How a flexible workspace can serve self-employed workers. Self-employed and freelance workers are making up a larger part of the workforce than ever before. While some self-employed workers are content to work in their homes, the in-home office isn’t always sufficient. Here, Holly Welles explains what to expect from a flexible space, and how this type of workspace can serve self-employed workers. This article was written by Holly Welles, a real estate writer for The Estate Update . The workplace looks a lot different than it did during our parents’ careers. The gig economy is growing, and more varied than ever. Order your dinner from GrubHub, call an Uber to get to work and rent an Airbnb for your next vacation. Self-employed and freelance workers are making up a larger part of the workforce than ever before. Upwards of 44% of gig workers use this unique form of employment as their primary income, with another 56% using it to supplement their regular income. While some self-employed workers are content to work in their homes, the in-home office isn’t always sufficient. How can flexible workspaces serve self-employed workers, and what should you look for if your home office isn’t cutting it anymore? What Do Flexible Workspaces Offer? Home offices are incredibly convenient. Instead of a morning commute, you walk into whatever room you’re using for your office and get to work. It might sound ideal, but you may find yourself longing for a more collaborative office environment. That’s where flexible workspaces come in. They help bridge the gap between home offices and the professional spaces you’ve come to know and love, and might miss. Flexible workspaces can come with all sorts of different benefits and features — and one might offer something another hasn’t even considered. In general, though, what do these spaces provide? Furnished office suites that can be private, collaborative or a mixture of the two, depending on your needs. A stable and fast internet connection. Conference rooms and other shared spaces, as needed. Amenities, ranging from coffee and pencils to high-quality printers and other equipment. For self-employed individuals, getting your hands on all these features and more might require a substantial real estate investment — not to mention all the money you’d have to put into the space to furnish it and get it up to snuff. While this is an option, it is often out of reach for the average self-employed person or small business, with 85% of small business real estate transactions costing up to $2 million. The Less Tangible Benefits of Flexible Workspaces These aren’t the only things you might find in a flexible workspace, however. They’re often much more comfortable than a home office — especially if you haven’t splurged for the perfect ergonomic chair you’ve had languishing in your Amazon cart since you started working from home. Plus, if you share your home with a spouse, children or roommates, coworking spaces help you get out of the house and focus on work. […]
