After nearly two years of remodeling the building at 122 E Patrick St, Cowork Frederick opened its doors in 2012 with 20 members, but it started long before then.
Glen and Julia (founders of Cowork Frederick) both worked from home, doing their day jobs and side gigs. Just like you, they realized the isolation was taking its toll. Just like you, they dreaded the commute to the corporate office (and the power struggles, ladder climbing, and two-faced comradery that awaited them when they arrived). They wanted a better way to work. Glen gets credit for learning about something called coworking and sharing the news. The two thought it was the most obvious thing ever – the infrastructure, equipment, and social network of a traditional office environment blended with the flexibility, autonomy, and authenticity of having your own business. Newly married, they decided right then then they wanted to create a coworking community in their to-be home of Frederick, Maryland.
They bought the building at 122 E Patrick and renovated it using recycled or repurposed materials wherever possible, hiring local contractors, and, as will always be the case, getting a lot of input from the community. Wanting the freedom to take Cowork Frederick wherever it needed to go, they bootstrapped the business, perhaps just like you’ve done with yours.
While building renovations were underway, Glen and Julia spread the news about Cowork Frederick and invited people to give coworking a try and inviting their input on what was most important in a coworking community and space.
Cowork Frederick officially opened September 4, 2012 with 20 members. The original community has grown to be wonderfully diverse, with a wide variety professions, and experience levels, for profits, not-for-profits, teleworkers, entrepreneurs, and life-style freelancers, from many different backgrounds, and with many interests. Along the way, the Cowork Frederick community helped shape the work space (and continues to do so) and to refine our sense of who we are and why cowork together. We launched programs, such as our Artist of the Month program and events like lunch & learns, happy hours, and “Gratitude & Grub”. Members formed groups such as “Women Who Cowork”, “The Water Cooler Club” and “Cake of the Month Club”. Members participated in charitable efforts, raising money for the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP), Heartly House, and taking on projects like building a new website for Seed of Life Nurseries. They teamed up to help each other too, with business problems, work projects, and even home projects. We’ve watched member businesses – and members – grow and evolve, become better and stronger. Friendships have been built – real friendships. It’s been a beautiful thing.
In 2017, based on input from members of the Cowork Frederick community, plans began for an expansion in both square footage and function. In 2018 Glen and Julia bought 120 E Patrick (right next door). Stay tuned. Good things are in the works.