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Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

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Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#41

Post by gargs »

lowercased wrote: post #38
gargs wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have thought about starting a little website where people open up their living rooms every once in a while to create an ad-hoc coworking space. It could even be the kitchen or the dining table, as long as you're sharing ideas, learning, and getting to know what other people are working on. From a business perspective, I'd rather make use of the plentiful libraries in Amsterdam than pay for a coworking space.

I think that was the idea behind http://www.workatjelly.com

Yeah I saw them, but it seems like it's just a directory to Facebook pages that needs to be updated by sending an email. I think there's a good business case to make a nice website and app that would afford people a coworking space-like luxury, but at rather ad-hoc and personal locations.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#42

Post by jotm »

spurdoman77 wrote: post #15
steve1977 wrote: post #5

The primary reason why I would want to be a freelancer is because I DON'T crave company.

Have you tried freelancing alone, and of you have for how long? After working at a company, initially it felt quite nice but after some months/years I started feeling different. I have been working intensively at a companies, and then as a freelancer/solopreneur, alternating both modes along the years. Currently working mostly alone I have to admit that I crave the workplace - kind of the place where you go work and…

Yeah, pretty much. I like working alone. But I like working with co-workers, too. I've done both, and I'd say that ideally, I'd do two weeks solo, two weeks in a workplace, or something like that. Too much of either is not good...

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#43

Post by jackcosgrove »

ivanhoe wrote: post #34

I thought that these type of arguments are stupid, like why would I need to hang out with people in an office, I've got my buddies for that after work. Later I moved to another country where I knew no one beside my wife, and then I realized that mingling with office crowd is actually the easiest way to expand your social circle when you're in a new environment. Yes, you can do that on conferences or in a gym or clubs…

Even if you don't talk to others, being around people is very comforting. It meets a basic need we have as humans.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#44

Post by itsEtai »

gargs wrote: post #37
LeonM wrote: post #27

I'm in a co-working space, and the primary reason I took it was loneliness. But I think that, for me, a social app wouldn't be able to replace a physical work space. It's not just the interaction with co-workers, but also the separation of work and home. The routine of riding my bike to and from the office is like a mental barrier, helping me to switch between work and leisure. By going to my office, I effectively sw…

I have thought about starting a little website where people open up their living rooms every once in a while to create an ad-hoc coworking space. It could even be the kitchen or the dining table, as long as you're sharing ideas, learning, and getting to know what other people are working on. From a business perspective, I'd rather make use of the plentiful libraries in Amsterdam than pay for a coworking space.

Safety becomes a big issue for this kind of thing. It might make sense to start by leverage a platform like couchsurfing which has a personal review system.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#45

Post by em-bee »

spottybanana wrote: post #19
foldr wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you have such a big issue with doing someone a small favor? It really greases the wheels of society a bit if people help each other out in small ways.

I've never had any problems if someone else asks me to watch their belongings in coffee shop etc. Doesn't really disturb me at all.

it's disturbing when you are thinking about maybe leaving, or waiting for someone and then you need to leave right away but now you are committed to stay.

otherwise, i watch others stuff instinctively even without bring asked. like neighborhood watch. you just keep an eye out for each other.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#46

Post by postsantum »

bitL wrote: post #16
spurdoman77 wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you tried freelancing alone, and of you have for how long? After working at a company, initially it felt quite nice but after some months/years I started feeling different. I have been working intensively at a companies, and then as a freelancer/solopreneur, alternating both modes along the years. Currently working mostly alone I have to admit that I crave the workplace - kind of the place where you go work and…

Throw parties at home when you feel lonely. Invite guests from various industries/walks of life. That would fulfill your social needs, make you more pleasant to be around, get that out of your system and allow you to focus 100% on your mission without wondering what if...

Right, if someone doesn't have many friends to talk to, why wouldn't they throw a party and invite all zero of them

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#48

Post by chasd00 »

LeonM wrote: post #27

I'm in a co-working space, and the primary reason I took it was loneliness. But I think that, for me, a social app wouldn't be able to replace a physical work space. It's not just the interaction with co-workers, but also the separation of work and home. The routine of riding my bike to and from the office is like a mental barrier, helping me to switch between work and leisure. By going to my office, I effectively sw…

i work from home and get a "day pass" at a coworking spot from time to time (Common Desk in Dallas). After a while, wfh feels like being on house arrest.

I head over to the co-working location for the commotion and activity honestly. Everyone is still working and so it's not like a social event but I need to be around other humans while at work from time to time.

Plus, one time I met these kids (likely right out of college) working on a IOT weather station. They had a few customers and we're working on their hardware at Common Desk. I chatted with them and gave them some biz pointers and some contacts from my network. I got a real kick out of that.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#49

Post by noirbot »

coldpie wrote: post #39
Noughmad wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Partially, but for those there's another catch. They have the campuses with game rooms, food, daycare, etc. all in order for you to spend as much time there as possible. They are literally building company towns.

I visited a major company once, a relatively large company you've all heard of. Went to the bathroom and oh, that's neat, they have toothbrushes and shaving kits and stuff for employees. A couple minutes later it clicked: oh they have those there for when you spend all-nighters. Oh no no no. I'll stick to my small company 9-5 gig, thanks.

I can't speak to that company's motivations, but my current position has similar amenities (showers with soap, basic toiletries in the bathroom, food/drinks readily available) and I don't think anyone here's been pulling any all-nighters. They're mostly used by folks who bike in to work in the morning and need to clean up, or get something stuck in their teeth after lunch.

It could all be some malicious plot for when the 24-hour work days hit in a few months, or it could just be a nice and relatively cheap benefit that helps people out? I know there's plenty of times I realize I have to present at a meeting and I'd feel much better if I could make sure I was well-groomed before it.

It's not hard to make almost any action a company makes into evidence of brutal malice, but that doesn't mean it's always true.

Re: Startups bet that lonely freelancers crave company

#50

Post by gargs »

itsEtai wrote: post #44
gargs wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have thought about starting a little website where people open up their living rooms every once in a while to create an ad-hoc coworking space. It could even be the kitchen or the dining table, as long as you're sharing ideas, learning, and getting to know what other people are working on. From a business perspective, I'd rather make use of the plentiful libraries in Amsterdam than pay for a coworking space.

Safety becomes a big issue for this kind of thing. It might make sense to start by leverage a platform like couchsurfing which has a personal review system.

Good point; I think it would initially involve some personal vetting as well as starting at a local level. This could be made part of the listing process where the only way to get verified as a member is to allow a designated photographer if you're hosting, and some kind of social proof (LinkedIn?) if you're looking for a space. I think this is a bigger concern in remote towns and the countryside, though. For a city like Amsterdam, safety might not be that big of an issue.
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