In this conversation, Ashley Proctor and I we talk about the difference between the coworking industry and the coworking movement. There are a number of things that stood out for me in this episode.

Build something for community larger than you. Build something for people.
Ashley points out that she is driven to build things for people. Essentially, that is the difference between coworking the industry and coworking the movement. The industry focuses on the Real Estate play while the movement focus on the people. For the movement, it is not about the space, it about the people. What drives Ashley is building something bigger than herself and building something for people. Building something for a larger community.

Work towards dismantling loneliness, accelerating serendipity, and making meaningful human connections.
For Ashley, Coworking firstly a verb. It is a shared office space for people who work independently or remotely. It is about having the freedom to choose where and when you working. Ashley gets a lot of meaning from her work because its not about subdividing space, it is about people. Focus on the mission or purpose of what you are doing, and it will help you build great things. She things of building spaces like planting a flag where people can meet connect and build the future.

Surround yourself with people who care about you have your success in mind.
At the heart of building coworking spaces is building a community where you surround yourself with people want you do well, people want you to be the best, they want you to be strong.

Instead of saying no, show people what you are building.
I asked Ashley about how they say no, when curating communities. Ashley pointed out that sometimes you do not need to say no. Let people self-select. Show them the space, explain what you are trying to build and if it works for them, they will opt-in.

You build big things one tiny step at a time.
When you are trying to build something that people think is impossible you do it one step at time. Focus on putting one tiny piece after another and rally more people together. Bring people together to build the future with you.

When bad things happen to you separate what happened from your identity.
An event or misfortune does not thing does not define you.
I found this to be a very profound reminder and I have seen many people struggle to not let bad things define them. It is a very privileged things to say but it is important that we not let misfortune consume us and define who we are.

You can reach Ashley and learn more about all of her projects (including COHIP and GCUC Canada) by visiting her website www.CreativeBlueprint.ca
You can learn more about the 312 Main project by visiting www.312Main.ca