In this interview episode of the This Week in Coworking Podcast, Hector Kolonas chats with Flip Howard, a veteran in the coworking industry who is owner of Lucid Private Offices. The conversation spans Flip's almost quarter century long journey, beginning with acquiring Meridian Business Centers in 2001, through several rebrands, and evolving business models. Flip shares insights into the industry's past and future, from fax machines and T1 internet lines to virtual offices and hybrid memberships. He discusses Lucid's strategic shift to emphasize private offices, maintaining a customer-centric approach, and their resistance to management agreements in favor of traditional leases. The discussion also delves into operational philosophies, like treating team members well and focusing on unit economics for business longevity. The episode concludes with thoughts on the future of coworking, touching on e-commerce integration and the importance of maintaining a balance between personal and professional lives.00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:51 Flip Howard's Journey into Coworking01:37 Evolution of Office Space and Services03:34 Rebranding to Lucid Private Offices04:15 Current Offerings and Demographics06:05 Changes in Business Models and Revenue Streams10:07 The Importance of Physical Office Space15:46 Team Dynamics and Employee Retention18:01 Employer-Employee Relationship Dynamics18:26 Leadership Style and Employee Satisfaction20:17 Lucid's Business Model and Leasing Strategy21:43 Management Agreements vs. Leases24:42 Expansion Plans and New Markets25:42 Technological Shifts in Coworking26:56 Virtual Offices and New Product Trends28:26 Core Principles and Company Rebranding30:50 Advice for Building a Lasting Business33:18 Final Thoughts and Personal Insights

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