Scaling With Heart: Mantle’s Growth to 8 Sites While Staying People-First, with Jo Hart

What does it really take to scale a coworking business without losing the soul of what made it special in the first place?

In this episode of Powering Productivity, I’m joined by Jo Hart, who has been at the heart of Mantle Space’s growth from a single serviced-office centre to eight thriving locations across the South East of England.

Jo’s story isn’t flashy or polished, it’s real.

She’s worked her way through every layer of the organisation over the last 14+ years: front-of-house, operations, business development, marketing. And because of that, she brings something rare, a grounded understanding of what teams, members, and communities genuinely need to feel supported.

This conversation is especially meaningful for independent hubs, neighbourhood coworking operators, and micro business owners who want to grow in a way that still feels human. Even though Mantle is a larger operator now, the challenges they’ve navigated culture, communication, community balance, energy, wellbeing are the same ones small spaces face every day.

✨ Together, we explore:

• How Mantle scaled from 1 to 8 locations while keeping member + staff culture at the centre
• The realities of building community across multiple locations
• Why team wellbeing is foundational to member experience
• The juggling act of operations, hospitality and emotional labour
• The role of design, environment and atmosphere in shaping community
• How digital tools help without replacing the human touch
• What independent operators can learn from a bigger regional player

This episode is ultimately about growth that doesn’t cost your heart and why scaling with care, clarity and culture still matters more than ever.

“What stayed at the heart of Mantle through growth is simple: look after your people, and everything else follows.” Jo Hart

Highlights:

• Jo’s journey from PA to leading across multiple business functions
• How Mantle kept its family-feel culture even as the team grew from 8 to 48
• Culture, communication and why empowerment matters more than processes
• Navigating challenges: COVID, new centre openings, political + economic uncertainty
• Balancing diverse communities across different types of locations
• The power of thoughtful workspace design in belonging and productivity
• Using digital tools to support (not replace) human connection
• Supporting centre teams who juggle HR, operations, community, emotions
• The importance of celebrating wins and looking back at how far you’ve come
• What regional coworking operators can learn from each other

Timestamps:

00:00 — Welcome to Powering Productivity

00:54 — Introducing Jo Hart & Mantle Space

02:06 — Jo’s journey into coworking

04:26 — From 1 centre to 8: what has changed (and what hasn’t)

05:33 — Culture, values & how Mantle “scaled with heart”

10:58 — Operational challenges & opportunities in regional coworking

13:57 — Navigating COVID, furlough, and rebuilding with care

15:55 — Member mix: corporates, SMEs, remote workers & entrepreneurs

18:20 — Why design + environment matter more than ever

22:27 — Digital tools and keeping the human touch

25:18 — Team wellbeing, boundaries & emotional load

28:19 — Collaboration, connection & the future of regional coworking

31:12 — Where to find Jo and more about Mantle Space

Resources:

Mantle Space → https://www.mantle.co.uk

Powering Productivity Podcast Homepage → https://www.thehubnewry.com/podcast

Suzanne’s Coaching & Support for Micro / Coworking Operators → https://www.thehubnewry.com/coaching-mentoring/

My Quiet Reset – Free Guide → 7 Signs You’re Quietly Carrying Too Much

PP S4E11 TRANSCRIPT

If you’re a micro business owner or neighbourhood coworking operator who often feels like you’re carrying too much I hope this episode reminds you that you’re not alone.

There is quiet strength in the work you do, and community grows from the small, consistent actions that never make the headlines but change lives every day.

Listen to more of my podcast episodes here