Community of Cultivators: Edition 47

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 to you from our friend across the pond, Gioia Mazzanti. Gioia joined The Downing Street Group in June 2019, opening their inaugural Coworking space, WorkCo, at the start of 2020. She is the Community Manager of the Downing Street Group neighbourhood EtobiCo. Gioia is responsible for managing the marketing strategies and implementation for WorkCo and the wider EtobiCo communities. With over a decade of experience in the hospitality and marketing industries, Gioia has great insight into what members want and need from their coworking spaces, and has the knowledge and skill to make these happen. Keep reading to hear what she had to say.

Where do you personally feel the most sense of community?

Our coworking space, WorkCo is an incredible community and I feel so proud of the community I work in. I have only been in Canada for 3 years and essentially started my life again after moving here from England. The community at our coworking space is so supportive, welcoming and is a great representation of the incredible humans there are in the world and how diverse Canada is and how accepting people are. It’s really great to see and be a part of.

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

Treat people how you want to be treated, it’s words we hear a lot and for me personally I always try and live my life this way. We can all have bad days and not be perfect, but try where you can to be as kind as possible as we’re all going through stuff. Little acts of kindness go a long way, I always say hello to every member that walks into the building, offer our couriers cups of coffee and smile at as many people as I can (even if I’m really not in the mood). These little acts build up and you can make someones day without even realizing it.

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

Just go for it! The hardest part of doing it is just starting and we can be our own worst critic. I’m a perfectionist which has prevented me at times from doing things because I’ve been so worried how I’d be perceived etc. But in reality, no one really cares (in the nicest of ways) and the only thing stopping you is you. So just do it, you’ll be

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

I’d love to get into meditation! It’s something I’ve tried to do a few times and never managed to stick at it but I felt the difference when I was meditating. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.