ThriveCo Founders Katie and Alex Silversmith Explain Why a Virtual Office Can Benefit Your Business

“There’s a demand for flexible office space, especially now.”

— Katie & Alex Silversmith

From their vantage point, coworking looks a little different post-COVID. Companies have realized that working from home is more doable than they previously imagined. Some workers are taking hobbies and freelancing gigs out of leisure time and into new, full-time businesses. And, while many freelancers enjoy being able to do business wherever and however they like, they still want a community—AND a place to go. 

That's why the founders of ThriveCo think that coworking spaces and virtual office solutions are on an upward trend.

A Post-COVID World Requires Virtual Solutions 

At ThriveCo, community is at the heart of every decision Katie and Alex make. They don't believe that freelancers and entrepreneurs should have to do everything alone. In fact, Katie encourages her members to "use your contacts, your network, and your community." 

At ThriveCo, that community exists to help entrepreneurs innovate and grow in today's challenging environment. 

According to Katie and Alex, these shifts in the coworking field may be permanent. Here's why: 

• Businesses don't want to spend the overhead to maintain a permanent office when remote work is not only possible, but desirable. 

• Businesses want a presence in more locations—near where their employees work and live—at an affordable price. 

• Freelancers are more prominent in today's environment, and they are looking for support that suits their unique way of working. 

Entrepreneurs of all shapes and sizes crave community and support from others in the business community. ThriveCo provides that.

So, What is a Virtual Office? 

A virtual office gives individuals and teams the freedom to work anywhere they like, plus access to an office and community when they need it, providing a stable physical mailing address and full office amenities. A virtual office can be particularly helpful for freelancers and entrepreneurs because they gain an office space without the costly overhead of a lease. A ThriveCo virtual office includes: 

• A prestigious physical mailing address (not a P.O. box) for business mail and a Google listing

• Mail retrieval and forwarding services

• Access to discounted hourly office and meeting room rentals

• Access to add-on phone answering and a virtual receptionist service, made possible through a partnership with ThriveCo member, The SAVA Group

• Access to other office amenities and services

ThriveCo Offers Solutions Custom Designed for Today's Remote Workers 

Founders Alex and Katie believe that ThriveCo is uniquely positioned to support small businesses during this time. That's because their business model is centered around providing things entrepreneurs and freelancers need in the St. Louis area: flexibility, community, and access—elements that have never been more important than they are right now. 

ThriveCo offers a one-stop shop for everything entrepreneurs need to grow their business. They also host regular events that are designed to help companies grow, network, and learn new skills. 

In today's quickly changing environment, remote workers can bring their visions to life with the support that ThriveCo provides to the St. Louis community. 

Learn more about ThriveCo's virtual office solution and their mission to help businesses in St. Louis thrive or schedule a tour today.

ThriveCo is Dedicated to Supporting the St. Louis Business Community

We believe that a sense of community is key to St. Louis' success. In our vision for this region, we see a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming entrepreneurial ecosystem. It's our mission at ThriveCo to support and uplift our community with access to office space and tools business owners need. 

Despite the Challenges of the Pandemic, St. Louis is Still Highly Ranked for Entrepreneurs

Since the early 2010s, St. Louis has been recognized as an exciting scene for startups and entrepreneurs. Recently, our city was listed among the top 10 best cities for remote workers. 

"Being an entrepreneur in St. Louis right now reminds me of what it felt like to be an entrepreneur in Silicon Alley in New York in the mid 1990s," says Andrew Smith of the St. Louis Regional Chamber." The sense of community, the momentum, the breadth of opportunity--it's really just a great place to be." 

Despite the economic pain brought about by a worldwide pandemic, we're still fighting. As one of the metropolitan areas in our country trying to establish a better, more equitable economy for its citizens, St. Louis continues to receive acclaim. And it's easy to see why! 

St. Louis is affordable, with a lower cost of living than any city you'd find on the coast. We're also family-friendly and we offer plenty of green spaces, including our very own Forest Park. With NGA and other big firms investing in the area, we're well-positioned to move forward in the roaring 2020s. If you're looking for an affordable location that's abuzz with creative energy, we've got it. 

There's No "Going Back to Normal" Post-Pandemic

Social distancing has become a normal feature of coworking in 2020 and 2021.

There's no question that the world has changed. The norms that once tied us to cubicles and desktops are slipping away, and increasingly, employees work remotely. Side gigs are becoming businesses and freelancers are taking their expertise into consulting. From where we stand, there's no better time to embark on a new career. 

We believe that the field of coworking will look very different over the next few years, as more companies realize that what they considered essential before--like a brick-and-mortar office space and a long-term lease--isn't all that necessary after all. 

What is still necessary, however, is a sense of community. As an entrepreneur or freelancer, embarking on a fresh new path, you still need a place to go where you can see friends and get advice from fellow business owners. 

Our Advice to Entrepreneurs Begins and Ends with Community

We encourage the entrepreneurs we work with to find their tribe. There's no need to do it all alone when there's a network and a built-in startup community available! Now is NOT a bad time to start a new business. On the contrary, we're convinced that entrepreneurs are well-positioned, at this very moment, to innovate and make change. Under pressure, entrepreneurs often thrive. They're problem-solvers; we are, too. And we're proud to offer workers the tools and space they need as you make a fresh start.  

We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to have a thriving business. There may be a scarcity of resources and support in other parts of the country, but not here. At ThriveCo, we offer one of the best and most inclusive support systems in St. Louis. We value individuals of all races, ethnicities, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, religions and socio-economic statuses in their endeavors. We require that our space is a place of respect and appreciation for all people. In our view, there isn't enough of that in our world, and we're committed to being the change we want to see. 

At ThriveCo, we're dedicated to doing our part to keep St. Louis on the map as a welcoming place for startups and remote workers. Contact us to join our community.

5 Reasons You Need a Virtual Office for Your Work-From-Home Business

Connection in 2020 and 2021 sometimes means going virtual.

There's no doubt that COVID-19, with its lock-downs and uncertainties, has taken a toll on small businesses. While there's promising news about COVID-19 vaccines, businesses shouldn't expect normalcy until the 2nd quarter of 2021. By the end of this year, 1 in 5 businesses are expected to close as a result of the pandemic. 

Those are sobering statistics, no matter where you do business. But at ThriveCo, we still feel hopeful. Maybe it's because not one of our member companies has closed! While we can't take full credit for that success rate, we can verify that our members are driven. They're working hard through this difficult time and pivoting like crazy. 

Based on our membership, we should have seen 20 of our friends go under, but we haven't, and we don't anticipate losing a single one! Our goal is to continue providing access to the things that help modern businesses stay afloat.

Working From Home? Consider a Virtual Office for Security,  Access & More

If you are working from home as a freelancer, an entrepreneur, or as part of a team, you can benefit from a ThriveCo Virtual Office. What a virtual office does, essentially, is give you a business hub, with every tool your business may need, that you can access wherever you are. A virtual office provides convenience, safety, cost savings, and a lot more.  

5 Ways YOUR Business Can Benefit from a Virtual Office 

Here are just 5 reasons to consider this solution for YOUR business.

(1) A virtual office gives you an extra layer of legal protection and safety. 

If you use your home address for business, you're taking a risk. After all, you wouldn't want strangers coming to your door, just as you wouldn't want your personal finances mistaken for your business finances. Maintaining a separation between your home and your business is simply a good practice. [Katie's clip]

(2) You gain a physical address you can use for Google My Business.  

To  maximize your online presence, you need certain things: a website, a LinkedIn account, and a Google My Business account. For a Google My Business account, however, you need more than a P.O. Box. You need an actual, physical address. 

(3) You have the benefit of a prestigious address in a known business hub. 

Why not make your business address count by locating it in a known business hub! At ThriveCo, you get the privilege of using a Clayton address, which prospects in the area will recognize. 

(4) A virtual office is convenient in case you relocate. 

Maintain consistency with a business address that travels with you, no matter where you lay your head at night. 

(5) You have access to meeting rooms when you need them—and more. 

If you need a room to meet prospects, clients, or business partners, you have one at ThriveCo. You also have access to office services and equipment, which can save you time and money.

ThriveCo Supports Entrepreneurs and Employees, No Matter Where They Work

At ThriveCo, we believe in the power of community. We offer our members professional development and networking events, along with all of the services and amenities a modern worker needs.

We know you can succeed in this tough business environment. We think the ThriveCo community can help. Call for more information today.