There is a lot going on inside the Broadway Market above QFC, it turns out. Tucked in a little nook on the second floor of the Capitol Hill shopping center, sits a casual coworking space run by Rob Nicolai. Inside, visitors will find a large cozy green sofa, 16 desks, a conference room and a kitchen. On certain days, they might even be greeted by a friendly dog or two.
Nicolai founded the space known as My Branch Office nearly four years ago. After relocating last year, the business has settled into its new location.
Like other coworking spaces in the area, My Branch Office aims to give members more out of their workday and workspace.
“Coworking is a person’s purposeful decision to not work in isolation,” Nicolai said. “It’s a community of people.”
He added that the space allows members to socialize and network with others. Some even find potential business opportunities with other members. Several surveys have shown that coworking also leads to more productivity than the alternatives: working in a home office or coffee shop.
The location inside of Broadway Market only adds to the business’s amenities. Members can take advantage of a discount at Pacific Northwest Fitness, stop by QFC for lunch or get a massage next door at Massage Envy when they need to decompress. They also have access to discounted monthly parking in the same building, which is especially beneficial for members who live nearby.
Nicolai’s members have 24/7 access to the building and can come and go as they please. Though, Nicolai said his current members tend to work more conventional hours, which helps create a great sense of community. After all, that’s what it’s all about.
Members often grab lunch together, bounce ideas off one another and join each other for drinks after a long (or short) day in the office. Nicolai said his space is smaller and more casual than most coworking offices in the area, but it is perfect for him and his members.
“I love the diversity of the members,” he said. My Branch Office has had members in a variety of professional fields including sports analytics, graphic design, marketing, and urban planning.
Nicolai likes to start new members with a one week trial period. From there, members pay by the month. It’s a formula designed as much for the community as the new coworker.
“One person can make it really hard on everyone,” he said. “It’s really critical to have a good personality fit.”
Fortunately, he said he has had good luck so far, adding that most of the people drawn to coworking tend to have similar views.
For more information about My Branch Office, visit mybranchoffice.net.
