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William Stokes is an entrepreneur who shifted from engineering in the oil and gas industry to revolutionising regional co-working spaces with Co-Space. Starting his journey by converting commercial buildings into residential units, William saw an opportunity to create design-led workspaces outside of London — with three live locations and dozens more in the pipeline. As co-founder of Co-Space, he’s reshaping how and where we work by focusing on community, great design, and regional growth.
🔗 Find William on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Some takeaways from William’s interview:
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.
📖 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.
In this episode we cover:
00:00 William Stokes Introduction
03:43 From Engineering to Property: A Journey of Discovery
05:46 WeWork: From Inspiration to Proof of Concept
07:57 Differentiating Co-Space: Design and Service
09:58 Location Strategy: Choosing the Right Markets
12:00 The Heart of Co-Space: Stevenage
13:08 Future Growth: Scaling Co-Space
15:04 Timing, Luck, and Hustle: The Recipe for Success
16:49 Building Connections: The Art of Networking
18:29 Finding the Right Business Partner
21:52 Hiring for Success: The First Employees
23:53 The Value of Self-Education
25:38 Stepping Back: Focusing on the Big Picture
27:46 Encouraging Initiative: Empowering the Team
29:45 Maintaining Focus: Routines and Habits
31:54 Balancing Work and Personal Life
33:27 Maximizing Productivity Through Time Management
34:51 Transforming ADHD into an Entrepreneurial Superpower
36:58 Leading with Empathy and Flexibility
39:26 Calculating Risks in Entrepreneurship
41:59 Navigating the Future of Remote Work
45:00 Debunking Get-Rich-Quick Schemes in Property Investment
47:54 Essential Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
50:44 Influential Books and Their Impact
52:58 Finding Inspiration in Life and Business
54:53 The Sacrifices of Entrepreneurship
56:35 Advice for New Entrepreneurs
58:45 Exploring Global Perspectives and Opportunities
01:01:51 The UK's Business Climate and Future Challenges
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