More Than Walls: Our Journey to Building a Community
- Chris Roberts
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
When I first envisioned Work Club, it wasn't about a building. It was about solving a problem I deeply felt myself: the growing loneliness in our professional lives, even amidst the flexibility of remote work. I was searching for a coworking space that felt vibrant, transparent, and genuinely community-driven—and I just couldn't find it. So, a slightly "crazy" idea began to form: what if we built it ourselves?
That journey began over a year and a half ago, juggling my role as a COO while nurturing this burgeoning dream. The first step wasn't signing a lease; it was talking to people. Lots of people. We hosted design workshops and countless conversations, all aimed at understanding what a truly community-first workspace should feel like.
Community First: The "Thursdays w/Work Club" Experiment
We knew that the foundation of Work Club had to be its people. So, even as we embarked on the surprisingly long and intricate process of finding the perfect physical space (commercial real estate, if you know, you know!), we decided to start building the community right away.
This led to the idea of our weekly "Thursdays w/Work Club" meetups at Carnegie Coffee. What began as an experiment has transformed into the very heart of our mission. Every Thursday, we gather—a diverse group of founders, freelancers, and flexible professionals—to simply work alongside each other.
And what has unfolded in those casual, coffee-fueled sessions has been nothing short of inspiring:
Spontaneous Connections: Beyond just working, these meetups became a hub for authentic interaction. Strangers became familiar faces, then colleagues, then friends.
Mutual Support: We started to witness incredible "give and take." Members would casually share a challenge they were facing, and within minutes, another member would offer advice, a tool recommendation, or even an introduction. It’s been a beautiful demonstration of how much stronger we are when we support each other.
Learning & Collaboration: As we learned more about each other's work, unexpected collaborations sparked, and fresh perspectives flowed freely. These weren't forced networking events; they were organic moments of shared growth.
You can see this spirit in action through some of the incredible stories from our founding members. We've been sharing their insights in our member spotlight videos:
From Community to Clubhouse: Our New Home
These weekly gatherings solidified our belief: the people are the product. And now, I am absolutely thrilled to share that this thriving community finally has a home to match its spirit!
We've secured the lease for a truly special, historical building – one filled with natural light, thoughtful architecture, and a perfect blend of private offices and open workspaces. It’s a place designed to enhance the very connections and collaborations that have organically blossomed over coffee.
Over the next month or so, we'll be busy transforming it into our clubhouse, with a tentative launch by Thanksgiving. This space isn't just for me; it's for all of us—a permanent hub where the energy of our Thursdays can grow into something even more impactful.
Thank you to every single person who has been part of this journey. Your engagement, your ideas, and your presence have built Work Club from a crazy idea into a vibrant reality. Coworking should never be lonely, and with this community and our new home, it never will be.
Want to be part of what we're building?
Join us at our "Thursdays w/Work Club" meetups at Carnegie Coffee from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until our clubhouse opens!
