trial and error. learning from a coworking space failure

TRIAL AND ERRORtips from 3 years of coworking... went bad

lunedì 11 novembre 2013

22A|22was a coworking and

design gallery that has been active in Florence

from 2009 to 2012lunedì 11 novembre 2013

we hosted workshops...


exhibitions...


temporary stores...


parties...


photoshootings...


concerts...


cinema shows...


but mainly it wasan alive coworking.


despite all this,we had to shut.

What happened, then?


Well,we’ve done mistakes:

Here’s what i’ve learnt from errors committed before

starting...lunedì 11 novembre 2013

At first,i just neededa studio

Start with a clear projectdon’ just stumble upon it


But couldn’tafford it, justthen seekedfor partners

Team is crucial. Choose wisely a motivated, diversebut tight group to start with


We begundreaming big,too big

Dream big, start small.Or at least lean. Or go big

only if you are almost sure you can afford to do that.


...while planning


We fell in lovewith a placebut it wasa mess

Plan accuratelyyour initial expenses.

Handle restorations with care, it’s hard to foresee

how much it will really costlunedì 11 novembre 2013

And it wastoo expensiveto mantain

Don’t spend all the money with initial expenses. It will

take time to reach your project’s full potential


Enthusiasmweighted farmore than itscost

Enthusiasm, passion, boldness are great things.But give them robust roots

to grow efficientlylunedì 11 novembre 2013

...while managing


The projectwas split in 2uncoherentparts

Give an understandable strong, solid, firm identity

to your project, and let coworking power it


We’ve chosento become tooself-referentialand closed

Your placewon’t remain the coolest place in town for a long

time. If you’ll play on exclusiveness, you’ll lose.


Definitely toomany cluelesshipster parties

People joining a partywant to drink and have fun, not necessarily to use your desks. Beware the hipsters


...while taking careof the community.


We left people alone to solve their problems

People have to feel comfortable and cared.

You can’t ask coworkers to bear problems and

inefficiencies.lunedì 11 novembre 2013

The space changed from shared to partitioned

Struggle for keepingyour community open and

dynamic. 2-3 empty desks are better than a blocked,

closed communitylunedì 11 novembre 2013

We didn’tinvolve peoplein the activities

Help coworkersto feel part of your project.

Let them help, propose, participate, share, live it.

Your project is their project.lunedì 11 novembre 2013

Nonetheless, there’sa lot i’ve learnt

and a lot i’ve got:


friends,mates,

experience,


and a new project( with many new mistakes to do! )


thanks!

Mattia Sullinicowo Firenze 22A|22cowo Firenze COMBO


trial and error. learning from a coworking space failure

Business

closed community luned

new project

clear project don

lot ive

years of coworking

coworking power

alive coworking

coolest place