The Future of Workspace

Coworking spaces: Are they right for you, your business?

By:

The Future of Workspace

Venture X Harlingen boasts 5,000 square feet of open shared space, including an outdoor patio. There are personal touches too, with a popcorn service at 3 p.m. to get people out of their offices and away from their desks for a quick mental and social break.
Venture X Harlingen boasts 5,000 square feet of open shared space, including an outdoor patio. There are personal touches too, with a popcorn service at 3 p.m. to get people out of their offices and away from their desks for a quick mental and social break.

The scent of coffee is noticeable as you walk through the door of this bright, colorful and modern-looking open space. 

There’s a kitchen area with inviting bar-height seating and a pair of large stainless refrigerators. A popcorn maker and top-of-the-line coffee machine both sit on the countertop. 

People in business casual attire meander from there to one of the three high-tech meeting rooms, their own office areas or what are called shared and designated desks in a general open area. 

This is life at the coworking facility Venture X on the west end of Harlingen just off the Interstate. There’s a similar Venture X facility in Brownsville, too. Both have been operating for about a year. 

New to the Valley

Unlike locations such as San Antonio, for those in the Valley, the coworking space concept is relatively new. It has also taken some time to catch on. According to Venture X Harlingen community coordinator Nicole Valdez, it is fuzzy for people until they take a tour. 

“They see the building, but they don’t know the concept,” Venture X digital marketing specialist Miranda Ruvalcaba says. “They think it is something completely different. Then they see it is modern, big, beautiful and different than what they thought.” 

That’s why both women believe these coworking spaces are gaining steam in the lower Valley.

Along with single offices and group offices, a middle area is shared space, costing a minimum of $99 per month for a spot. Those who rent private offices can have a logo on the door and can decorate as they see fit for their use.
Along with single offices and group offices, a middle area is shared space, costing a minimum of $99 per month for a spot. Those who rent private offices can have a logo on the door and can decorate as they see fit for their use.

Fitting for various businesses

In Harlingen, medical billing businesses are the main clients now, while in Brownsville, there are several attorneys and maquiladoras using the coworking facility. Ruvalcaba says the shared desks at Venture X are perfect for graphic designers, marketers, advertising personnel, tech companies and photographers. The offices suit medical billing, human resources, attorneys and recruiters who need more privacy.    

Overall, whatever your business may be, it seems to be a good option for those who may have found difficulties working at home or at another remote location. 

For La Feria’s Lindsey Vavra, her move to a dedicated desk in the open area at Venture X Harlingen has improved her focus and production.  

The owner of Full of Joy Photography for the past 14 years, Vavra says she feels more focused and is able to accomplish more than she was when she worked in her home office. She edits photos, and sends emails and billing statements. In the past, Vavra admits working out of public places such as Starbucks. She says she could never complete her work because of the distractions from people asking her questions about her work or equipment.  

“This is a good atmosphere and just makes it easy to get things done and not get distracted by things that always need to be done at your home,” she says about working out of Venture X Harlingen. “I have gone back and forth over the years working from home and working in a separate place. This has been one of the best separate places. It keeps business life separated from home life. 

Making connections at Venture X

Although her stint here has been just a few weeks, she plans to stay long term. 

“I have met some people and ran into familiar faces and it has been nice,” Vavra says. “But everyone respects each other’s time.”

 Valdez says networking is a key advantage and important to coworking spaces, and at Venture X there are businesses using each other’s services after developing relationships during lunch and other events.  

“They get in touch with each other to get help and get connected,” Ruvalcaba says. “That is a big difference between home office and being here – the contacts and noticing everyone is working and that helps you not get distracted.”

Inform. Educate. Entertain. Inspire. Those are the four key components Lisa believes must be present in “the perfect story” and accomplishing that is her goal every time she sits down to write. Lisa is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years in the industry as a newspaper reporter, editor, photographer and page designer. In June of 2019, she left the Valley Morning Star after four years as its editor. During her stint at the VMS, she also created and was the editor of Valley Women Inspire, a magazine published by AIM Media Texas, owners of the Valley Morning Star, McAllen Monitor and Brownsville Herald. Originally from Southeastern Wisconsin, Seiser was the editor of a weekly newspaper, the Lake Geneva Regional News. She then moved to Junction City, Kansas, to be the editor of the Daily Union in that city before relocating to the RGV to work at the Valley Morning Star. Seiser has lived in Harlingen since June of 2015 and loves palm trees, the beach, traveling, golfing and her three rescue dogs.

Comments