iterate and you'll find a repeatable marketing mix that works for your business.
Reason #5
Tech Overwhelm
OK, you won't fail because of this one but you might spend a LOT more time than you should researching and over-analyzing these decisions. There is a lot of tech and process involved in setting up a coworking space in a way that provides a good experience for you, your team and your members....
Here's a little inside scoop...
Even though coworking is a quickly growing industry that will soon be absolutely core commercial real estate, not everyone will ride this wave and succeed.
Some operators will enjoy this rising tide but others will sink.
And the main reason for this, is that the barriers to starting a space are relatively low, but the requirement to get the model right and execute well in order to be sustainable is really high.
So as long as you can avoid the biggest mistakes that sideline many space operators, you can design a profitable coworking space that you love to run (or pay someone else to run!).
That's what I'd love to show you how to create.
Introducing The

The Coworking Space Business Validation System and Implementation Guide to help you create a profitable coworking space that you love to run!
Enroll Now"Discovering the Everything Coworking podcast was a revelation; a fantastic introduction into the mysterious and largely undocumented new world of coworking that we'd decided to enter. We quickly followed up with the Coworking Startup School, which took things deeper and allowed us to ask specific questions related to our model. Equally importantly that investment includes a lot of follow-up options for before and after opening the space."
RICHARD FROM AUSTRALIA
"Jamie has an amazing breadth of knowledge. She is an incredible resource for both information and connections with other folks in the coworking space. She’s also super articulate and makes information digestible into bite-sized chunks ;-)."
ELLEN FROM OAKLAND
Hi,
I'm Jamie Russo
Founded two coworking spaces - one in Chicago, one in Palo Alto, California. I was the President of the League of Extraordinary Coworking Spaces, I am the Executive Director of the Global Workspace Association and I host the Everything Coworking Podcast.
Through this unique combination of roles, I have a deep, first-hand experience in coworking as well as unparalleled access to industry knowledge, best practices, experience and leadership.
Through my Coworking Startup School and Coworking Flight Group program, I have helped dozens of people just like you realize their dream of launching a successful coworking space.
I created the Coworking Startup School because my super power is breaking the complex into manageable chunks, I have a strong operations orientation and I am also a spreadsheet boss (I have a MBA from the University of Chicago). Our industry is exploding and if you want to be a part of it, I want you to have the tools and support you need to be successful.

The Coworking Startup School is
The ONLY program of its kind that…
- Will make sure you are so clear on your ideal customer avatar that your space will magnetize members.
- Design a product mix that aligns with market demand and your startup budget.
- Combine the right ingredients to create a healthy financial model.
- Get you set up with the marketing fundamentals that you need to create a productive sales funnel.
- Help you stay out of tech overwhelm and choose just what you need to optimize your operations and member experience.
Here's How We'll Help You Get Here:
Module 1
Create your Ideal Customer Avatar
The success of your business depends on designing a solution to meet a customer need. In order to do that, you must know your customer intimately and document their needs and base every business decision on those needs.
Here, we will create an ideal customer profile that will help you to select your location, your product mix, design, branding and more.
This module will set you up to successfully attract members and sell memberships.
Module Highlights:
- Use the Ideal Customer Avatar worksheet to flush out your ideal member.
- Create an Ideal Customer Avatar (ICA) profile to share with your team of qualified professionals.
- Learn how the ICA impacts all other business decisions and commit to your ICA as a critical reference point for all upcoming decisions.
Module 2
Build your Team of Qualified Professionals
Stack your chances of successfully serving your ideal customer by assembling a team of experts to help you to realize your vision and avoid costly mistakes.
Module Highlights:
- Set your budget (with my guidance) for your support team - attorneys, designers, architects, general contractors, real estate brokers, contract furniture agent, website design/build.
- Learn the contribution of each role and how to leverage them to create a space that will proudly serve your members for years.
- Use my Coworking Team member checklists and resource guide to quickly identify candidates and evaluate their fit for your project.
- Customize a kick-off meeting outline for each team member to clearly set expectations and waste no time getting to exactly what you need them to do to support your success.
Module 3
Validate Your Location
This is a real estate business and baby, it's all about location, location, location.
Module Highlights:
- Using your ICA from Module 1, and data from your qualified real estate broker, determine geographic options for your space to lay the critical foundation for your business.
- Create a competitive landscape matrix using my template to fine-tune and confirm your brand positioning and location options.
- Confirm the long-term fit of your potential locations reducing financial risk that could jeopardize your profitability over time. Get a list of the questions to ask to mitigate risks that most people never consider before signing a lease.
Module 4
Determine Your Product Mix
Your product mix will serve your ideal customer. Your ideal customer will buy memberships and create revenue (and the better you serve him, the faster you'll create revenue!).
Module Highlights:
- Set your monthly profit goals for your coworking business.
- Draft your dream Coworking Space product mix to align with your profit goals using our Space Builder Worksheet.
- Validate your product mix assumptions with your ICA using our Interview Guide.
- Expand your competitive analysis by conducting a local space tour and asking questions that prompt them to reveal product mix insights that can help you leverage their success and avoid their mistakes.
Module 5
Choose your Space Size
Your space size will drive your revenue potential and your revenue potential must align with your financial goals for your coworking business.
Module Highlights:
- Learn the factors that will determine the ideal size for your first space.
- Use our Choose my Coworking Space Size Worksheet to select your target size for your first space.
- Use our Financing Guide for First Time Operators to determine your best financing options.
- Get a preview of financing options including management agreements, for future locations if you are planning to scale your business.
Module 6
Draft Your Pro-Forma
This will be an iterative phase that will solidify your target space size and drive your decisions on location, buildout budget and lease term.
Module Highlights:
- Draft your pro-forma to synthesize your profit goals and startup budget. Here you will get a realistic picture of the potential of your coworking business.
- Work through our "What If" worksheet to problem-solve the inputs that you need to get more aligned to create your ideal model.
- Document and share your model assumptions with your team members to create alignment and avoid surprises throughout the process.
- Get really intimate with the coworking space business model, understand the most critical sensitivities, where the biggest successes and the biggest mistakes are made.
Module 7
Find the Space That Serves your ICA and Financial Goals
This is the time to stay true to the work that you've done to date and avoid getting impatient or emotional when choosing the location for your business for the next ten years. We're here to help you stay strong and focused.
Module Highlights:
- Use our Space Search Checklist to evaluate and take notes on the spaces you see with your qualified broker.
- Update your Draft Pro-Forma to test the impact of rent rates and space size as you see qualified candidates for your space.
- Create an irresistible layout and design aesthetic that will magnetize your ICA.
- Get a test fit developed on your most qualified locations that incorporates design and layout best practices.
- Get buildout costs on your most qualified space options to do the due diligence that will give you the confidence you need to sign a long-term lease.
- Revisit and update your Draft Pro-Forma to ensure that your model and financial goals are still aligned.
Module 8
Furnish the Workspace that will Capture your ICA at "Hello."
So many components go into the success of a coworking space. The location, the community you attract, the product mix you offer, and of course, the design and furniture. We are all visual creatures and like to judge a book by its cover!
Module Highlights:
- Select the furnishings that will wow your ICA in both function and aesthetics.
- Design the IT experience that will make your ICA wonder why the were working from home or Starbucks all this time.
- Overlay finish selections and brand colors that make the space uniquely yours.
- Update your Draft Pro-Forma with inputs from this module to ensure you stay on track with your financial goals!
Module 9
Develop the Marketing Foundation that will Funnel your ICA to your Front Door!
You built it! Now let's get them to join!
Module Highlights:
- Set pricing that aligns with your market positioning using our Product Pricing Worksheet.
- Develop a simple, yet high-performing sales-funnel to deliver your ICA to your door.
- Prep your mindset and get your tools ready to pre-sell your space.
- Setup and launch your marketing tech painlessly and fearlessly using our step-by-step guides.
Module 10
Optimize your Tech Stack for Staff and Member Happiness
Now that your space is coming together and you are preparing for launch, it's time to develop the tech stack that will create a streamlined workflow for your staff and your members.
Here, we'll guide you through selecting technology that supports each of your workflows from marketing to on-boarding to paying the bills.
Module Highlights:
- Determine your operational workflows.
- Get recommendations for your networking infrastructure including door access and security.
- Select your space management software.
- Choose a CRM that fits your business needs.
- Select your marketing tech stack that will drive your website, social media and member engagement.
Module 11
Hire the Team that will Deliver the Member Experience that you've Designed
Now that you're getting closer to opening your doors, it's time to get your on-site team in place.
Whether you're going to hire a team to support the space or you will be "the team," planning ahead to determine roles and responsibilities, training processes, staffing ratios and salaries and bonus structures will set you up for success.
Module Highlights:
- Design the roles that will support your ideal member and the "back-end" of your business.
- Create job descriptions leveraging our library of samples from top industry operators and industry salary data.
- Systematize your training approach to minimize the trauma of staff turnover.
- Setup your on-going leadership systems to create a healthy team environment that drives the results your business requires.
- Ensure that your payroll system and employee classification are set up to avoid confrontation with the government.
Module 12
Celebrate and Prep for Opening!
Now it's time to finalize all of the details and prep for our launch party!
Module Highlights:
- Let's get our plans in place for list-building, local networking and launch parties.
- Let's prep a launch month calendar in advance to keep you from getting too stuck in the details to focus on getting potential members in the door!

The Coworking Startup School Value Guarantee
The Coworking Startup School is the most comprehensive, step-by-step implementation program for anyone ready to start a coworking space.
Our community is highly-curated and filled with accomplished, motivated professionals that are building coworking businesses just like you and they're ready and willing to share. We can't wait to welcome you into the group.
Upon purchase, you will have receive the Coworking Space Startup Plan, and twelve modules to guide you step-by-step through identifying your target member, building your team of qualified professionals and validating your location.
If within 30 days of purchase, you don't feel confident in your plan, simply reach out, show us that you've done the work in the first three modules and we'll refund your investment. Just email [email protected] with the details.
Here’s what you’re getting
when you enroll today:
Unlimited Access to the Coworking Startup School Course PLUS:
- Coworking Space Project Plan - Get a printable map of the entire process of starting a coworking space
- Access to the Private CSS Slack Group + 6 Live Q&A sessions - You don't have to do this alone! Join a community of other professionals on the same journey! Leverage the group for Q&A and sharing wins.
- Member & Event Agreement Templates: Spend the money you save on attorney fees on an extra phone booth!
ONLINE COURSE - Self-StudyAccess To Online Course
$1097
Access to online/self-study version of the Coworking Startup School.
ONLINE COURSE + GROUP COACHINGONLINE COURSE + LIVE GROUP Q&A
$1297
-
Live group Q&A calls (6)
-
Access to course Slack group for community + support
-
Tour Training mini course
ONLINE COURSE ACCESS + COACHING PROGRAMCOURSE + 1:1 COACHING
$424/month
- $1297 upfront for full access to the Coworking Startup School
- A minimum of 4 months of coaching
- A kick-off call to customize your Coworking Success Road Map™
-
A pro forma development call to align your profit goals with your space size and product mix.
-
Deep-dive advisory calls 2x/month.
-
Monthly assignments to keep you on track and focused on critical timelines.
-
Access to my personal network of vetted professionals to support your launch process.
-
A KPI dashboard to give you better visibility into your numbers.
-
Access to Coworking Startup School group Q&A calls 2x a month to give you access to other pre-launch operators and how they’re approaching their projects.
-
You can contact our team any day or time with questions. We reply within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What people asked before signing up for the Coworking Startup School
I'm a building owner - I already have a location picked out! Does this course make sense for me?
I want to start a coworking space but I'm still securing funding. I'm not sure it's the right time for this course.
Is the Coworking market already saturated? I really love this business but I worry I've missed my chance.
Should I just piece together advice from Facebook Groups and Podcasts?
What if I want to talk to connect and ask questions throughout the process?
What if I realize this just isn't a fit for me?
Here’s what you’re getting
when you enroll today:
Unlimited Access to the Coworking Startup School Course PLUS:
- Coworking Space Project Plan - Get a printable map of the entire process of starting a coworking space
- Access to the Private CSS Slack Group + 6 Live Q&A sessions - You don't have to do this alone! Join a community of other professionals on the same journey! Leverage the group for Q&A and sharing wins.
- Member & Event Agreement Templates: Spend the money you save on attorney fees on an extra phone booth!
ONLINE COURSE - Self-StudyAccess To Online Course
$1097
Access to online/self-study version of the Coworking Startup School.
ONLINE COURSE + GROUP COACHINGONLINE COURSE + LIVE GROUP Q&A
$1297
-
Live group Q&A calls (6)
-
Access to course Slack group for community + support
-
Tour Training mini course
ONLINE COURSE ACCESS + COACHING PROGRAMCOURSE + 1:1 COACHING
$425/month
- $1297 upfront for full access to the Coworking Startup School
- Minimum 4 months
- A kick-off call to customize your Coworking Success Road Map™
-
A pro forma development call to align your profit goals with your space size and product mix.
-
Deep-dive advisory calls 2x/month.
-
Monthly assignments to keep you on track and focused on critical timelines.
-
Access to our network of vetted professionals to support your launch process.
-
A KPI dashboard to give you better visibility into your numbers.
-
Access to Coworking Startup School group Q&A calls 2x a month to give you access to other pre-launch operators and how they’re approaching their projects.
-
You can contact our team on non-holiday days with questions. We reply within 24 hours.
The Coworking Startup School is PERFECT for you if…
- You're just getting started and want to do this right.
- You've started the process on your own and realized it's tough to DIY starting your own business in an increasingly competitive market.
- When you undertake a major project, you like to bring your own flair to the table but you also really appreciate following a proven process or framework to help you reduce expense, time and mistakes.
- You've already done your homework on the industry and have started working on aspects of the space - i.e., who you want to serve, your brand, the type of workspace you want to offer, etc.
- You KNOW you're going to love this business but you're afraid of not staying focused on the process, making emotional decisions and ending up with a model that isn't profitable.
- You know a lot, but you don't know what you don't know and want to make sure you're hedging your risks.
- You've read through the module list and you're FIRED UP!
If you said “yes” to several of the statements above, I can’t wait to meet you inside the Coworking Startup School!
Here’s what you’re getting
when you enroll today:
Unlimited Access to the Coworking Startup School Course PLUS:
- Coworking Space Project Plan - Get a printable map of the entire process of starting a coworking space
- Access to the Private CSS Slack Group + 6 Live Q&A sessions - You don't have to do this alone! Join a community of other professionals on the same journey! Leverage the group for Q&A and sharing wins.
- Member & Event Agreement Templates: Spend the money you save on attorney fees on an extra phone booth!
ONLINE COURSE - Self-StudyAccess To Online Course
$1097
Access to online/self-study version of the Coworking Startup School.
ONLINE COURSE + GROUP COACHINGONLINE COURSE + LIVE GROUP Q&A
$1297
-
Live group Q&A calls (6)
-
Access to course Slack group for community + support
-
Tour Training mini course
ONLINE COURSE ACCESS + COACHING PROGRAMCOURSE + 1:1 COACHING
$425/MONTH
- $1297 upfront for full access to the Coworking Startup School
- Minimum 4 months
- A kick-off call to customize your Coworking Success Road Map™
-
A pro forma development call to align your profit goals with your space size and product mix.
-
Deep-dive advisory calls 2x/month.
-
Monthly assignments to keep you on track and focused on critical timelines.
-
Access to our personal network of vetted professionals to support your launch process.
-
A KPI dashboard to give you better visibility into your numbers.
-
Access to Coworking Startup School group Q&A calls 2x a month to give you access to other pre-launch operators and how they’re approaching their projects.
-
You can contact our team on working days with questions. We reply within 24 hours.