Creating Space for Us: Inside Co-Space’s New Era

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Co-Space isn’t just a place to work, it’s a space built with community top of mind.

As Co-Space celebrates the grand reopening of its new Miami Gardens space on Saturday, May 30, founder Joy St. Clair continues creating a hub where Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals can connect and grow after relocating from its previous location to accommodate its expanding community.

Rooted in Community 

The idea for Co-Space was born during the pandemic, when remote work became the new normal. At the time, St. Clair was working in corporate America and, as a cancer survivor, was searching for a co-working space that gave her the balance of getting out of the house without having to fully return to the office.

As she visited different coworking spaces across Miami, St. Clair realized that none of them truly felt like home. From the overall atmosphere to not seeing people who looked like her, she struggled to find a space where she felt comfortable while still being productive. After several attempts to find the right fit, St. Clair says she reached a moment of clarity. “I realized you know exactly what you’re looking for, and it doesn’t exist,” she said. “So instead of wasting time searching for it, I created the space and solved the problem myself.”

St. Clair’s passion for community was rooted in her childhood growing up in Liberty City. For many, the neighborhood itself was a resource, a place where people supported one another with whatever they had.“I remember during hurricanes when the power would be out for days, people would be outside grilling and everyone could come get a plate,” St. Clair recalled. “If you had something in your freezer, you just threw it on the grill. “Those experiences shaped St. Clair’s belief that “community is the thing that can literally change the trajectory of your life if you have the right people around you.”

St. Clair also credits her mother for shaping her support of Black-owned businesses long before it became a trend. She recalled taking the bus with her mother to shop at Winn Dixie, one of the few Black-owned supermarkets at the time, an experience that now feels full circle as a business owner herself. “Now I’m way down here on Dixie, and I’m like, ‘I used to catch the bus way down here just to go to the supermarket, and now I’m a business owner who’s your neighbor,’” St.Clair shared.

The New Era 

With the goal of staying within the Miami Gardens community, Co-Space has relocated across the street and has tripled in size. The relocation was due to being at capacity almost every day and not having the space to host bigger events, especially with corporate sponsors. From meeting rooms, podcast areas to larger event spaces to host events, the versatility of Co-Space is “whatever you need it to be”.

When asked how the economy and companies scaling back remote work have affected Co-Space, St. Clair explained that the business has continued to thrive by adapting to the needs of entrepreneurs and remote workers. Rather than traditional office leases, many members are looking for flexible and affordable spaces that still provide the professionalism of an office environment. “A big part of my business is keeping my eyes and ears on the community and asking, ‘How can I solve the problems as they come up?’ You help me, and I help you.”

St. Clair also shared advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them not to let fear or perfectionism stop them from taking the first step. While preparation and research matter, she believes fear and overthinking often stop people from ever getting started. “Do enough to get to point A, and once you get there, then do enough to get to the next point…but you’ve got to just start. Do the research, take it seriously, but do it scared”.

Looking ahead, St. Clair says her focus for the next five years is less about opening another location and more about deepening Co-Space’s impact within the community. She hopes to see more corporations, nonprofits, and larger organizations utilize the space as a way to connect directly with the people they serve.“There’s so much value in meeting people where they are, and they’re here,” St. Clair said.

Although the new space has already been open for several months, the grand reopening on May 30 will celebrate Co-Space’s expansion and serve as a thank-you to the members and community who have supported the business along the way. 

At its core, Co-Space is more than a coworking hub, it’s a space rooted in community, connection, and creating opportunities for us, by us.

The Re-Grand Opening will be Saturday May 30, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m(Location: 7161 NW 27th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33056)

To learn more on the Co-Space and how to become a member please visit their website at WelcomeToCospace.com and follow them on Instagram at @The.cospace

Image credit: Co-Space