The Los Angeles coworking space LAX Coworking is unusual compared to others we’ve profiled in a couple ways.
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First, it is operated by a nonprofit organization, the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, which serves Westchester, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, Playa del Rey, Del Rey and surrounding beach cities. Users become honorary members of the CoC and get some of the benefits of membership there.
Second, LAX Coworking positions itself as a more traditional business environment. You get the flexibility of coworking without the beer kegs. They provide meeting space and flexible offices to freelancers, remote workers and solopreneurs.
Overall, this Los Angeles coworking space is an interesting example of the growing gig economy and new ways of working are being recognized by traditional institutions like a CoC. It’s interesting to see how they are innovating to include freelancers and consultants.
Kirby Israelson, Creative Director and Coworking Manager at LAX Coworking, answers a few questions.
LAX Coworking is your unpretentious coworking space, built with the modern owner in mind. We like to say we are “coworking with a heart,” as we are a program of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, a community building and business expanding nonprofit that has been a member of this community since 1953.
We first opened our doors to the satellite worker in 2014, inviting our chamber members and community residents into our office to get some work done and network with their local chamber.
But as the demand grew we realized we needed to expand and elevate our boutique office to better provide for our members and coworkers. We remodeled, relaunched and never looked back, always striving to elevate our members through resources and collaboration — and of course, workspace, wifi and free coffee!
HOW DO FREELANCERS USE LAX COWORKING?
We’re smaller than most coworking spaces, covering roughly 2,000 square feet and maxing out at only 20 coworkers. As such, we make sure our community is full of great people with similar goals of growth and engagement.
The majority are remote workers and small business owners, many of whom use our space as a typical office with standard hours.
Some of our coworkers are a little more fluid with their time, coming in a few times a week, mixing it up between working mornings, afternoons and evenings, and all of them use our private office space when it’s time to meet with a client or employer.
WHAT SUPPORT DO THEY NEED FROM YOUR COMMUNITY TO SUCCEED?
The coworkers we attract are normally transplants from other coworking spaces who were not able to work in the typical, high energy coworking atmosphere. They were looking for a quiet, simple office with a seat to work — not the happy hour, ping pong table, loud, and overly crowded office that attracts the typical coworker.
Our coworkers are looking for down-to-earth people in a low maintenance atmosphere — at a low price, of course.
We are also a local favorite for the worker who has spent a little too much time working from home and realizing that they missed the collaborative and friendly atmosphere of an office (or just needed an afternoon away from the kids!)
For both of these types of coworkers, the basics of a workspace is all they need — a place to sit, fast wifi, and free coffee. But an added bonus they all said they never realized they needed until they had it is that they also received the support of a community that believed in them.
As a Chamber of Commerce, our only goal is to elevate the local business climate, so we use our resources, influence and positive attitude to make sure that our coworkers succeed. Our coworkers then take advantage of all of the networking mixers, educational workshops and committee meetings that are offered to them as honorary Chamber members, one of the perks of being a member of LAX Coworking.
WHAT’S THE SOLOPRENEUR COMMUNITY LIKE IN COASTAL LOS ANGELES?
Growing, but facing difficulties. While we have multiple coworkers who are starting their own business in our space… Read more on the Nation 1099 blog!
How LAX Coworking Connects Freelancers with a Chamber of Commerce
The Los Angeles coworking space LAX Coworking is unusual compared to others we’ve profiled in a couple ways.
First, it is operated by a nonprofit organization, the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, which serves Westchester, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, Playa del Rey, Del Rey and surrounding beach cities. Users become honorary members of the CoC and get some of the benefits of membership there.
Second, LAX Coworking positions itself as a more traditional business environment. You get the flexibility of coworking without the beer kegs. They provide meeting space and flexible offices to freelancers, remote workers and solopreneurs.
Overall, this Los Angeles coworking space is an interesting example of the growing gig economy and new ways of working are being recognized by traditional institutions like a CoC. It’s interesting to see how they are innovating to include freelancers and consultants.
Kirby Israelson, Creative Director and Coworking Manager at LAX Coworking, answers a few questions.
Related reading: Find and Choose the Best Coworking Spaces For Your Freelance Work
TELL US ABOUT YOUR SERVICES AND YOUR COMMUNITY.
LAX Coworking is your unpretentious coworking space, built with the modern owner in mind. We like to say we are “coworking with a heart,” as we are a program of the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, a community building and business expanding nonprofit that has been a member of this community since 1953.
We first opened our doors to the satellite worker in 2014, inviting our chamber members and community residents into our office to get some work done and network with their local chamber.
But as the demand grew we realized we needed to expand and elevate our boutique office to better provide for our members and coworkers. We remodeled, relaunched and never looked back, always striving to elevate our members through resources and collaboration — and of course, workspace, wifi and free coffee!
HOW DO FREELANCERS USE LAX COWORKING?
We’re smaller than most coworking spaces, covering roughly 2,000 square feet and maxing out at only 20 coworkers. As such, we make sure our community is full of great people with similar goals of growth and engagement.
The majority are remote workers and small business owners, many of whom use our space as a typical office with standard hours.
Some of our coworkers are a little more fluid with their time, coming in a few times a week, mixing it up between working mornings, afternoons and evenings, and all of them use our private office space when it’s time to meet with a client or employer.
WHAT SUPPORT DO THEY NEED FROM YOUR COMMUNITY TO SUCCEED?
The coworkers we attract are normally transplants from other coworking spaces who were not able to work in the typical, high energy coworking atmosphere. They were looking for a quiet, simple office with a seat to work — not the happy hour, ping pong table, loud, and overly crowded office that attracts the typical coworker.
Our coworkers are looking for down-to-earth people in a low maintenance atmosphere — at a low price, of course.
We are also a local favorite for the worker who has spent a little too much time working from home and realizing that they missed the collaborative and friendly atmosphere of an office (or just needed an afternoon away from the kids!)
For both of these types of coworkers, the basics of a workspace is all they need — a place to sit, fast wifi, and free coffee. But an added bonus they all said they never realized they needed until they had it is that they also received the support of a community that believed in them.
As a Chamber of Commerce, our only goal is to elevate the local business climate, so we use our resources, influence and positive attitude to make sure that our coworkers succeed. Our coworkers then take advantage of all of the networking mixers, educational workshops and committee meetings that are offered to them as honorary Chamber members, one of the perks of being a member of LAX Coworking.
WHAT’S THE SOLOPRENEUR COMMUNITY LIKE IN COASTAL LOS ANGELES?
Growing, but facing difficulties. While we have multiple coworkers who are starting their own business in our space… Read more on the Nation 1099 blog!
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