S4 Ep4. The heart of neighbourhood coworking & community, with Roland Stanley
Suzanne talks to Roland Stanley, owner and operator of Dragon Coworking, an independent coworking & community hub space in Rochester, England.
They chat around the highs and challenges of running a neighbourhood workspace & why it’s community relationships and not just desks that are at the heart of coworking.
They talk about:
✅ How he went from hotelier to coworking operator (by accident!)
✅ The power of community over just desks & coffee
✅ Opportunities for smaller operators—from partnerships to new spaces
✅ Challenges like market uncertainty & making hotdesking work
✅ Creative revenue streams & what you need to be aware of (hello, virtual offices!)
✅ Why sustainability & mental health support matter in coworking
✅ Making friends with the competition
✅ How small operators can leverage partnerships with councils and landlords
Find out more about Dragon Coworking at https://dragoncoworking.co.uk/
Watch the video here
SM S4E4 AUDIO TRANSCRIPT
Listen to more of our podcast episodes here
If any of this resonates with you and you’d like to learn more then I’m here to help.
I’m Suzanne, an accredited coach & mentor
With over 13 years in the industry I help SME & micro coworking owner/operators to cultivate a thriving flexible workspace without wasting time & money
A particular focus on regional & neighbourhood workplaces I also help forward thinking SME businesses leaders discover agile ways of working, exploring their uniqueness & strengths bringing clarity & sustainable energy
Work With Me
Suzanne Murdock
MD & Co Founder
Hi, I’m Suzanne Murdock - Co-Founder & Operator of The Hub Newry, a neighbourhood coworking and flexible workspace in the heart of Newry. For over 13 years I’ve worked closely with micro business owners, remote workers, growing teams and coworking operators, helping create calmer, more sustainable ways of working that support both people and performance. Alongside running The Hub, I also coach and mentor purpose-led business owners and neighbourhood coworking/flex space operators who are often quietly carrying a lot behind the scenes. My work focuses on helping people create more clarity, structure and momentum within real-life time, energy and capacity - without losing the human side of what they’re building. Much of what I write about here explores: • flexible and hybrid working • neighbourhood coworking and local business ecosystems • leadership, energy and decision fatigue • creating supportive environments where people can do their best work • balancing ambition with real life If you’re exploring workspace options, navigating change in your business, or simply trying to create a steadier and more sustainable way of working, you’re very welcome to get in touch. You can connect with me through The Hub Newry or email me at suzanne@thehubnewry.com 💛
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