New Manly co-working space rolls out the perks for start-ups – StartupSmart

A start-up co-working space in the Sydney beachside suburb of Manly has denied it is “dangling a carrot” for members despite sweetening its offer with non-work perks, such as kayaking and yoga.

 

Avis Mulhall, along with friend Dane Murray, is the driving force behind a new unnamed co-working space in the Manly, a beachside suburb in Sydney. Mulhall is the co-founder of social start-up mmMule.

 

“[We] were over in Manly and we just walked past the building, which is right on the water. We said to each other, ‘Can you imagine working there every day? We’d get the most creative work done’,” Mulhall says.

 

“The building was for sale. We said we’d approach the agent and got in touch with them. We put together a proposal and they really liked the idea.”

 

“We’re at the stage where we’re still negotiating.”

 

At this stage, it’s unknown whether the co-working space will be spread over one or both of the building’s two floors. Mulhall says a decision should be made by the end of the month.

 

“We’re initially looking at taking the top floor, with 10 permanent desks and four to six drop-in desks. We’re still exploring. Hopefully it pulls off,” she says.

 

According to Mulhall, the waterfront building will include space for collaborative co-working, limited resident accommodation, a full kitchen and even a resident chef.

 

It will be aimed at social entrepreneurs and creatives working on new start-ups, which “aim to make a positive impact on the world”.

 

“Work Play Create is the theme of the space, which will include paddleboards, kayaks, leisure equipment and yoga classes along with an organic garden and community arts projects,” Mulhall says.

 

As co-working spaces continue to pop up nationwide, incentives to join them are becoming increasingly generous.

 

For example, Electron Workshop offers members discounted car-sharing rates through a partnership with Flexicar, while House of Commons includes a Playstation and table tennis.

 

But Mulhall insists the perks on offer at her co-working space are “not about dangling a carrot”.

 

“Everyone who works for themselves is incredibly driven… I think when you work in [a traditional working environment], you really want to get home,” she says.

 

“You won’t have that sensation [in this space] because you can go and have that swim before work. It’s about incorporating it into your world as opposed to it being a distraction.”

 

“It will target a very particular sort of individual… I keep meeting people like me – creative and focused on social change. But a lot of spaces are focused on tech start-ups.”

 

“[This co-working space is] about building a community of like-minded people who are similar to us.”