Growth in Focus - Workshop17

Learn from Workshop17 how connections between people amplify the potential of technology

In our latest Growth in Focus interview, Bronwyn Williams talks with Paul Keursten, co-founder and CEO of Workshop17.

Offering hotdesking, offices, and podcast studios, Workshop17 is a "workspace for everyone": shared office spaces for innovators, entrepreneurs, and companies of all sizes to naturally foster collaboration. This model allows entrepreneurs and start-up businesses to grow and thrive by eliminating the overhead and administrative burden of renting office space.

“If you lose curiosity, you become obsolete”

Co-founder and CEO of Workshop17

The challenges start-ups and entrepreneurs face

According to Paul, distrust is the most significant business hurdle to overcome, which is why he and co-founder Mark Seftel created a space where people can trust each other.

An environment that creates a sense of ease and trust also empowers the customers who use Workshop17 offices: "Because if you feel fear, the best doesn't come out." Paul is adamant that making business decisions from a place of fear creates limiting solutions while building from an environment of trust creates solutions that create more opportunities to grow.

The power of thinking differently

In September 2019, WeWork was considering buying Workshop17 for R1 billion. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and WeWork, facing its own challenges, terminated the deal.

COVID-19 also forced Workshop17 to close its offices, a pending death sentence for a company that relied on providing office space. Paul explains, "We found ourselves at home from one day to the next, all our locations closed. So, it was a crisis for our business."

So, Workshop17 restructured its business model, becoming an asset-light service and management business.

In addition, during the lockdown, Workshop17 created W17 World, an online platform to inspire its then-2 000 customers. The company also introduced 'blind dates': as Workshop17 community coordinators knew most customers personally, they set up online meetings between individuals and businesses they believed could co-create or leverage off each other.

"We thought it was very interesting if this person met that person, we would create a moment online that they could meet together."

W17 World also became an app, offering users a community database that provides a directory of skills incubated within the trusted Workshop17 environment.

Growth opportunities for South Africa

From his unique viewpoint, Paul sees many international companies entering the local market; "international companies hire local people because there is good talent here."

Paul says South Africa's almost-niche position as an 'outsourcing company' is strengthening as the country offers high-quality, rare skills talent at highly competitive rates.

Additionally, with the correct technology to support collaboration, South African companies can export their services and products to benefit from euro—or dollar-based pricing.

Paul also sees enormous potential in manufacturing. "People are doing very interesting things about how to set up manufacturing, how we can make manufacturing profitable, and then compete with the Chinese market, but have a very fast turnaround time. There's a lot of smart thinking happening."

Critical challenges hindering local growth

Unfortunately, as many businesses can relate, Paul is concerned about state-owned logistics, particularly at ports and rail transport.

Another factor limiting economic growth is the red tape surrounding work visas for digital nomads and business permits, which can sometimes take up to five years to be processed.

"If the international people can come in quite easily and work together with local people, they can grow their business. Everyone benefits."

Stop looking only at the CV. Look for a person's passion

"I have people who are curious. So, you look for curiosity; the CV doesn't tell me much."

According to Paul, the key to growing a successful business is to focus on developing curiosity and learning abilities in employees rather than just technical skills. Paul insists employers must look beyond paper credentials when hiring and prioritise curiosity, interest, and effort.

"What people call soft skills is the hard stuff.” Paul believes entrepreneurs don’t necessarily need all the answers; they need the skills to find and connect with the right people.

Paul further highlights the importance of fostering a child's entrepreneurial spirit.

"An entrepreneurial spirit, looking for opportunities, creating solutions, that kind of mindset starts at an early age.

I think schools should be a meeting place… which is the same thing that we try for Workshop17... There's room to experiment. There's room to find your passion'".

This is why Paul is adamant about creating environments that foster "accidental meetings" and organic collaboration. It's all about understanding people’s potential beyond their current roles, says Paul.

What's in store for Workshop17?

Growth across South Africa and into Africa. Paul is confident that, despite its challenges, South Africa's combination of first-world and developing-world characteristics creates unique opportunities for innovation and growth.

And growth across South Africa and into neighbouring countries is precisely what Workspace17 is planning.

"The whole idea is to create a dense enough network to attract most of the people that could come." And with global players focusing on the United States, Europe, and Asia, Workshop17 has the space to grow.