Better Together - Appreciating Our Community on International Coworking Day

Dear Huddlers,

Happy International Coworking Day! Today, as we come together to celebrate our shared passion for collaboration and networking, we wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Your presence and dedication have made our Coworking space more than just a workplace – it has become a space for support, innovation, and friendship.

We love our job, and it's all because of you. Your diversity, creativity, and unique perspectives have transformed this space into something truly extraordinary. We see how each of you bring your best selves to work every day (whether dressed in a 3 piece suit or not ), and that constant drive for improvement inspires us to do the same.

In this spirit of honesty and openness, we want to acknowledge that, like any community, we face our fair share of challenges; this is where your feedback, contributions and insights are invaluable in shaping this space into one that serves the needs of everyone. Because that's the beauty of Coworking – we learn and grow together. Together, we can overcome any obstacle and create a space that is truly remarkable.

To foster an even more inclusive community, we encourage everyone to engage actively with one another. Say hello to your fellow coworkers, strike up conversations, and build those connections that can lead to exciting collaborations. We have great people here, from Ianiv and Bien always ready to share their experiences, Ogo Tawa contributing small appliances to the kitchen, Francesco having lunch daily in the kitchen and happy to say hello, Justin facilitating tours with his clients, Omniya taking charge of the dishwasher, Melissa and Kaylah with their smiles and pick-me-up vibes; I wish we could list you all and the ways your contributions make a difference every day to us. Let's continue to make this a haven for creativity, mutual support, and shared success.

On this special day, let's celebrate the accomplishments we've achieved together. From the successful projects and meaningful partnerships to the spontaneous coffee breaks, ice cream trucks and counselling in the front office when needed, each moment has shaped our community into what it is today – a place we are proud to call our second home.

As we move forward, let's be proactive in addressing any challenges that come our way. Let's communicate openly and constructively, respecting each others boundaries and viewpoints. We firmly believe that our strength lies in unity, and with everyone's contribution, we can create an even more vibrant and nurturing Coworking space.

In conclusion, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of this extraordinary journey. You, our dear Huddlers, are the lifeblood of this space, and your passion and dedication fuel our love for what we do. Together, let's continue to work hand in hand, supporting and encouraging each other, as we strive for progress and excellence.

Happy International Coworking Day!

With great appreciation,

Your Huddle Team

Beating WFH Burnout: Tips for a Happier, Healthier Workday

While working from home has become a necessity for many of us, it brings with it an array of challenges, including ensuring productivity and avoiding burnout. Burnout can be caused by several things, including lack of motivation, multi-tasking, and feeling overwhelmed. In this article, we look at some practical tips for overcoming feelings of burnout when working from home.

Streamline Your Tasks

One way to avoid burnout is to streamline tasks as much as possible. Breaking down tasks into smaller chunks makes them easier to manage and complete. Start by making a list of tasks that need to be completed each day. Then, prioritize those tasks so that you know which ones should be completed first. In addition, do your tasks in batches so that you can complete similar tasks in one go rather than jumping between different types of activities all day long.

Don't Try to Multitask

As you streamline your tasks, make sure you're not taking on too many at once. Avoiding multitasking is especially important for entrepreneurs who are often tempted to wear many hats at once. While multitasking may seem like an efficient way to get a lot done quickly, it actually leads to less productivity due to switching focus too often. Instead, focus on one task at a time and set reasonable goals for yourself each day so that you don’t feel overwhelmed during the workday.

Take Breaks From the Screen

Taking breaks away from technology is essential for avoiding burnout when working from home because it allows your mind and body the opportunity to rest and recharge without being inundated with distractions from the outside world. Take walks without your phone or go for a bike ride or hike in nature — this can clear your mind and boost creativity. Other ideas include reading books or magazines or picking up hobbies such as cooking or gardening. Not only can this be beneficial for your mental health, but it can also help you improve your physical wellness and sleep quality.

Refocus Negativity

Reframing negative thoughts is key when trying to avoid burnout, as it helps create healthier thought patterns which ultimately lead to better mental health over time. Whenever you catch yourself thinking negatively, try reframing the thought into something more positive. This might mean simply shifting your perspective towards something more optimistic, even if the situation isn’t ideal right now. Additionally, ensure that you are taking care of yourself mentally by talking through difficult emotions with someone else and seeking help whenever needed. Remember, we can only do our best given our circumstances at any given moment in time.

Learn How to Manage Stress

Learning stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises can also be very helpful as you navigate new situations. Having the skills to navigate overwhelming feelings will come in handy. Staying organized can help immensely. Think about any triggers you may have where stress is concerned so you can create a plan to manage those feelings when they occur.

Try Meditation for Stress

At its core, meditation involves focusing on breathing while letting go of any distractions around us, such as technology or worrisome thoughts. In short, it's simply about being mindful in any given moment. Practicing meditation can reduce stress levels by helping us stay grounded, allowing us time away from whatever worries we may have about work or life in general. Try meditation at home first, setting up a quiet area to focus. The more you practice, the easier it will be for you to practice meditation anywhere, which is helpful when you find yourself in stressful situations outside the home.

Declutter Your Workspace

Creating a workspace that's free of clutter can have a dramatic effect on how productive we are during work hours since it eliminates distractions. This applies to both physical items (paperwork stacked up, office tools lying scattered about) and also digital ones (having multiple tabs open). Additionally, ensuring that the workspace radiates positive energy evoked by things like plants and artwork can help you enjoy the workspace more.

Assess your workspace with a keen eye and think about which items you truly need and which ones you can do without. Utilize storage solutions to keep things neat, especially if your workspace is small. It can also help to set aside five or 10 minutes each day to work on tidying up and resetting your area so you can jump into your tasks first thing in the morning. You can also look for more comfortable furniture, such as an ergonomic chair that offers back support or a footrest that can be placed under your desk. Making your workspace more comfortable can help boost your enjoyment of the work you do.

Consider Using a Shared Workspace                                                                     

Having peers nearby who understand how challenging work/life balance can be while working remotely can be beneficial in combating burnout. Our shared workspace at Huddle Sharespace is a great way to foster communication between those within similar fields while also providing invaluable networking opportunities. What's more, the security of knowing that other co-workers can be called upon in times of need is incredibly reassuring. Remote positions often come with anxiety around job loss, but working out of shared spaces eliminates this worry and reduces the risk of burnout caused by "remote fatigue."

Working from home can be advantageous, but it is also important to take steps to prevent burnout. Finding a comfortable workspace, setting boundaries between work and personal life, and being mindful of your mental health are all essential to managing burnout when working from home. It’s always helpful to have support systems available, such as friends and family, a trusted therapist, or peers in a shared workspace. With these tips in mind, you can manage your stress levels and achieve an effective balance between productivity and self-care while working remotely.

To try our shared space with a complimentary day pass, click the link here

Guest Blogger: Camille Johnson

Old-School Marketing Can ‘Spring’ Your Business Forward this season (and Beyond!)

Guest Blog Author: Sheila Johnson

Marketing is a constant challenge. Getting your name out there while standing out from the crowd — and doing so within budget — is a hurdle almost every business owner has had to jump at some point. You may be tempted to only look at today's "latest and greatest" marketing methods, such as personalized social media ads, email campaigns, and text messages. These evolving techniques have proven their effectiveness and are certainly worth your consideration.

However, there are plenty of traditional strategies that have stood the test of time and will propel your business forward. Now that we’re finally leaving winter, why not use these old-school marketing techniques to “spring” your business in the right direction as we head into warm weather and almost no Covid restrictions?

Flyers

Businesses that depend on local customers can benefit from using flyers. For a small cost, you can design, print, and post leaflets to raise awareness of your events and offers.

If you're designing flyers yourself, there are online design tools you can use, such as Google Docs, Canva, Libre Office, and Inkscape. Take time to think about a catchy slogan, keeping it simple and focusing on your target audience. Include what makes your brand special.

As you brainstorm promotions, consider free shipping, seasonal discounts, bundled products, or prepayment offers. According to experts, these are among customers' favorites.

Promotional Items

You can give out promotional items to customers who visit your business or attend trade shows, or you can sponsor a community event and distribute your items there.

Your logo can go on almost any product you can imagine, including:

• Shopping bags

• USB drives

• Drinkware

• Coolers

• Desk accessories

Direct Mail

Product catalogs and coupons still have their place in a marketing campaign. While a digital coupon is useful in conjunction with a smartphone, a printed voucher can end up on a customer's refrigerator, ready to be seen over and over again. Additionally, product catalogs are still popular. According to a study, 72% of responders said catalogs increased their interest in a company's products.

Old and New Techniques Combined

Traditional methods can work well on their own. You can also successfully combine them with a digital marketing strategy. Your flyers, for instance, can include a QR code that directs consumers to your website. Direct-mail pieces can include a promotional code for a product discount.

You can find professionals to help you reach your advertising goals, including marketing planners, graphic designers, and printers. When you send files to your marketing professionals, compressing your JPG files can make them easier to email. Keep in mind, though, that compressing a JPG may lower image quality. Try using a JPG-to-PDF converter instead to preserve file quality. This tool can also combine more than one JPG into a single PDF so that you won't need to send multiple images.

Other experts you can utilize to help you combine your traditional and digital campaign efforts include social media managers and content writers. To use influencers for your social media campaign, you may want to hire an influencer market agency. Look for influencer marketing agencies and others through online job platforms so that you can analyze rates and reviews.

The Best Ways To Reach Your Market

No matter what marketing strategies you use, it's always challenging to advertise to the people most likely to purchase your product. One way you can find your target market is to talk to current or potential customers. Ask them how they found your business and what made them shop there. The answers can help you decide where to focus your marketing endeavors.

Some advertising strategies have stood the test of time for a good reason: They work. Your next marketing campaign can incorporate old and new methods to help you reach your audience in effective ways.

If you want to network with other business owners in your area, consider signing up for a membership to Huddle Sharespace. Learn more about us by reading our FAQ.

The Winter Blues

It’s December and the time of year when we start thinking of the holidays, gift giving and festivities.  It’s supposed to be a happy, joyful, cheerful time, yet there are some of us who get SAD.  SAD is Seasonal Affective Disorder - a form of depression that affects us this time of year brought on by the shortened days and less sunlight.  Let’s get something straight - this is something different than the average “winter blues”. When a person struggles with SAD, they feel several symptoms from low mood, change in appetite, loss of interest to being unmotivated and disengaged.

 So what can help prevent or even better the effects? Of course, seek medical advice above all because the severity of your symptoms may vary from mild to extreme.  One thing’s for sure, nobody can argue that getting out in natures elements for just an hour a day, even sans sun is helpful. A balanced diet can never cause harm and light therapy (aka phototherapy).

 Now, here’s where I’m going with this! As opposed to working from home, working in a shared workspace has a different vibe. There’s a sense of community and belonging that you just can’t get from your kitchen table.  Working at home may seem appealing at first but the reality is it’s lonely and allows for little or no social interaction.  Simple habits such as getting up and dressed gives purpose to your day and provides many benefits.  

 At HUDDLE we offer gym access to our members, which will in turn help with SAD. Exercise and mood are directly linked. It’s been said that exercise can be as effective as medicine in some cases. When you exercise your body releases a rush of endorphins. All of our private offices and boardrooms have windows or skylights to let the sun shine in and our members lounge is large and airy – filled with plants that give you all the benefits of biophilia.

 At HUDDLE we allow for your business to thrive and you have the chance to collaborate with remote businesses, freelancers, entrepreneurs and other like minded people. Working among a wide variety of skills and attributes allows for a feeling of belonging and motivation. Our space is fresh, bright and allows for all your innovative ideas to flow. Another perk worth mentioning is our friendly and knowledgeable office manager.

 We’ve all had our share of anxiety and depression over the past 20 months with the Pandemic. All stigma’s aside- we were a lot happier post pandemic! SAD affects people of all ages and backgrounds. If we can provide you with a work space that will promote health, wellbeing and the sense of a stress free environment, then we’ve done our job here at HUDDLE. 

Written by guest blogger Barb Lorefice

International Coworking Day 2021

Today is the 16th celebration of International Coworking Day and there’s a lot to be happy about! We’re celebrating the changes that Coworking has brought about for start-ups, small businesses and even larger corporate companies, especially in the past year and a half.  Today is also a day to realize we are all part of something greater than ourselves.  Coworking is inclusive, diverse and flexible and it is the future of work.

 There’s a lot to celebrate! It’s not just about the physical spaces, it’s about a widespread movement. How people work in the modern world is changing. There’s no one strict definition of what coworking should be and that in itself is worth celebrating. Coworking is diverse, flexible and doesn’t fit into a neat box.

 Coworkers and associates are people that work with you at the same company.  Coworking, however, is a little bit different. A Coworking space is made up of smaller companies, gig workers, freelancers, entrepreneurs and even wfh employees that share the same space, but work in different industries and are independent of each other.  This is one of the best benefits of Coworking – exposure to people and professions that you would not have been exposed to when working from home, on your own or in a corporate environment.  Other benefits of Coworking can be:

 ·       Forming relationships / networking

·       Supportive environment

·       Flexibility

·       Reduce operational costs

·       Mental health, work-life balance

·       Daily structure

·       Business growth

·       Like-minded people

 Most Coworking spaces usually have a Community manager, who wears many hats on any given day.  At our space, our manager has her hats as well, but is most instrumental in bringing together all of our members to network, form relationships and support each other.  We believe Coworking is better together, where our members are part of a community that is basically an ecosystem that supports itself for business growth, referrals and even vendors and suppliers. 

 Today, for International Coworking Day we’ve celebrated with our members by having coffee, fresh fruit and warm Krispy Kreme donuts (yes, not the most healthy, but a somewhat balanced diet J)  If you’re not a member yet, feel free to contact our community manager for a tour and a chat at any time to become part of our ecosystem.   

My Venture Into Coworking

I used to think that working from home would be the most ideal situation.  I could relax, sleep late, not have to get dressed, no commuting and even work my own hours.  Shortly after I started working from home, I was exhausted and had no motivation to do anything; it was taking a huge toll on my mental health as well.  I craved routine, my own office, people to talk to, but most importantly I craved a space where I could be creative, and unfortunately, the dining table wasn't cutting it anymore.  I began to understand the importance of not only having a dedicated workspace separate from my home, but interacting with other people regularly. 

That's when I learned about Coworking spaces!  Coworking spaces are shared workspaces, which consist of people who work for a variety of companies or are self-employed. These spaces provide the infrastructure like Wi-Fi, coffee, utilities and an office manager to look after everything so that you don’t have to and can focus on what’s important – your work; whether that’s your own business or for your employer.  Coworking promotes community, collaboration, and at the same time individuality, so you get a chance to meet and network with some amazing people.

After a quick Google search, I found Huddle Sharespace – one of the few spaces in Scarborough and just a quick 15 minutes from my home in the east end. Bonus – parking is provided!  I booked a tour at Huddle and took them up on the offer of a free trial day.   I met Aleema who is the Community Manager and she toured me through the space while explaining the different membership options.  I was amazed at the space; it was not what I expected for an office space.  Filled with black accent walls, tables, workspaces, a chill kitchen, fitness room and printing stations, there were so many areas that I could utilize. I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere and the design of the space.

It didn't take me long to make a decision, and a few days later I asked Aleema to sign me up for a membership.  Huddle is such an awesome place to work and study. I've had the chance to meet great people who are all doing really neat things.  Just being in a space where I can still make connections while social distancing is amazing, and I'm grateful for the level of care that they take with all the required COVID protocols.

Having to travel to a space gives me the motivation to wake up and get dressed, it gives me something to look forward to. Although to a caffeine addict like myself, just the sound of free coffee and tea would be enough to get me signed up!  Oh, and did I mention that it's open 24/7?! That's what I love the most, I can come in at any time, any day, make myself coffee or dinner in the gorgeous kitchen, and leave when I want. Huddle is fully secured with cameras inside and out, so you never feel unsafe.

I truly wish I had known about Coworking spaces before, but it's never too late. It's a great option for freelancers, small business owners, students looking for a private office to study, or for the everyday person on the go who just needs a hot desk for a break from #wfh.  You can check out Huddle on the ‘Connect’ page and if you have any questions, give Aleema a call. She's extremely helpful, and will go above and beyond to make sure you have what you need to be successful.

PS. If you're ever at Huddle, you'll probably see me making a cup of coffee or working hard, but make sure to say hello, I would love to chat.

Minnie D.

https://www.minniesweetmiracles.com/

Work Near Home – The Next Best Thing!

In a 2019 study by Robert Half, over one third of professionals said they spend an average of 53 minutes commuting each day, and more than one quarter (26%) stated their travel time exceeds one hour.  The average commute time can skew even higher for major urban centres like Toronto.

Has the pandemic rendered the concern for escalating commute times a moot point as more and more professionals have worked from home over the last several months?  There are pros and cons to everything and the lack of commute has in many cases – introduced another source of stress and anxiety as professionals find it harder to disconnect from work as they are immersed in it from the time they roll out of bed to when they “end” their work day.  The commute often provided a distraction or opportunity to break away from the work day, listen to music, catch up on an audio-book or your favourite podcast. 

So how do we recapture the positive aspects of the daily commute without losing out on the time saved?  We’d like to propose the idea of working near home as a practical and productive way of getting out of the home while minimizing the travel time required to get to a healthy alternative to your dining room or bedroom office!  Taking advantage of the various coworking and private office spaces available throughout most major cities (and even in some rural areas) – professionals can explore the additional benefits that are part of working near home:

• Reduced loneliness and ability to modulate your desire to connect with others according to your comfort zone – no awkward “you have to get along with your coworkers just because they’re your coworkers”. A coworking space does promote connection and community but it occurs organically and out of sheer desire to want to thrive in the environment.

• The ability to network and meet others – there are countless opportunities to network outside of the immediate member network and expand your personal growth beyond work. Coworking spaces have long been the stomping ground of serial entrepreneurs and start-ups which can be a significant source of inspiration and motivation for those who hold a “day job.”

• Access to a professionally maintained space with often state of the art technology and enhanced services.

• Membership flexibility and tiered commitment – coworking spaces offer several types of memberships from a hot desk to a private office. Offices are often rentable by the hour providing for even greater flexibility and cost savings.

• Providing a back drop for a structured day that doesn’t overlap into your personal/home life – the lack of boundaries from personal to professional that occurs in a purely work from home arrangement can be intrusive and taxing on personal relationships.

• If you own/operate a small to mid size business with a traditional lease and more square footage than required then mobilizing your workforce and offering them the ability to work remotely (away from home) as needed can be a major attractor of new talent, as well as retainer of existing talent.

For those who have considered working near home – give your local coworking space a try.  You may be surprised how much you will enjoy the time away from home while maintaining your desired productivity. 

For more information on how Huddle Sharespace can help you achieve your work near home goals – contact us through email at info@huddlesharespace.com or by phone at 416-755-3353

A Scarborough Small Business that supports Small Business

The story of Huddle Sharespace is very much a local one. That is to say that the founders of Huddle Sharespace grew up in Scarborough, live in Scarborough and have established other thriving businesses in Scarborough. The idea was to create a facility that is rooted in Community and the archetype of an environment where local businesses can plant roots and thrive.

 Our vision statement is to strengthen Scarborough’s value proposition within Toronto as a centre of excellence and innovation.  We believe in Scarborough and are deeply committed to creating an ecosystem for talent to get noticed and for that talent to in turn inject opportunity back into the community through innovation and employment. Community is what we believe, separates us from our competitors and other office spaces. We strive to create working relationships, opportunities for our members, and collaborative opportunities to learn from one another.

 The Huddle building was built in the 1950's and housed a successful business for years, providing stability and employment to the working community. Today, the Huddle building continues to give back to the community through its development of affordable and collaborative workspace. We have 13,500 square feet of affordable private office space; communal work spaces, dedicated desks and professional boardrooms to host important and confidential meetings.

We are looking to attract innovative Scarborough businesses and start-ups by providing an environment where these businesses can truly grow and generate employment opportunities within the local community. Our investment is creating a back drop for professional and technical job creation through the support we want to provide to Scarborough based businesses.

To learn more about Huddle Sharespace or to book a tour – please contact us today.

It’s our anniversary!

One year ago we opened our doors to the public.  It has been a year filled with learnings on how to own and operate a Coworking space, how to pivot during a pandemic, how to create a community for and with, our members.  We’ve come through it all and reached this benchmark with the help of our business partners, families and members.  Thank you to everyone who has made this dream of bringing something new, innovative, and creative to Scarborough. 

The ownership of Huddle is made up of small business owners who wanted to give back and help other small business owners.  Scarborough at that time did not have a Coworking space and the partners saw a need that would support not only entrepreneurs, but cohorts from the surrounding college and university campuses and incubators.  After a lot of research, the design for a space with boardrooms, hot desks, dedicated desks and 28 private offices was born.  But it had to be better than just a utility, so we added a gym, a patio and made it ultra-contemporary with the matte black communal kitchen and the furnishings.   Then we took it one step further, and added options for VOIP and the ability to add VPN services per office and even host a members rack within our IT room and remotely connect to their external servers. 

We’ve been where you are and the support of others is invaluable, which is why we try to be as flexible and as personal as we can when you’re considering making our space the home of your business.  If we don’t already have it, we will do our best to make it possible.  Because it’s not just a business.  It’s your dreams, your passion and definitely all your hard work.

During these uncertain times, it’s even more important to help small businesses.  We can see how the companies that are here are starting to build and benefit from relationships with each other.  This support for each other inspires and nurtures entrepreneurship which inspires and facilitates more entrepreneurship. 

Let’s keep growing #bettertogether.  We look forward to being here for more years than we can count, and fostering entrepreneurs and startups and seeing how they’re going to change the world.