Coworking in Seattle began in 2007 with the opening of Office Nomads, a space that emphasizes community and collaboration among independent workers, mobile workers, and small businesses. As of now, Seattle boasts various coworking spaces that support over 450 individual users. The document highlights the benefits of coworking, such as improved work-life balance and opportunities for networking and community engagement.

1. Coworking Seattle

2. Glossary of TermsPhotos from Centre for Social Innovation.Office Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

3. Some History2005: Coworking emerged as a new business model, kick-started by Brad Neuberg in San Francisco, CA.2007: Office Nomads opened it’s doors in Seattle.2009: CoworkingSeattle begins: A hub for collaboration and exploration of coworking facilities and opportunities in and around Seattle Office Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

4. Some DataWorldwide, there are over 200 coworking spaces.Over 3 years, Office Nomads has seen over 450 individual users at our Capitol Hill coworking space and currently has 64 members.Approximately 30% of today’s workforce is independent, according to the Freelancers Union. Even more beyond that telework at least one day/week. Office Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

5. Currently in SeattleOffice Nomads (Capitol Hill)Jigsaw Renaissance (Capitol Hill)Metrix Create Space (Capitol Hill)Maple Leaf Branch (Maple Hill)Eastlake Mail/Vybe Hub (Eastlake)StartPad (Pioneer Square) Indie Ballard (Ballard)Office Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

6. Who is coworking?Office Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

7. Independent WorkersOffice Nomads: Individuality Without IsolationGeorge is an ornithologist who works out of a small shack on an island in Alaska for several months out of the year. When he’s not in the field, he works at Office Nomads to be around others and be productive.

8. Mobile WorkersOffice Nomads: Individuality Without IsolationRobyn moved back to Seattle with her husband when he started his medical residency. She was able to keep her urban planning job through the move, which is based out of a firm in New Jersey. Working from home didn’t work for her, so she moved to Office Nomads and has been coworking for over 2 years now.

9. Small businessesOffice Nomads: Individuality Without IsolationJoe began his resume consulting business on his own.He needed a professional location to meet with clients, and sought out a coworking space. After his business grew, he was able to hire an employee without having to increase his overhead significantly.

10. Why Coworking?Office Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

11. It’s about the peopleOffice Nomads: Individuality Without IsolationCoworking spaces are community-based workspaces focused on the members. We are not “desk rental” businesses.We believe that people support what they help to create. We believe in creating a platform on which relationships can be built and sustained.

12. It’s SimpleCoworking is a simple business model. The basics need to be reliable and consistent.People don’t need a ton of bells and whistles, they need to be around other great people.Indy Hall, Philadelphia.Photo by lavardera on Flickr.Office Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

13. Because it works!Ryan started out of a coffee shop on Capitol HillMoved to a coworking spaceHe can expand and contract in employee size easily.He can meet contractors and land contracts all in one place.Ryan Salva of Capitol Media – www.capitolmedia.comOffice Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

14. The BIGGER PictureOffice Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

15. Quality of LifeOffice Nomads: Individuality Without IsolationA work-life balance is easier to achieve when you separate your work from your home.Quality of life improves for members as they become more engaged citizens in their neighborhoods and cities.Yoga at Office Nomads

16. Community PartnershipsOffice Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

17. TransportationOffice Nomads: Individuality Without IsolationOver 65% of Office Nomads members live less than 3 miles from the office.Many walk, bike, or take the bus.Coworking spaces are one of many tools to use in an overall sustainable city planning strategy.

18. Innovation & Economic DevelopmentJob opportunities increase Business partnerships developConstant networking opportunitiesMore dollars spent in the neighborhoodOffice Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

19. What’s Next?How can we infuse the idea of coworking into government or business planning and policy?How can we creatively finance more coworking spaces so more spaces can open and start creating positive social change now?How can we encourage more people and organizations to get involved?Office Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation

20. Resources International Coworking Website http://www.coworking.comCoworkingSeattlehttp://www.coworkingseattle.orgCentre for Social Innovationhttp://socialinnovation.ca/sssi/Office Nomadshttp://www.officenomads.comOffice Nomads: Individuality Without Isolation