You’ve nailed your location. Your marketing’s dialed in. But if your leads aren’t turning into members… there’s a good chance your speed to lead is the culprit.

In this episode, Jamie breaks down why fast lead response is more than a “nice to have”; it’s one of the biggest drivers of sales success (or failure) in your coworking business. And it’s one of the easiest things to improve without adding headcount.

We cover:

• Why slow response time might be quietly killing your conversion rate — even if you’re getting leads.

• How to optimize lead response without hiring a full-time salesperson.

• Practical tools (like AI chatbots and SMS automation) to bridge the gap.

• Why phone and text should beat email every time when responding to inquiries.

• How to help your team prioritize lead response, even if they wear all the hats.

If you’ve ever wondered why your sales funnel feels leaky, this episode will help you plug the holes — and close more deals.

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

In this episode, I talk with Leslie Bailey, founder and CEO of Indy Maven and the powerhouse behind Maven Space, a coworking space that was as bold and layered as Leslie herself.

Leslie never set out to run a coworking space. What began as a media company and newsletter for women in Indianapolis quickly snowballed into a full-on community, and eventually a physical space with coworking, a cafe, a gym, an event venue, and yes, cauliflower soup that apparently had a fan club.

We talk about:

• How Leslie went from lifestyle editor to community builder and coworking operator, almost by accident.

• The business model behind Maven Space: combining coworking, hospitality, events, and sponsorships into one seamless experience.

• What worked (and didn’t) in her 15,000 sq ft downtown space, and what she planned to change in her next location.

• How she used sponsorships and her media background to unlock non-traditional coworking revenue streams.

• Why her digital membership community is still going strong, and what the future looks like post-coworking.

Whether you’re dreaming about layering more revenue streams into your coworking business or wondering how to build community with or without a physical space, this one’s packed with takeaways you can use.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Leslie's LinkedIn profile

Indy Maven website

Leslie Bailey’s personal website

Leslie’s 10 Lessons Learned article

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube

Ever wonder what it’s like to build a coworking space outside the U.S. from scratch, in another language, with a whole new playbook?

Joel Ballew is the Chief People Officer at Coventus Space in Barranquilla, Colombia, and he’s not your average operator. He moved his family from Georgia to Colombia, sold his dream business, learned Spanish from the ground up, and launched what is now the largest privately held coworking space in a city of nearly 2 million people.

In this episode, Joel shares the highs, the lows, and the “wait, you did what?” moments of creating a thriving, purpose-driven business in an emerging market.

We talk about:

• The cultural and operational curveballs of launching a coworking space in Colombia—including why recurring payments aren’t really a thing.

• How Joel built lead volume through WhatsApp, Instagram, and literal flyers on car windshields (and why it's working).

• What it takes to educate a market on coworking while creating a strong local brand.

• How his space combines private offices, day passes, event rentals, and even a coffee shop run by a third party.

• Why doing good while doing well isn’t just a tagline—it’s a business model that fuels impact and sustainability.

Whether you're a seasoned operator or dreaming of launching in a new market, this conversation is a masterclass in adapting, listening to your audience, and building community on your own terms.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Joel's LinkedIn profile

Coventus Space website

Everything Coworking Featured Resources:

Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space

Coworking Startup School

Community Manager University

Follow Us on YouTube