Philip Freeman, CEO of Murphy’s Naturals and Founder of The Loading Dock, transformed his garage startup into a leading natural products company and created groundbreaking co-warehousing spaces that cater to modern entrepreneurs.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• From Farm Life to Entrepreneurship: Philip’s unique path from growing up on a Virginia farm to becoming a successful business leader.
• Creating Murphy’s Naturals: How Philip solved his wife’s mosquito woes and built a thriving natural products brand from his garage.
• Launching The Loading Dock: The origin story of The Loading Dock and its role in offering flexible, community-oriented workspaces.
• Navigating Business Challenges: Real-world insights into dealing with space constraints and the complexities of business growth.
• Fostering a Vibrant Culture: How Philip’s commitment to respect and fun drives team success and a positive work environment.
• Co-Warehousing for Small Markets: Exploring the advantages and potential of co-warehousing in smaller communities and less populated areas.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Murphy’s Naturals – Learn more about the natural products Philip developed.
• The Loading Dock – Discover the co-warehousing spaces founded by Philip.
• B Corp Certification – Information on B Corp certification and its benefits.
• Traction by Gino Wickman – The book Philip referenced for business strategy.
• The Body Shop – Learn about the company that inspired Philip’s approach to business.

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Ramon Gonzalez, co-founder and CEO of Thrive Coworking, who grew up in the Bronx, navigating life in the projects with big dreams and a drive to succeed. Influenced by his uncle’s foray into real estate, Ramon initially found success in property management—a job he describes as thankless. Driven by a desire to build a company that prioritizes culture and people, Ramon turned his attention to coworking.

Inspired by local coworking pioneer Rome, he launched Thrive Coworking in 2015, and today it is 20 locations strong across Atlanta and the Southeast. Ramon shares how his faith and passion for community have shaped Thrive’s mission, including their growing philanthropic efforts. We explore Thrive’s business model, which primarily involves leasing spaces, sometimes owning them, and occasionally managing them under different agreements.

Ramon talks about the challenges they faced during COVID-19 and how they’ve managed to recover and continue expanding. He emphasizes the importance of sustainable growth, focusing on multiple locations within a market. Bozeman, Montana, is their latest venture, already 70% pre-sold despite the small local population, showcasing Thrive’s knack for spotting and meeting community needs.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Ramon on LinkedIn

Thrive Coworking website

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast