Author: Jeffrey Medina, BSU student
Question: So, let’s start with are you from this local area?
Answer: I am actually from Scituate!
Q: Tell me about your business.
A: My business is a flexible office environment for entrepreneurs and remote workers of larger companies for the South Shore area.
Q: Why did you choose this line of business?
A: I was a member at a flexible office space located in Hingham (which is now one of 3 locations I currently own), and while there I felt like I could do a better job than the previous owner, so I paid him a fee for the goodwill and took over his lease obligation from the landlord.
Q: When did it start? What Year?
A: It started for me in 2015, but the Hingham location had been in business since 2000.
Q: What was the toughest thing you went through when opening?
A: Hmmm, that’s a good question! I would say that some of the toughest things were updating the business in a nutshell. The previous owner had an ineffective and unsecure tech infrastructure, plus not to mention an old sort of outdated feel about it, so aesthetically the business needed to be completely redone as well.
Q: What inspired you to keep going as you were getting the business off the ground?
A: I think honestly the positive feedback I got back from members was something that really told me I must be doing something right and definitely made me want to continue with this even further.
Q: If you had to start over from day 1, what would you have done differently? Or what was your most difficult challenge?
A: I think at the beginning, I was quick to make change for the sake of change. I would get caught up in the sound of adding this or changing this to this, that I didn’t really take into account the practicality of some of my choices, so I would definitely try and change that instead.
Q: What is the toughest part about having a business in 2020?
A: Honestly, the toughest thing about having a business in 2020 would have to understand the ins and outs of online marketing. It is a place where you can spend a lot of money and make a lot of mistakes, so I think if I had spend more time/ the right amount of money in the beginning, it would have made life a lot easier as well.
Q: What is the number 1 way you currently bring in new customers?
A: I spend a lot of time on ‘Google my business’, which is a free feature available on Google that allows me to update my company information frequently, which in turn is rewarded by Google in a way, by bumping my business to the top of a potential clients Google search of something we offer.
Q: Has Internet technology (website, online ads, social media, etc.) played a big part in your growth and making your company more successful?
A: Absolutely. I try and keep our social media platforms updated as much as possible.
Q: Do you feel that Internet technology could play a bigger role in your business if you had the right tools?
A: So, I currently use a Customer Relations Management platform called Zoho (Google tool), and essentially what it does is act as a way of managing any potential leads or clicks on Google, my website, or social media platforms as well.
Q: If you had to look 6 months to a year into the future where would you like to see your business be?
A: I really want another location. I currently have 3, but I would like to expand my business as well, so I am currently looking for other possible locations as well.
Q: Would you ever consider taking a more passive role in managing your company by hiring a possible manager for one of the locations?
A: No, or at least not anytime soon. I think my business is very hands on, and I just wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving too much responsibility with someone else.
To contact Workspace:
Email: Justin@workspacema.com
Website: https://www.workspacema.com/locations/45
Facebook: Facebook.com/workspacema/
Twitter: @workspaceinma
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workspaceinma/