Powering Productivity

Welcome to this special episode of Powering Productivity, created in celebration of Small Business Saturday and our place in the UK’s SmallBiz100. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of sitting with founders, freelancers, independent coworking operators, community leaders and small teams, all people who've shared their truths with such honesty and generosity. What struck me, time a...

What it really takes to run a coworking space without running yourself into the ground. From the outside, running a coworking space can look beautifully simple: open the doors, fill the desks, host a few events and “let community happen”. But for most independent and local operators, the reality is far heavier and far more human. In this episode of Powering Productivity, Suzanne is joined by Lucy...

What does it really take to scale a coworking business without losing the soul of what made it special in the first place? In this episode of Powering Productivity , I’m joined by Jo Hart , who has been at the heart of Mantle Space’s growth from a single serviced-office centre to eight thriving locations across the South East of England. Jo’s story isn’t flashy or polished, it’s real. She’s worked...

What does it really take to build a thriving neighbourhood coworking space as an introverted founder especially when you’re juggling cashflow, confidence, and community in equal measure? In this episode of Powering Productivity, Suzanne sits down with Melissa Richards, founder of Buick Mackane, a vibrant creative coworking, meeting and event space in the heart of Newbury. The conversation is hones...

What if the future of work isn’t in glass towers or city coworking chains but in small, rooted hubs where people feel they belong? In this episode of Powering Productivity , Suzanne is joined by Maria do Céu Bastos , founder of NOWHERE Desk - a rural coworking hub in Portugal that’s become a lifeline for freelancers, founders, and her local community.  Together, they explore how rural coworking is...

What happens when you take a bold idea - a women-only coworking space and turn it into a thriving hub of creativity, community, and support? In this episode of Powering Productivity , Suzanne sits down with Stacey Sheppard, founder of Tribe Coworking in Devon. Stacey’s not just running a space she’s redefining what support looks like for freelancers, founders, and change makers. They talk about:...

In this episode discover how Ireland’s national coworking network is transforming local business, innovation and community through people-led workspaces and what it means for your coworking space or micro business. Suzanne together with Stephen Carolan and Leah Fairman of Connected Hubs explore the real-world impact of coworking on local economies , SME growth , and community resilience , especial...

Suzanne chats with Benjamin Carew, Co-founder & Director of Othership, who’s redefining flexible work by integrating workspaces and software to empower freelancers, SMEs, and enterprises to work anywhere, better.   💡 They talked about: ✅ How workspace software is changing the game forcoworking & hybrid businesses ✅What is floworking? ✅ The evolution of flexible work—beyond just remotev...

Suzanne talks to Roland Stanley, owner and operator of Dragon Coworking, an independent coworking space in Rochester, England. They chat around the highs and challenges of running a neighbourhood coworking space & why its relationships and not just desks that are at the heart of coworking. They talk about: ✅ How he went from hotelier to coworking operator (by accident!) ✅ The power of commun...

Suzanne talks to Claire Carpenter, a pioneer in coworking and social impact. From creating one of Europe’s first coworking hubs, The Melting Pot, Edinburgh to mapping rural opportunities & engaging in social fabric projects far & wide, Claire’s journey is full of lessons for community leaders and SME owners. They talk coaching, navigating transitions, and rethinking leadership—whether it’s...

Suzanne is joined by Jessica Morgan, Founder of Carnsight Communications. In this episode Suzanne and Jessica delve into the ever-changing world of public relations, the challenges of evolving workspaces, and the opportunities for small businesses in a shifting media landscape. Jess offers insights into PR strategies, coworking trends, and the role of culture in flexible workplace environments. Wh...

In this episode, Suzanne is joined by Jane Sartin, Executive Director of the Flexible Space Association known to many as Flexsa. Suzanne and Jane explored the growth, challenges, and opportunities within the flexible workspace industry, highlighting trends like hybrid work, the rise of town-centre workspaces, and the evolving role of AI. They also discussed support for small businesses and the imp...

In this episode, Suzanne is joined by Pauline Roussel who, together with her partner Dimitar Inchev are co-founders of Coworkies. They chat around the challenges and opportunities in the coworking space industry. Pauline shares her journey from banking to becoming a Chief Happiness Officer in Berlin, highlighting her diverse experiences and the unique cultures she's encountered in over 550 coworki...

In this episode Suzanne is joined by Yoshio Tsuda, founder of two very different coworking spaces - 'Morino Office' in rural Fujimi, Japan and the other 'Pile' - a collaborative studio space in the much more urban Yokohama, Japan. Suzanne & Yoshio chat around: Establishing remote work in rural Japan & the shift in Japanese work culture Exploring the industry & community importance Loca...

In this episode Suzanne is joined by Bernie Mitchell - CoCreator of the London Coworking Assembly. A seasoned expert who’s been around the coworking scene for about as long as coworking’s been around! A huge advocate, writer, podcaster & coach he’s a champion for us smaller, micro & more regional & neighbourhood flexible workspace operators & communities. Suzanne & Bernie chat...

In this episode Suzanne is joined by Jeannine Van Der Linden, founder and manager, of  de Kamer ,  a network of coworking spaces in the Netherlands. She’s also Managing Partner of  Open Coworking ,  a global movement dedicated to the values of Collaboration, Openness, Community, Accessibility, and Sustainability, and is Director of Sustainability and Accessibility & Founding Member & Manag...

In this episode Suzanne is joined by Lucy McInally, 'The Inclusive Coworker'; an experienced content writer specifically for businesses within the coworking movement & a big coworking & coliving advocate. They talk about: What community in the workplace means to different people? Becoming more pirate...a willingness to think differently & challenge the norm What is an 'incl...

Small, local & independent can create magic! In this episode Suzanne is joined by Bernie Mitchell, from the London Coworking Assembly. A seasoned expert who's been around the coworking scene for about as long as coworking's been around! A huge advocate, writer, podcaster & coach he's a champion for us smaller, more local & independent flexible workspace operators & comm...

Suzanne welcomes back William Redpath, Director of Manabu Learning & Chapter Lead with Grow Remote Ireland. They dive into: Possibilities & perspectives of regional v city centric working. What are the options out there? What are the flex office operator alternatives to the well know bigger brands like WeWork? What needs to change to level up access & opportunities for regional working...

Suzanne welcomes back William Redpath, Director of Manabu Learning & Chapter Lead with Grow Remote Ireland. They explore & chat about: What does a successful hybrid team looks like? The wins, the transformations & challenges? The normalisation of the return to the office, how can we take a more agile, inclusive approach The value of trust in remote working Embracing the individual in h...

Suzanne talks to Andrea Splendori, founder of Social Fabric and accomplished life and career coach. They chat about how creating the environment where individuals can thrive at work, through coaching & mentoring at both a team & individual levels. Here are some of the topics discussed: - Andrea's move from Italy to Ireland - Building community and a healthy ecosystem - How coaching wor...

Suzanne talks to William Redpath, Director of Manabu Learning & Chapter Lead with Grow Remote Ireland. They chat around the rapid evolution & benefits that hybrid & remote working can bring to employers, employees & communities as well as the effects of changing flexible workplace industry as a whole. Here are some of the topics discussed: Learning & development, realising pote...

Suzanne talks to Joanne Mangan, Employer's Lead with Grow Remote. We look at the solutions that hybrid & remote working can bring to employers, employees & communities as well as the flexible workplace industry as a whole. Originally founded in 2018, the ethos of Grow Remote is about enabling people to live and work wherever best suits them and for communities across Ireland to become more...

Suzanne talks to Alison Matthews founder of the award winning Virtuali Alison is a whizz at helping entrepreneurs automate processes around running course / events (online / face to face) to be a virtual set of hands, eyes & ears. She understands the complexities of running a business, juggling all the hats and getting swamped IN the business rather than having the time to work ON it and the t...

Suzanne talks to freelance catalyst, Carol Conway of www.freelancecatalyst.com Carol’s a lifelong Behavioural Scientist with a passion in human dynamics and a deep belief in people. She has worked with CEOs, management teams and Boards of numerous organisations, much of this being in the voluntary and community sector and on given day that can include training, facilitation, leadership development...