{"id":87696,"date":"2025-07-31T06:29:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T11:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/?p=87696"},"modified":"2025-07-31T08:27:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T13:27:29","slug":"upskilling-organic-networking-relationships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/upskilling-organic-networking-relationships\/","title":{"rendered":"The Power of Organic Networking in Building Relationships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On an unseasonably warm March day in Minneapolis, I took my lunch to the rooftop deck of my coworking office, chasing blue skies and sun. Only one other person was up there\u2014Janahan Rajaratnam, who owns a software company called Valari Solutions. We\u2019d never spoken before, which wasn\u2019t unusual. After two years as a member of Life Time Work<\/a>, I barely knew anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Jan and I talked, we realized we shared the same thought: This rooftop was one of the best parts of our membership\u2014so why wasn\u2019t anyone else using it? Wouldn\u2019t it be great if more members came up here and connected?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That day, we gave ourselves a new assignment. We\u2019d host a monthly rooftop happy hour with snacks, drinks and no agenda, just an open invite to anyone who wanted to come. We initially envisioned this as a summer activity, but since our inaugural event in April 2024, we haven\u2019t missed a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What started as a one-off idea has turned into something reliable, even anticipated. In the process, I went from anonymous to familiar in the workspace. People know my name and where I\u2019m traveling next. As it turns out, being part of a community was the missing ingredient in my solopreneur<\/a> work-life recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\"SUCCESS<\/a>\n\n\n\n

A space designed for connection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Member
Photo courtesy of Megan Padilla<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jan and I both expected more organic networking<\/a> when we joined this coworking office. While our community managers create ample opportunities to mix and mingle, members are often wired in and working.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt just didn\u2019t happen,\u201d he says. \u201cAfter we talked, it [was] like, \u2018OK, if us two feel like this, there\u2019s probably quite a few other people at that same space.\u2019\u201d So we decided to be the spark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That initial conversation was unguarded. Neither of us had our laptops, and we weren\u2019t trying to work\u2014or even connect. We were just two people who happened to like sitting in the sun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt felt like, \u2018Oh, I\u2019m not disturbing you,\u2019\u201d Jan continues. \u201cI can just stir up a conversation and see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s something about the openness of the rooftop space that makes conversation easier. \u201cThere are no walls,\u201d Jan points out. \u201cPeople just go up there to relax. And so if somebody\u2019s up there, they\u2019re [probably] going to\u2026 be open to discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Routine\u2014but with room to flex<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At first, we chose a recurring date\u2014the second Tuesday of the month\u2014to make it easy to remember. We liked the rhythm of it. It gave us structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can plan around it,\u201d Jan adds. \u201dWe can put it on our calendars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, we experimented with different days and found that a little flexibility attracted different people. Sometimes we see 15 people, other times 25. There are always snacks and something to sip, and that\u2019s enough. Because the format is informal and lightweight, it\u2019s easy to pivot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even when winter came and we moved indoors to our workspace\u2019s break room, the vibe stuck. It\u2019s just a casual couple of hours once a month where people can stop by, have a drink and talk to someone they might not otherwise meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From playing host to being part of the community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Early on, it was mostly Jan and I holding the space, welcoming people, making introductions and playing hosts. Now, Jan says, \u201cevery time we\u2019re up there, more people know each other.\u201d They jump in, make introductions and follow up on past conversations. It\u2019s not just on us anymore. And that\u2019s how we know it\u2019s working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Hannan attended his first happy hour about a month after joining Life Time Work. Before he\u2019d poured his second drink, he\u2019d volunteered to host the next one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought it was valuable and fun,\u201d he says. \u201cWe work hard, and just an hour or two out of your day once a month is [worth it]. There are a lot of like-minded people\u2026 [but] if you don\u2019t get out of your comfort zone sometimes\u2026 you won\u2019t get a chance to meet [them].\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also reflects on the broader value of connecting with others in our coworking space. \u201cEveryone\u2019s story is a little bit different,\u201d he says. \u201cYou [see] a lot of successful people, but everyone\u2019s doing [things] a little bit differently, so it\u2019s fun to network and learn that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A commitment to conversation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jackie LaLonde, who\u2019s been a member longer than I have, shows up often, even if it\u2019s just for a few minutes. \u201cI love people, and I love community,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd I think the more we interact with others and make more friends, the better our world is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also finds the happy hour format conducive to practicing her conversation skills<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s good practice for me to get out and talk to people\u2026 in an environment where I don\u2019t know people,\u201d she says. \u201dI want to be a good example for [my kids].\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Chris and Jackie offered to co-host a happy hour without being asked. For her part, Jackie simply said, \u201cYou guys always do it\u2026. Why should everything be on you? That doesn\u2019t feel fair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other members occasionally volunteer to take the lead, but Jan remains the anchor. He\u2019s the reason we\u2019ve never missed a month\u2014and that consistency matters. \u201cA lot of people know each other, and we feel good that it\u2019s because of us,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we rotate hosting, we also play with timing and location. While the rooftop draws the biggest turnout in warmer months, the break room also has its perks. People tend to hover around food, and the island counter creates a natural spot to mingle. Sometimes people who are just walking by decide to stop in, which leads to an easy, organic vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seen and supported<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pauline Roussel\u2014Berlin-based co-founder of Coworkies<\/a>, an organization that helps people build careers through coworking, and co-author of Around the World in 250 Coworking Spaces<\/em><\/a>\u2014has visited more than 570 coworking spaces across 70 cities. \u201cMember-led events are usually more popular than the ones led by the coworking team,\u201d she says. \u201cMembers want to support members.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roussel also shares an anecdote about a member who needed teaching hours for her yoga certification and asked if she could provide free classes.\u00a0She told the member, \u201c\u2019I would love for you to do it,\u2019\u201d but warned her that they had tried a few times and it had never worked. \u201cYou cannot imagine how people showed up when she posted it on the Slack. There were so many people coming,\u201d Roussel says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later, Roussel asked members why the turnout was so different than when the team had previously offered yoga. Because this woman was part of a community, people wanted to support her. \u201cWe know her,\u201d they told Roussel. \u201dWe want to help her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roussel\u2019s words echo what I\u2019ve felt but hadn\u2019t quite named. When I started attending these events, I felt more visible, seen. Now, people notice when I\u2019m not around\u2014and when I am, they take the time to pause for conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From isolated to connected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Originally, I didn\u2019t set out to build a community<\/a>\u2014I just connected with someone I didn\u2019t know while sitting on the roof deck. But that small decision made my coworking space feel more alive, more mine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our monthly happy hours continue. They\u2019ve turned a shared office into something far beyond what it once was: a community that is entirely unreplicable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo by Gorgev\/Shutterstock.com<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Monthly happy hours turned one coworking space into a thriving community. Learn more about the power of organic networking in our latest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32507,"featured_media":87697,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14058],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-relationships"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/upskilling-organic-networking-relationships.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Charity De Souza","author_link":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/author\/megan-padilla\/"},"yoast_head":"\nThe Power of Organic Networking in Coworking Spaces | SUCCESS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Monthly happy hours turned one coworking space into a thriving community. 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Only one other person was up there\u2014Janahan Rajaratnam, who owns a software company called Valari Solutions. We\u2019d never spoken before, which wasn\u2019t unusual. After two years as a member of <a href=\"https:\/\/work.lifetime.life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Life Time Work<\/a>, I barely knew anyone.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As Jan and I talked, we realized we shared the same thought: This rooftop was one of the best parts of our membership\u2014so why wasn\u2019t anyone else using it? Wouldn\u2019t it be great if more members came up here and connected?<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>That day, we gave ourselves a new assignment. We\u2019d host a monthly rooftop happy hour with snacks, drinks and no agenda, just an open invite to anyone who wanted to come. We initially envisioned this as a summer activity, but since our inaugural event in April 2024, we haven\u2019t missed a month.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>What started as a one-off idea has turned into something reliable, even anticipated. In the process, I went from anonymous to familiar in the workspace. People know my name and where I\u2019m traveling next. As it turns out, being part of a community was the missing ingredient in my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/how-to-be-a-successful-solopreneur\/\">solopreneur<\/a> work-life recipe.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:html -->\n\n<!-- \/wp:html -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-space-designed-for-connection\">A space designed for connection<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":87699,\"width\":\"503px\",\"height\":\"auto\",\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"right\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Upskilling_Member-led-happy-hour-at-coworking-1_by-Megan-Padilla_IMG_4340-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Member led happy hour at coworking \" class=\"wp-image-87699\" style=\"width:503px;height:auto\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo courtesy of Megan Padilla<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Jan and I both expected more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/business-networking-activities\/\">organic networking<\/a> when we joined this coworking office. While our community managers create ample opportunities to mix and mingle, members are often wired in and working.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cIt just didn\u2019t happen,\u201d he says. \u201cAfter we talked, it [was] like, \u2018OK, if us two feel like this, there\u2019s probably quite a few other people at that same space.\u2019\u201d So we decided to be the spark.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>That initial conversation was unguarded. Neither of us had our laptops, and we weren\u2019t trying to work\u2014or even connect. We were just two people who happened to like sitting in the sun. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cIt felt like, \u2018Oh, I\u2019m not disturbing you,\u2019\u201d Jan continues. \u201cI can just stir up a conversation and see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There\u2019s something about the openness of the rooftop space that makes conversation easier. \u201cThere are no walls,\u201d Jan points out. \u201cPeople just go up there to relax. And so if somebody\u2019s up there, they\u2019re [probably] going to\u2026 be open to discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-routine-but-with-room-to-flex\">Routine\u2014but with room to flex<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>At first, we chose a recurring date\u2014the second Tuesday of the month\u2014to make it easy to remember. We liked the rhythm of it. It gave us structure. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cWe can plan around it,\u201d Jan adds. \u201dWe can put it on our calendars.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Eventually, we experimented with different days and found that a little flexibility attracted different people. Sometimes we see 15 people, other times 25. There are always snacks and something to sip, and that\u2019s enough. Because the format is informal and lightweight, it\u2019s easy to pivot.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Even when winter came and we moved indoors to our workspace\u2019s break room, the vibe stuck. It\u2019s just a casual couple of hours once a month where people can stop by, have a drink and talk to someone they might not otherwise meet.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-from-playing-host-to-being-part-of-the-community\">From playing host to being part of the community<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Early on, it was mostly Jan and I holding the space, welcoming people, making introductions and playing hosts. Now, Jan says, \u201cevery time we\u2019re up there, more people know each other.\u201d They jump in, make introductions and follow up on past conversations. It\u2019s not just on us anymore. And that\u2019s how we know it\u2019s working.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Chris Hannan attended his first happy hour about a month after joining Life Time Work. Before he\u2019d poured his second drink, he\u2019d volunteered to host the next one.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cI thought it was valuable and fun,\u201d he says. \u201cWe work hard, and just an hour or two out of your day once a month is [worth it]. There are a lot of like-minded people\u2026 [but] if you don\u2019t get out of your comfort zone sometimes\u2026 you won\u2019t get a chance to meet [them].\u201d <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>He also reflects on the broader value of connecting with others in our coworking space. \u201cEveryone\u2019s story is a little bit different,\u201d he says. \u201cYou [see] a lot of successful people, but everyone\u2019s doing [things] a little bit differently, so it\u2019s fun to network and learn that.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-commitment-to-conversation\">A commitment to conversation<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Jackie LaLonde, who\u2019s been a member longer than I have, shows up often, even if it\u2019s just for a few minutes. \u201cI love people, and I love community,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd I think the more we interact with others and make more friends, the better our world is.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>She also finds the happy hour format conducive to practicing her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/6-tips-to-rule-the-art-of-conversation\/\">conversation skills<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s good practice for me to get out and talk to people\u2026 in an environment where I don\u2019t know people,\u201d she says. \u201dI want to be a good example for [my kids].\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Both Chris and Jackie offered to co-host a happy hour without being asked. For her part, Jackie simply said, \u201cYou guys always do it\u2026. Why should everything be on you? That doesn\u2019t feel fair.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Other members occasionally volunteer to take the lead, but Jan remains the anchor. He\u2019s the reason we\u2019ve never missed a month\u2014and that consistency matters. \u201cA lot of people know each other, and we feel good that it\u2019s because of us,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As we rotate hosting, we also play with timing and location. While the rooftop draws the biggest turnout in warmer months, the break room also has its perks. People tend to hover around food, and the island counter creates a natural spot to mingle. Sometimes people who are just walking by decide to stop in, which leads to an easy, organic vibe.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-seen-and-supported\">Seen and supported<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Pauline Roussel\u2014Berlin-based co-founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coworkies.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Coworkies<\/a>, an organization that helps people build careers through coworking, and co-author of <a href=\"https:\/\/coworkiesbook.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Around the World in 250 Coworking Spaces<\/em><\/a>\u2014has visited more than 570 coworking spaces across 70 cities. \u201cMember-led events are usually more popular than the ones led by the coworking team,\u201d she says. \u201cMembers want to support members.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Roussel also shares an anecdote about a member who needed teaching hours for her yoga certification and asked if she could provide free classes.\u00a0She told the member, \u201c\u2019I would love for you to do it,\u2019\u201d but warned her that they had tried a few times and it had never worked. \u201cYou cannot imagine how people showed up when she posted it on the Slack. There were so many people coming,\u201d Roussel says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Later, Roussel asked members why the turnout was so different than when the team had previously offered yoga. Because this woman was part of a community, people wanted to support her. \u201cWe know her,\u201d they told Roussel. \u201dWe want to help her.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Roussel\u2019s words echo what I\u2019ve felt but hadn\u2019t quite named. When I started attending these events, I felt more visible, seen. Now, people notice when I\u2019m not around\u2014and when I am, they take the time to pause for conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-from-isolated-to-connected\">From isolated to connected<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Originally, I didn\u2019t set out to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/jairek-robbins-on-the-importance-of-building-a-community\/\">build a community<\/a>\u2014I just connected with someone I didn\u2019t know while sitting on the roof deck. But that small decision made my coworking space feel more alive, more mine.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Our monthly happy hours continue. 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