Our brand new flexible office enter at 4920 W Cypress Street is now open for business. The executive conference room is perfect for board meetings, presentations, and many team activities. Come check it out!

Are you an entrepreneur who’s running a small business and dreaming of a vacation? Are you hesitant to step away from the biz for a few days or worried that you won’t be able to enjoy a worry-free getaway? You’re not alone. Studies show that only 57% of small business owners plan to take a vacation this year. Sounds sad right? Well, the good news is that vacation can be a reality – even for small business owners. The secret is to prepare your clients and any staff and to set limits for yourself. Here are a few tips on how to get your business and yourself ready for some much-needed R&R.

Give Your Clients Advanced Notice. Any client that works exclusively with you should be notified in advance of your vacation schedule. This especially goes for the customers that tend to procrastinate. Contact them a few days before you are set to leave so you can accommodate any of their last- minute requests.

Have a Troubleshooting Plan. If you have business partners or staff, make sure they have the information they need to fix the issue or to contact the right person who can. This could be anything from technical issues with computers, your website, etc. It’s also a good idea to have one person in charge of any unforeseen issues, but to also provide the entire staff the information they need should that person be away. What we find cool at our coworking space is soloprenuers can leverage other members to help out if needed while they’re away.

Set Clear Expectations for Any Team Members. Be clear with your team (and clients for that matter) on how you want to be notified while you’re away so you do not receive a ton of emails or texts throughout the day. Ask clients to not reach out unless there is an absolute urgent matter. And for any coworkers, ask them to send one email at the end of the day that briefly sums up anything you MUST know. Otherwise, you win your business everyday so you can handle the follow up when you get back.

Set Vacation Rules for Yourself. Let’s be honest, you’re going to check in on things while you’re away. We do it too… While on vacation, set a time of day and a limit for checking in on business. For example, every morning give yourself a half hour to check emails and maybe another half hour before or after dinner. Set the do not disturb on your cell phone and while you’re away make sure to change your voicemail in case clients or prospective clients call you!

Avoid All Contracts. If possible, avoid sending or receiving contracts while you’re away. These need to be reviewed in detail, and if you’re having the fun vacation you wanted, you will not give the contracts the attention they require. Bringing that new client on can wait while until you get back from vacation.

Avoid Social Media. Don’t get sucked into the social media warp while you’re on vacation! If you typically post daily for your business, create and queue posts in advance using a tool such as Hootsuite or SocialPilot so it’s all one less thing to worry about while on vacation. You may even want to post that you’re going on vacation so your community doesn’t expect to hear much from you.

Simply put, life is short, and vacations are important especially when you own a small business! It gives you the time you need to recharge, relax, and come back to work with a clear mind. You work hard, so you deserve a little time to play hard too.

Are you tired of hustling to help someone else achieve their dreams? Deciding to open a small business and taking off on your own as an entrepreneur is a BFD! Calling the shots isn’t always glamorous, and statistics show that about 80% of new businesses only survive the first year. That’s a daunting stat. It takes a lot to set yourself and your new business up for success. So how do you know that you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? These questions may help you to determine that:

Are you willing to leave it all out there?
 
To be a successful entrepreneur, you must have confidence and the belief in your business idea so much that you will lay it all on the line.
 
Although, you have the passion for what you’re up to, the reality is that you may not be able to find investors to help you start your own business. You’ll need to put every fiber of your being out there while working smart so you don’t get burned out. That way, when the going gets tough-and it will-your vision will keep you going every step of the way.
 
Are you willing to learn?
 
You may know everything there is to know about being a graphic designer, lawyer, CPA, etc. but the truth of the matter is that there is a lot going on in the background to run a successful business. You’ll either need to learn the multiple hats or be willing to hire on help where needed to get it done. Either way, being willing to learn and adapt is key to having what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
 
Are you willing to answer the call?
 
When you’re a soloprenuer or small business owner, your clients know you. So you must be responsive. Being an entrepreneur is not a 9-to-5 job.
 
Now, that’s not to say you have to answer those 2AM emails (boundaries are important), but when your phone starts ringing off the hook you need to be willing to answer calls and emails at all times of the day, on weekends, and on vacations. We even know a realtor who called prospective clients back on her wedding day, now that’s dedication to your business!
 
Are you decisive or indecisive?
 
Hard work and long hours aren’t good predictors of success. Ultimately, your business becomes the result of the decisions you as a business owner make. 
 
Can you choose what programs and software to use? Can you pull the trigger on day-to-day leadership decisions like hiring and firing?  Can you go with your gut? If you are still trying to decide if you’re decisive or indecisive, you have your answer…
 
If you’re not decisive, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be successful. You just need to surround yourself with like-minded professionals who can help you grow in that area and become a better entrepreneur.
 
Are you resilient?
 
You may have more losses than wins when you first strike out on your own. Can you keep going when the going gets tough?
 
The life as a business owner isn’t all about the benefit of a flexible schedule; there are a lot of extreme ups and downs. That’s where your vision and being strong in your answer to question 1 become your guiding principle.
 
As small business owners ourselves, we’ve had a few business fails, and we’ve experienced business success at CoCreativ. As a coworking office, we’re constantly around other entrepreneurs.  We’ve seen some failures, but we’ve been proud to be a part of the successes too. Those wins and helping members move past the tough times by knowing they have a community behind them is one of the main reasons CoCreativ exists.

Talk to everyone you know

Ask your friends and colleagues “What are three things you think I’m best at?” And ask them “If you were in the need for a local coworking office (or what your product/service is), how would you find it?”

This will help you to guide where you should focus your time to find prospective clients and help you be very clear about your strengths as a value proposition to close the deal! You can use a short anonymous survey via Google Forms to get this information, and not put friends and family on the spot. Plus, keeping it anonymous may encourage people to be more honest about the feedback.

Network to get involved in the community

People will not magically know that you exist. You have to put yourself out there! Attend networking events to help find connections—not clients. These connectors may or may not turn out to be a client, but they can help introduce you to potential clients, which is key when you’re first starting out!

We recommend checking Meetup.com to find events in Tampa Bay. Plus, our cowork office space hosts networking events too!

Don’t be sucked into the marketing you don’t need…yet.

It’s easy to get excited about the fun parts of business like marketing campaigns and creating your business blog — but the truth is, none of that really matters when you’re just starting out. You don’t need a full scale website or SEO yet so don’t spend your valuable time there. All you need is a nice landing page, an email address, and a Facebook business page and the last one is only if your potential clients are on that social platform.

Focus on the client and conversations you’re having with prospects and it will help to form these higher level tactics later on once you have a base of people who will pay for your services.

Collaborate with your competitors

Yes, you read that right. When you’re trying to land your first clients your competition can be a great way to find them.

Think about it; maybe they had a client that they no longer work with, a prospect that wasn’t a fit for their company, or maybe it’s a project that they can do but they don’t love that type of work. Your competition could refer you in as an option and it’s a win-win for you both. You get new business and they show that they are looking out for the client’s best interest.

Remember: when you’re trying to get your first clients, you never know who may have a referral for you!

Use one client to get the next

Delivered results (of course you did)…then leverage one client to get another! Referrals are a quick way to get your first few clients. The best way to ask for a referral is right after you’ve delivered something of high-value to your first client. Asking for referrals is much easier when you know that your client will want to tell others about your awesome work.

It doesn’t need to be complex either. Say something to the effect of:

Hi CLIENT,

I’m glad you enjoyed my work! If you know of anyone else who’s looking for my services, I’d be grateful if you passed my information along to them.

Thank you,
Joseph

So there you have it. Your first few clients set the tone of your business and where you’ll scale. Work hard to land that first client, but also make sure that you’re thinking long-term. You have to create a foundation that will secure your future as a small business owner.

If you're an entrepreneur who is hustling to make your first $100,000 or want to hear encouraging stories, best practices, and more business "hacks" then make sure to listen to our free Business Podcast! Of course, you’re always welcome to join the community at our collaborative coworking office spaces in Downtown and South Tampa. We’re here to help your business win!

Love is in the air, and we’re feeling it thanks to the great feedback from our many happy members!  Check out a few of the latest and greatest social media reviews praising our amazing team members, affordable shared office space, and the best office rental value in Tampa, Florida (ok we may be a little biased there).  Still not convinced?  Be sure to take a look at some awesome success stories from local entrepreneurs.  With CoCreativ, you’ll see the difference of our family style community no matter what stage of business growth you’re in.

 “Well I rented here for one year while my corporate office was doing renovations. It was so easy to work with them! Very professional and kind. The office is private and secure and always looking beautiful. Communication was easy and Jason and Joseph are truly great guys and want make sure every need is taken care of and that I felt at home in my temporary office. If I had to choose a private office to rent again I would gladly contact them and refer people to them. thank you !” – Donna Delmar, 5/5 stars

“The staff and the space are wonderful. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with CoCreativ. If I even need the location again, I would definitely sign up. My only reason for leaving is that I no longer need an office in South Tampa.” – Melissa Bailey, Psy.D., 5/5 stars

“I recently attended a business owner event here. The space and the people were great. I loved the alive and vibrant feel that was fully professional and welcoming.” – Dianne Allen, 5/5 stars

“Awesome location, and awesome concept for a small business looking to grow. Very professional location, and Joseph and Jason are really great guys abd wasy to work with. Don't work from home -- get away from all of the distractions and come to CoCreativ!” – Jeff Norvell, 5/5 stars

Our Facebook community has shared their experience too; feedback like this is what helps make us one of the best coworking office spaces in Tampa Bay:

“The location is premium! At first glance it was extremely inviting. The low overhead lighting is very conducive for a less stressful working environment which produces more results. The common space is open; each office has a window and the amenities were clean and accommodating. Very pleased.” –Laraine Chulla
 
 “Nice, clean space located conveniently in downtown Tampa!” – Nicki Wallen

“Fantastic place to work! Very supportive and professional environment. I highly recommend CoCreativ.” – Molly Carey Smith

We love and appreciate every single CoCreativ members. Our team of community managers and staff, work hard to impress you and help you win at work. Ready for more business success and great networking opportunities? Give yourself the gift of new chances for growth at our virtual office space. For more information or to book a tour of our office rentals in Tampa, call us at (888) 505-6334.

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." --Henry Ford

We’ve been at this so long it can be hard to remember that for many people, coworking is a new work trend. So, what is coworking? It is often seen as an alternative to working from home or renting your own office. Our members find that our shared space offers flexibility, increased productivity, and networking opportunities. Here we take a deeper look at what coworking is and whether you might benefit from it. 

Coworking at a Glance

Officially, coworking is a term generally used to describe any situation in which two or more people are working in the same place together, but usually not for the same company. So instead of working remotely in separate offices, at home, or local coffee shops, entrepreneurs and telecommuters (either full time or part time) can share work space together.  Cool concept right?

Started in the early 2000s in the Bay Area, coworking has grown into a global movement. It provides the benefits of your own office space, but only when you want it and it’s maintained by someone else! Plus, financially for many small businesses, coworking makes perfect sense because it’s more affordable way to rent an office.

Why Coworking?

Sure, some coworking spaces are about filling desks. But in general, it takes a communal mindset to make a coworking office truly successful. At CoCreativ, we foster a culture of family, success, and excellence in our fields. We push each other to do better every day and work together to help each other grow professionally. For us, coworking helps Tampa businesses win (not that we’re biased)!

What to Expect in a Coworking Space?

When you walk in, you won’t see row after boring row of cubicles or lifeless corporate spaces. Every coworking office is different and the interiors and amenities of each space go toward the overall vibe or culture of the office.

For example at CoCreativ, you’ll find low lighting scientifically proven to help you be more productive and of course, Wi-Fi, break room, private offices, conference rooms, open desks in our business lounge, and private quiet rooms. And, yes, we offer free Kahwa coffee.

Crushing it at the South Tampa coworking space.

Who Uses Coworking Spaces?

Some coworking spaces are built to serve a particular community. Our name would suggest that you’d only find creative types at our virtual office, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Truth is anyone who has works at home or remotely, startups, consultants, small teams, and more benefit from working this way. Our Tampa coworking offices have a blend of creatives, Attorneys, IT Consultants, health professionals, and more all working together.

You may want to consider your personality and industry when picking the right coworking space for your business. Some people find inspiration being around people in their same field, while others thrive in a varied environment with lots of perspectives. Either way, you’re surrounded by awesomeness.

What’s CoCreativ All About?

Why do we know coworking so well? Well, CoCreativ was one of Tampa’s first coworking offices. We were founded in 2013. Our team cares about our members like family and we mean it. We work hard, we play hard around our shared office. This has created the unique culture you see today. CoCreativ empowers you to win every day at work at our Tampa office locations.

Now that you’re a coworking expert, give it shot with our no long-term commitment and affordable memberships. Business lounge membership starts at just $150/month (compared to over $400 for a chair at other Tampa coworking offices). CoCreativ is one of the best virtual offices near you. Contact us to schedule a tour with a Community Manager today!

When people hear New Year’s resolutions, they often think of things like “lose weight” or “travel more” For small business owners and entrepreneurs, personal goals often coincide with professional goals. This is the perfect time to reflect on your business’ progress and create impactful New Year’s resolutions for your small business.

If you haven't made your New Year's resolutions yet, here are 6 the team at our coworking office think would be great for your business growth in 2018:

1.I will charge what I’m worth.

Do you feel like your product or service is undervalued or that you’re underpaid? If so, then this resolution will help your small business market to the right people instead of treading water speaking to the wrong customers.

It’s okay to raise your rates to be in line with the value you bring to the table! Depending on your business model, you can implement this in a couple ways:

• Create package value to give prospects more choices and shift from the time spent to the value of your offering
• Small discounts for client loyalty (tech companies do this all the time where you get a discount for paying for the year as opposed to month-to-month)

Once you’ve committed to charging what you’re worth, maintain the prices have the confidence not to lower your price in an effort to win new business.

2. I will promote my business regularly.

We get it, promoting your small business can often find itself at the bottom of your to-do list. But if you want to attract new customers, then you MUST make promotion a priority. As your New Year's resolution either hire a marketing expert or take the time to create a marketing plan on your own and follow through on it!

This resolution is perfect for entrepreneurs who haven’t updated their website in more than two years or made it mobile-responsive, haven't created an email marketing list, or don’t use some form of social media. Its 2018 so now is the time to promote what you do!

3. I will take time for myself.

Better work-life balance is possible and can help entrepreneurs prevent burnout. Start by setting work hours and sticking to them! Set the expectation with clients, family, and coworkers when you’re working and when you aren’t. If you don’t set these boundaries and create value around your time, then no one else will.  

You can also schedule “me” time on your calendar to free up time to do the things you enjoy, and don’t push the appointment with yourself. You wouldn’t just skip a client meeting, would you?

4. I will make business planning a weekly event.

“Without a plan, you plan to fail.” For small businesses being agile is one of our top strengths so this may just be the New Year’s resolution you need to grow a healthy business. But we understand running a business can be hectic and it’s easy to get sucked into the daily operations. Business strategizing on a constant basis helps you see quickly what worked and what didn’t.

Most businesses do this only yearly or quarterly which can lead to spending longer than necessary on costly mistakes. Break out your calendar and set aside time each week to review, adjust, and look forward to the week ahead.

5. I will stop spending time on things that aren’t working.

After business strategizing, you’ll know what’s not working for your business. Don’t invest a lot of energy into trying to make the unworkable workable. If a product, technique, or business relationship isn't working for you, then move on. We swear something better is in your future.

6. I will give back to my community.

Your business isn’t the only thing that matters! Make a difference in your community by spending time on a cause that matters to you. This resolution not only makes you feel great, but community involvement can create goodwill and local advocacy for you & the business.

If you use one of these New Year's resolutions for entrepreneurs through the year, you'll be energized to make your business the success both it & you deserve!
If you’re looking to make a difference in your business, tour our top Tampa coworking office. Be around like-minded entrepreneurs to help you make your 2018 business resolutions successful!

From the entire team at CoCreativ, cheers to the New Year!

Creating a professional image is key to your success. Whether you're just starting out as an entrepreneur or a burgeoning freelancer, first impressions are crucial to gaining new clients and keeping your reputation. How you present yourself plays a very important part in making a great first impression during an initial meeting with a client or during an introduction at a networking function.

As shallow as it may seem, your physical appearance does matter. It says a lot about who are you and what you have to offer others. How you are perceived by others can make or break a deal. Giving off a strong first impression is the first step to gaining the trust of others and getting hired by the clients you hope to reach.
 
Think of first impressions as business etiquette. You’re setting the tone for a future business relationship and setting your expectations. You want people to see the best in you from the get-go. The three components of creating a first impression is the way you dress, the way you act and the way you speak.
 
According to Business Insider it takes 7 seconds to make a first impression. After that 7 seconds a mental image is formed in a person’s mind based on that first encounter. 55% of that message is transmitted by the speaker’s appearance and body language.
 
Following these general guidelines will set you on the path to success and getting that client to hire you!
 
1.) Dress the Part
Clothing is ranked as one of the top things people notice first when they make an initial judgment of a person. Your image should reflect your company's personality, industry and expectations. You want people to respect you and take you seriously. An article by Forbes stated people with nicer appearances are generally thought to be more productive and have more energy. If you’re not taking care of yourself you’re perceived as undisciplined.

Fashion is a form of self-expression and should also be fun! Dress in something you feel confident, competent and comfortable in. Don’t feel you need to wear a full suit or jacket if you don’t normally wear a blazer. There are of course exceptions to the rule. When you feel comfortable and presentable you seem in control of the situation. In turn others will have more confidence in you. You’ve invested in your business and how it’s run, it’s also good business sense to invest in yourself. A powerful professional wardrobe enhances your status and can lead you towards success.
 
Style Tip: When in doubt, err on the conservative side and dress up for the occasion. It’s better to overdress than under dress.
 
2.) You Are What You Wear
When you look good, you feel good. That positive affect translates into your work and interactions with others. When you’re not focused on how you look you’re focused on your performance and others. A first impression survey conducted by Censuswide in 2016 showed a link between how people dressed and how they felt. 52.2% stated being smartly dressed made them feel confident, 35.4% said they felt positive and 31.3% said they felt professional. By dressing the part you perceive you are capable of a task and you enhance your ability to actually achieve goals. When you exude confidence you walk tall, make eye contact and shake hands firmly. People want to know you’re engaged and confident.
 
3.) Top Off Your Look with a Smile
Talk with a smile. In most cases, you will find when you smile at a person they often smile back. Smiling is warm and inviting. It makes others feel comfortable around you and helps take off the edge. It’s important to show your client or the other person you’re happy to be there and looking forward to the opportunity ahead. Harvard Business School social psychologist, Amy Cuddy, found in her studies that when people meet the first time they judge by “how warm and trusting a person is” which tells them “what a person’s intentions are towards them.” 

Be natural and authentic. A smile can also be the most memorable feature a person takes away after meeting for the first time. You want the first impression people get of your brand to be a positive one.

Managing your image helps create a great first impression, and helps you achieve your career goals and ambitions. What does your current image say about you and your business? Does your image project trustworthiness and competence or resonate with the clients you hope to reach?
 
Cocreativ is hosting a Dress for Success seminar at our South Tampa office space. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out on this event! Contact Andrea Romero the community manager, entrepreneur, and speaker for more details.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” –Helen Keller

When you start your own business or work remotely, it’s easy to feel secluded working at home alone. Sure a coffee shop gives you some human interaction, but it’s not the same as working around like-minded professionals-nor is it as beneficial.

Who we choose to be around is one of the most important decisions we make in life both personally and professionally. Building relationships with other entrepreneurs is key to maintaining a successful business; making the right connections and surrounding yourself with like-minded professionals can inspire creativity and prevent work burnout.

Here are some reasons that highlight the importance of being around like-minded professionals:  

Sense of community & meeting new people. Feeling isolated working remotely? Meeting people can give you new ideas and a different perspective on existing problems.

As part of a network of business professionals, you can encourage others and give business advice along the way creating a community of support. This means you have people around you to help you achieve your goals, create new possibilities, and share your accomplishments with. Additionally, you may have interests in common outside of work that can lead to lasting friendships!

Inspiration from their passion. Spending time with like-minded professionals impacts your own business mindset. Their success (or as we call them wins), perseverance, and attitude can often give you the courage to keep going.

Regardless of field, simply by being around other business owners and solopreneurs gets you excited about being one too!

Shorten the learning curve.  When you start a business, there is so much to learn and little time for missteps. But generally as entrepreneurs, we learn by trial & error. By engaging with like-minded professionals, you may learn from them at a much faster rate than you would learn on your own.

Constant communication with other entrepreneurial minds may help you create and refine your ideas. It can also prevent you from investing time on unproductive tasks. The benefits are clear. By being in an environment with other entrepreneurial minds, you can make connections with people who have been there, done that, which reduces struggle & effort while saving you time and money.

Growth encourages growth. The most important aspect of connecting with other like-minded business professionals is the element of positivity. A community of entrepreneurial minds inspires a little healthy competition; their growth can stimulate yours. Remember: the people don’t have to be in the same industry as you are to be a like-minded professional, they just need to have a similar attitude.

A work community encourages you to raise others up to perform at your level. Plus, enthusiasm is contagious, and being around other businesses with the same high levels of determination serves to increase your own motivation.

Connections, connections, connections. We all do business with people we know, like, and trust. Many people will tell you ‘it’s who you know’ when it comes to getting the break your business needs.

It’s important to be around like-minded professionals so you can increase your chances of interacting with key local influencers and getting your name out there. Spending time with other entrepreneurs and remote workers can lead to great business referrals or joint client projects.

At CoCreativ, we’re entrepreneurs too and we know how important it is to surround yourself with other innovators & like-minded professionals. Simply being in this environment has the possibility of giving so much inspiration, collaboration, and business development.

Associating yourself with other successful small business owners and solopreneurs can go a long way. Want to see what we mean, schedule a tour at our Downtown or South Tampa coworking office spaces, and we’ll show you.