Connects Workspace’s 10th Anniversary
Last week, I was sitting in the first-floor space of the Armory building and overheard a conversation between two longtime members finalizing their camping plans. These two met and formed a relationship because they invested in something many might view as an unnecessary expense: coworking.
When I started Connects Workspace 10 years ago, I wasn’t just explaining the Connects model— I was introducing the entire concept of coworking. Although coworking had existed for more than 20 years, in 2015 it was only just beginning to go mainstream. Then, Covid changed everything. Remote work became as common as a Starbucks on every corner.
As we approach Connects Workspace’s 10-year anniversary on June 1, 2025, I find myself reflecting on this journey of entrepreneurship. I started Connects to create a space and place for community. So when I overheard that camping conversation, my heart was full.
In a post-Covid world, people are more discerning about how they spend their time and money. When so much is taken away for such a long period, we learn to live with less — or at least I have. Still, I stand by this truth: we need to be around people. Living, breathing, in-person relationships matter. Zoom is a remarkable tool for long-distance connection, but it can't replace the depth and richness of face-to-face interaction.
I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to launch a small business in my favorite place in the world — Golden, Colorado. And even more grateful to have built something I believe AI will never replace: human-to-human connection.
A dear friend and my executive coach recently suggested that I write out 10 lessons I've learned over the past decade. It started as a personal exercise, but as I wrote them down, I realized they belonged to everyone who has supported this journey — those who have cheered me on, challenged me, mentored me, questioned me, and believed in me.
Here they are, in no particular order:
Creating community takes intentional connection built over time.
I believe community is essential to health and vitality.
Save during the good times to prepare for the hard times.
Leading a team requires more than direction—it takes time, patience, and thoughtfulness.
While my vision and “why” haven’t changed, I’ve had to continuously iterate, adapt, and stay creative.
You can't “build it and forget it.”
I get immense joy from seeing members form friendships that extend beyond the work week.
Wisdom stays focused. Chasing shiny objects distracts not only from success and growth, but also from mental clarity and peace.
I will never be done growing and learning.
The support of coaches, counselors, mentors, friends, family, books, and podcasts has been instrumental to my resilience.
Consistent physical movement keeps me strong—not just in my body, but in my mind.
Building a business in a small town is a gift.
Golden has supported, advocated for, and rooted for Connects. But staying relevant requires curiosity, openness to change, and the humility to share ideas.
I am a better person for starting Connects.
More resilient, grounded, wise, and stable.
Ten years isn’t that long—just a decade, a blink. I hope Connects Workspace will continue for many years to come, and maybe even expand beyond Golden one day. But for now, I’m deeply grateful for this beautiful, evolving reflection of community, kindness, and creativity. Thank you to each and everyone of you that has made Connects what it is today!
-Jen