Community Of Cultivators: Edition 40

Here at GCUC we are immensely fortunate to cross paths and work with so many amazing people. Through our work, we’ve cultivated a global community of people we think you should know about.

Community of Cultivators is a blog series we created to introduce you to coworking game changers and connectors. Each month, we’ll release new interviews that we hope inform and inspire you.

This week’s interview is coming at you from one of our Canadian coworking members, Mark Eaton. Mark is the Founder of The Coworking Corner located in Cochrane Canada but fun little fact, he’s actually from Australia. Keep reading for more juicy tidbits about this community catalyst.

What in your life are you most proud of cultivating or creating? Why?

It is amazing to watch how our business community has developed and thrived with some of the groups I have been a part of. Our Chamber of Commerce and local Business Network play a big part in working with our more traditional businesses. The Coworking Community we kicked off in 2016 and subsequently our coworking space in 2018 have been places of nurturing, support and growth. Collaborations have formed, numerous connections built even an acquisition between members.

Where do you personally feel the most sense of community?

The in-person events we have held in the past, and will again present conditions allowing, is where I see member of our business community connecting with others in their industry as well as in unrelated (sometimes complimentary) industries.

What podcast would you recommend to others and why?

For flexible workspace operators, or anyone considering this there are several that offer different perspectives and content. Alex Hillman’s ’The Coworking Weekly Show’ is no longer updated, but a great sourced of community-focused content and insight. Jamie Russo produces ‘Everything Coworking’ with lots of actionable content for those getting started as well as those growing. Coworking with Iris pops up now and then with some gems of interviews with great guests. Of course, GCUC Radio with Liz Elam seems to have some of the big movers & shakers of the flexible workspace industry, sharing lots of high level insight and content.

What is one piece of advice you give everyone that works with and/or for you?

Get lots of opinions, from businesses that are in your industry, as well as those who will be your clients. Remain humble, ask questions and be a great listener.

If you had $500 to spend- what would you buy?

I would sign up for Donald Miller’s ‘Business Made Simple’ University. So much of what he teaches can have a big impact on my business and others.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming an entrepreneur?

Find a mentor, build a plan, get lots of feedback on the plan, don’t be scared to share your idea(s)…act on it, it may not be original, if you don’t launch the idea it will always remain just an idea.

What is the best habit you ever started? What habit do you want to start but haven’t yet?

Tracking daily activity with a smart watch, this motivates me to keep active and challenges me to keep increasing my goals.

If you had to put a quote on your gravestone what would it be?

Start with your MVP, then iterate, iterate, iterate!