Coworking with - l'Atelier at Maitland

Our professional interests in the development and operation of Humane Systems, Spaces + Places has us tracking the emergence of a range of new CoWork options. Our involvement with other CoWorking projects will see us profile a series of regional CoWorking Spaces across Australia over the coming months. 

L'Atelier as a CoWorking destination - 5 Questions

Pierre Malou

L'Atelier is a new Coworking space opening in Maitland, a key Hunter region destination, rich with history and undergoing an urban renewal program. It's one of several emerging Hunter CoWorking spaces but also an important innovation for the CBD of Maitland - what we'd describe as a beacon business, helping to light the way to different ways of doing business

We've recently asked Pierre Malou, owner and operator of L'Atelier, a few questions to help dig a bit deeper into his journey and intentions for this new space.

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1. What is the core focus of your CoWorking space?

L’Atelier is a co-working space dedicated to start-ups.  It’s a hybrid between an incubator, an accelerator and a co-working space.  Commercialisation services are available on site to both residents and business visitors.  The focus is on supporting new ideas and turning them into successful businesses.

2. CoWorking - Why Maitland? Why Now?

Maitland is a historical business hub in the Hunter region which is the strongest regional economy in Australia.  Although Maitland benefits from its environment, the city also relies heavily on a handful of industries.  There is an opportunity to develop missing links, i.e. SMEs offering new services to the existing leading industries and to the residents of the Hunter.

3. How do you manage the mix of tenants to create the right 'buzz’?

Being privately funded, L’Atelier has the luxury of being able to hand pick its residents.  There is no right or wrong.  However, a balance between the targeted industries and the entrepreneurs' skills sets is desirable.  Competition is good but developing a team with the right mix of experience and skills creates emulation and facilitates teamwork.  The buzz is created by L’Atelier’s residents themselves.   Their success and contribution to the local and regional economy is really newsworthy.

4. Why would people chose a CoWorking space over working from home?

L’Atelier offers much more than a traditional working space.  It is a business incubator too.  Our residents are able to hone their skills and acquire new ones whilst developing their business project.  Surrounded by other start-ups, our residents can exchange, co-operate, learn and develop at their own pace within a recommended business plan and framework.  It is much easier and more efficient to develop and iterate new ideas and concepts quickly when supported by like-minded entrepreneurs.

5. What advice would you give to others looking to create or participate in a CoWorking destination?

Think local: where is your local talent, what are your local needs.  By focussing on this, you will support start-ups that will quickly find their niche.  Global success can follow for the best of them, but in the meantime your co-working destination has fulfilled needs in untapped local markets.

our take

As an Entrepreneur driven facility, L'Atelier represents what we see as a real differentiator in coworking, by operating as not just a workspace, but also providing incubation and accelerator services with careful curation to ensure the right mix of clients. As the founder of Blue Peter, Pierre has a strong commercial background and insight into how to grow business, with strong linkages to his local community and emergent businesses in the region. 

We're looking forward to seeing Hunter and visiting businesses experiencing L'Atelier as a new model of business within the Hunter. They've embraced "Open for Business" in word and deed. 

Where to find L'Atelier
http://www.creativespaces.net.au/find-a-space/latelier-maitland

Level 1, 427 High Street
Maitland
New South Wales 2320