Opening a Coworking Space: From Dream to Reality (and the Chaos in Between)
Six months ago, I embarked on this adventure full of enthusiasm, big plans, and a bit of naivety. I had this vision: a coworking space that ran itself, like an Airbnb but for remote workers. My role? Just decorate it, do some marketing, just show up and look pretty, and boom — success. Easy, right? Yeah… not quite.
The Dream Phase: Ignorance is Bliss
I genuinely thought, and foolishly believed the internet, that opening a coworking space was as simple as finding a place, setting up some desks, getting Wi-Fi, and watching people roll in with their laptops. I have a background in software engineering, I love hosting people, and I enjoy bringing communities together — so naturally, coworking felt like a perfect fit. I did some Googling (dangerous, in hindsight), and all the blogs made it sound so straightforward. Little did I know, I was about to get the full, unfiltered experience of running a business.
Reality Check #1: Bureaucracy is the Boss Level
The first real punch came from the Romanian government. Setting up a business as a total noob? Oh. My. God. The paperwork, the waiting, the confusion — the endless maze with no exit. Finding an accountant who could not only do the job but also have the patience to explain things in ‘Accounting for Dummies’ terms to me? Another struggle. Note to self: learning accounting from the internet is not the same as learning programming.
Reality Check #2: Renovation is Not Instagram
Once the paperwork nightmare was somewhat sorted, it was time to make the space look good — on a budget. I had visions of sleek, modern coworking vibes, inspired by all those aesthetically pleasing Instagram renovations. Guess what? Influencers don’t tell you the full story. Turns out, unless you have unlimited money or a construction crew on speed dial, it’s work.
I basically lived in the hardware store for two months. After work, I’d walk in all fancy, and the employees would rush over, assuming I was lost. But over time, they became my advisors, teaching me the unspoken wisdom of DIY fixes. Luckily, the men in my family stepped in to help with the heavy lifting, and my mom — who raised me to be a strong, independent woman — was there every step of the way. (Flexing my imaginary biceps here!)
Reality Check #3: Marketing is More Than Just Posting on Social Media
With the space finally set up, I was pumped to launch into marketing. The plan? Partnerships, social media, local outreach — it was all mapped out. The reality? Exhaustion hit like a truck. I had burned through so much energy by this point that when Google decided to randomly disable my Maps pin, I nearly lost it. Turns out, just because Google is free doesn’t mean they actually want to help small businesses.
Social media started off strong but quickly fizzled out — turns out, making consistent, engaging content when you’re running on fumes isn’t easy. And then there were the clients (or so I thought). Some people showed up just to chat and waste time, with zero intention of actually working. I learned the hard way that “potential client” and “random time-drainer” are not the same thing.
The Unexpected Battles: A Series of Unfortunate Events
As if things weren’t challenging enough, I found myself solving problems I never even imagined.
In an attempt to make the space cozy, I bought a bunch of plants — only for one pest-ridden troublemaker to go full-on botanical warfare, wiping out half my little green sanctuary. I spent what felt like an eternity treating and nursing them back to life, managing to save a few, but oh, the suffering. So much for my small budget and my dream of an urban jungle.
What else, my cleaning lady thought my silverware and cleaning supplies belonged in her pockets. There goes my trust in humanity. Heating that didn’t work but still racked up a bill. The internet technicians who needed a whole month and three teams to find the cable, it was the one I had been pointing to all along, and my carefully placed outdoor benches turning into a hotspot for noisy hobos — it was like a chaotic business bingo.
But the real grand finale? A surprise ceiling waterfall on a Sunday night. Cue the emergency plumber, frantic cleanup, and a soaking wet carpet that needed to be presentable by Monday morning. Talk about an unplanned renovation!
The Silver Lining: The Good Clients Make It Worth It
Despite the chaos, something beautiful happened: real clients. The kind who just wanted a nice place to work, who appreciated the effort I put in, and who even brought friends. Those moments — when someone returned for the second time or recommended the space to a friend — were enough to keep me going.
The Current State: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Am I at break-even yet? Nope. But do I still believe in what I’m building? Absolutely. This journey has been more exhausting, challenging, and unpredictable than I ever imagined. But it’s also been rewarding. I’ve learned resilience, patience, and the art of conserving energy while still moving forward. Even if it’s just one new client a month, the fact that they come back means something is working.
So, for anyone thinking about opening a business, be warned — you won’t have a dull moment! But, yum yum, the fun you’ll have. And if you ever find yourself in Cluj-Napoca, if you need a desk, or just want to say hi, drop by Kite Cowork. Whether you need a productive spot to work or a space for your next event, let’s make it happen!
