William Stokes moved from engineering in oil and gas into property, then used that shift to build something bigger.
He started by converting commercial buildings into residential units, before spotting a gap in the market for well-designed co-working spaces outside London.
That became Co-Space. Today, the business has three live locations, dozens more in the pipeline, and a clear bet on where work is heading next.
As co-founder, William is building regional spaces around design, community, and the idea that ambitious people should not have to move to London to find the right environment to work and grow.
🔗 Find William on LinkedIn and Instagram
Key takeaways
1️⃣ Find a business partner who complements your skills
Team up with someone whose strengths balance out your weaknesses. William says that a solid partnership with complementary skills is the secret sauce to tackling challenges and smashing business goals together.
2️⃣ Embrace calculated risks and manage them carefully
Don’t shy away from taking risks, but make sure they’re smart ones. William said it’s important to size up potential pitfalls and have a game plan — especially in the property world.
3️⃣ Sacrifice now to level up later
Be prepared to give up some short-term comforts for long-term gains. William believes that putting in the graft today sets you up for bigger wins tomorrow.
4️⃣ Enjoy the journey and celebrate the wins
Don’t get so caught up in the hustle that you forget to have fun. William reminds us to appreciate the process, celebrate your milestones, and enjoy the ride along the way.
5️⃣ Build genuine relationships without expecting returns
Invest in your network by helping others out just because you can. William believes that authentic connections often lead to unexpected opportunities down the line.
6️⃣ Exceptional design attracts people
Create products or services that stand out with top-notch design and user experience. William’s success with Co-Space shows that people are drawn to places that look and feel amazing.
7️⃣ Master your time with solid routines
Stay on top of your game with effective time management. William uses time blocking and structured schedules to juggle multiple tasks and keep productivity levels high.
In this episode
00:00 William Stokes introduction
03:43 Engineering roots and shifting into property
05:46 Learning from WeWork’s boom and bust
07:57 How Co-Space stands out on design and service
09:58 Picking the right cities to launch in
12:00 Stevenage: the surprising anchor location
13:08 Expansion plans and future growth
15:04 Hustle meets luck: the startup formula
16:49 Building connections that open doors
18:29 Why your business partner matters
21:52 Hiring smart for early-stage growth
23:53 How self-education shaped his approach
25:38 Knowing when to zoom out
27:46 Empowering your team with initiative
29:45 Daily routines and rituals that work
31:54 Work–life balance in real terms
33:27 Time management for high output
34:51 ADHD as a superpower in business
36:58 Empathetic leadership
39:26 Managing risk in property and beyond
41:59 The future of coworking and remote work
45:00 Myths of fast cash in property
47:54 Practical tips for new founders
50:44 Game-changing books
52:58 Life and business inspiration
54:53 The unseen sacrifices
56:35 What I’d tell a new entrepreneur
58:45 Thinking globally, acting locally
01:01:51 The UK’s business outlook
📖 William’s book recommendations
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie — A classic on effective communication and building meaningful relationships. William highlights this book for its invaluable advice on connecting with people, which is crucial in both business and life.
Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson — An insightful read into different personality types and how to interact with them. William found it a game-changer for understanding not only his own behaviour but also that of his business partner and team, leading to better collaboration and decision-making.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey — An inspiring memoir where McConaughey shares life lessons and stories from his journey. William likes how the book encourages embracing life’s challenges and turning them into opportunities, something every entrepreneur can relate to.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson — A deep dive into the life of Apple’s co-founder, this biography offers lessons on innovation, leadership, and thinking differently. William recommends it for its honest portrayal of success and failure, with real insights into what it takes to revolutionise an industry.
Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson — This book explores the life of the visionary behind Tesla and SpaceX. William finds inspiration in Musk’s relentless pursuit of ambitious goals and his ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
