As the contemporary workplace continues to diversify and expand into previously untrodden territory, the popularity of coworking has skyrocketed. Coworking is a collaborative work style in which people who are self-employed or working for other employers share a work space to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, making it popular among individuals who crave a work environment that goes above and beyond the stereotypically drab office.

While the members of a coworking space don’t necessarily do the same job, they are bonded by the desire to enrich their work by sharing knowledge with others. Coworking spaces such as WeWork and Knotel, although revolutionary and productive, aren’t for everyone. So who are the target customers for these spaces? We’re here to tell you.

Better than a Coffee Shop

If you’ve ever found yourself doing some of your best work in a coffee shop, surrounded by ferociously typing individuals working on miscellaneous projects, then a coworking space could be the exact place for you. The difference is coworking spaces are actually made to foster this kind of collaborative work environment, while a coffee shop is a less than ideal substitute for this kind of situation. The types of customers who gravitate toward coworking spaces eschew the traditional drawbacks of a stuffy office for a diverse work environment that provides inspiration and creative motivation.

An Entrepreneur’s Paradise

Entrepreneurs comprise a large portion of the people who opt for coworking space businesses for a few different reasons. Entrepreneurs often exemplify the dogged, go-getter spirit of today’s workforce and prefer a work environment far from traditional. From a financial perspective, coworking spaces are ideal for entrepreneurs looking to minimize the upfront costs of renting a space because they can be rented month to month without commitments. In addition, due to coworking space rentals functioning like club memberships, it’s simple to grow teams quickly and spontaneously, which is often necessary for an entrepreneur.

Freelancers

Many have caught on to the advantages of freelancing in our current work landscape—flexibility with work hours, tax benefits, being your own boss—and statistics indicate that by 2020 about 40% of workers in the United States will be self-employed. However, being your own boss can be isolating and difficult at times, as there aren’t people around you to motivate your mission. In a coworking space, freelancers can reap all the benefits of self-employment while harnessing the energy of others in the office.

Remote Workers and Telecommuters

A considerable portion of workers in today’s world are remote workers or telecommuters, meaning they work outside the office in various locations such as coffee shops, at home, or in libraries. Coworking spaces can be a great fit for these individuals who don’t have daily face-to-face contact with their employers but crave a more uplifting work environment that inspires them to deliver everyday. While the telecommuter may be working on a project that no one else in the office is involved in, the fact that there are individuals present and working diligently can be enough to take the work of telecommuters to the next level.

Those Who Crave Change

While coworking spaces may be the most ideal for entrepreneurs and freelancers, these offices can ultimately accommodate anyone who craves ostensible change in their work environments. Our jobs take up a huge portion of our lives, so it’s in our best interest to enhance this daily experience as much as we can. Coworking spaces foster inspiring and flexible work environments that are motivating people to be better at their jobs and share their knowledge.