Why a Strong Coworking Community Still Matters More Than Ever with Jessica Knapp

The coworking community has always been about more than desks and office space. At its best, it creates opportunities, friendships, business partnerships, and life-changing connections. Few people understand that better than Jessica Knapp.

In this GCUC Podcast episode, Jessica reflected on her journey from New Zealand to Los Angeles, her early days at NextSpace, her role as employee number one at OfficeRnD, and ultimately her decision to join the GCUC team. Along the way, she shared valuable lessons about entrepreneurship, technology, leadership, and the power of a strong coworking community.

How the Coworking Community Changed Jessica’s Life

Jessica didn’t originally plan to build a career in coworking. After moving from New Zealand to Los Angeles in her mid-twenties, she struggled to find her footing. Like many people relocating to a new city, she found it difficult to build meaningful relationships and establish a support system. 

That changed when she interviewed for a role at NextSpace.

As part of the interview process, Jessica spent a day inside the coworking space interacting with members. That moment became the foundation of her career and highlighted one of coworking’s greatest strengths: fostering a sense of belonging. A thriving coworking community can help solve challenges that extend far beyond work, including professional isolation and social disconnection.

From Community Manager to Coworking Technology Pioneer

Jessica’s next chapter took her from coworking operations into technology. After her success at NextSpace, she joined OfficeRnD as employee number one. At the time, the company had limited runway, a small team, and an ambitious vision.

Working alongside the founders, Jessica helped introduce coworking management technology to operators across North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Her experience gave her a front-row seat to the industry’s evolution.

Why Technology Decisions Matter

One of Jessica’s key messages for operators is that technology decisions have long-term consequences.

Choosing the wrong systems can create friction for:

• Member onboarding
• Access control
• Meeting room bookings
• Wi-Fi management
• Billing and payments

Rather than adopting every new tool immediately, Jessica recommends understanding operational needs first and building a technology stack that supports the desired member experience. The best coworking technology should feel invisible to members while making operations easier for staff.

The Hidden Challenge Facing Many Coworking Operators

Throughout the conversation, Jessica kept returning to a common theme: many operators feel as though they are figuring everything out alone.

Running a coworking business requires expertise across multiple disciplines:

• Real estate
• Hospitality
• Community building
• Technology
• Finance
• Sales and marketing

That’s why maintaining a strong coworking community among operators is so important.

Whether it’s sharing vendor recommendations, discussing difficult member situations, or troubleshooting operational challenges, peer support can dramatically reduce the learning curve.

Building the Future of the Coworking Community

Today, Jessica works alongside Liz Elam at GCUC, supporting sponsors, partnerships, membership growth, and industry programming. One of the biggest takeaways from their conversation is that coworking works best when operators support one another.

That philosophy extends beyond conferences. Through GCUC Membership, operators can continue learning from peers facing similar challenges and opportunities.

For operators looking to make smarter decisions about technology, operations, and growth, Jessica will share her expertise during the upcoming GCUC Summer Series. Her session will cut through the noise surrounding coworking software, AI, and operational tools to help operators understand what’s actually worth the investment, what’s overhyped, and how to build a technology stack that fits their business today while preparing for tomorrow.

Whether you’re opening your first location or scaling across multiple spaces, you’ll walk away with practical guidance to save time, reduce costs, and improve the member experience.

Interested in learning directly from Jessica and other industry experts? Join the GCUC Summer Series and become part of a coworking community that supports your growth long after the conference ends.

And if Jessica’s story proves anything, it’s that one introduction, one event, or one community connection can completely change the trajectory of a career.

Listen & Connect

Connect with Jessica Knapp

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalouiseknapp/

Connect with Liz Elam
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam

GCUC Events
https://gcuc.co/coworking-events/

Watch the GCUC Podcast on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@GCUCPodcast/videos