The free life of a freelancer
I love working from home. Freelancing has its drawbacks, of course—zero medical benefits, having to do your own taxes, the cat knocking things over while you’re scrambling to meet a deadline—but nothing beats writing at the kitchen table, a mere ten feet away from the coffee pot (totally worth it, benefits).
The dilemma
Unfortunately, life outside of your four walls goes on, and it isn’t always possible to work from home. As a full-time student, I find myself struggling to find a place to work in between conferences, classes, and practices. Other contractors, particularly ones working with multiple clients in large cities, might spend an occasional day physically checking in with their patrons. In situations such as these, it’s difficult to maintain productivity in the interim between meetings.
The coolest news EVER
So where can a freelancer find affordable and accessible workspace? Croissant, a startup based in New York City, might be onto something. For 99 dollars a month, members of Croissant can enjoy up to 40 hours of monthly work in select, handpicked locations throughout NYC, ranging from modern conference rooms to sophisticated rooftop terraces. It’s the solution to the on-the-go freelancer’s common problem of not having a guaranteed work space, and the gradient of vibes means you can choose your spot based on your current mood.
Croissant keeps you connected, caffeinated and comfortable
Each of Croissant’s locations is selected for their vetted wifi, unlimited coffee, comfortable seating, and likeminded community. Any time you need to work outside of your normal digs for an hour or two, you can check into one of the ten (and counting) Croissant-compatible sites. An app allows you to discern which spaces are available for drop-in—no need to reserve a spot or book an appointment beforehand.
Bring a bud!
Another amazing component of Croissant is its guest system. A single seat in a New York coworking space averages almost 400 dollars, to say nothing of two. Croissant founders proposed a change: for five hours a month, members can bring guests to any work space of their choosing. This system bridges the gap between casual and professional—perfect for freelancers and their clients—and it allows contractors to remain static whilst working on the go.
NYC only – for now
Croissant is the ideal hybrid of professional work space and relaxed coffee shop. Though Croissant is only available in select locations in New York City, freelancers in that area should definitely take notice of this innovative service. For more information, check out their website at https://www.getcroissant.com/.
