Introducing Colab Space

Meet Colab Space; Orange County's newest coworking space. Beautifully designed and functional with a contemporary style and modern workforce in mind, you can now book by the hour, day or month on LiquidSpace.

Founder & CEO, Jade Cao, has over 10 years' experience in corporate communications, community development, and public relations, working with multiple Fortune 500 companies to help them communicate their vision, values, and goals to their stakeholders, customers, and employees. She is passionate about creating a collaborative and supportive environment for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses and large, where they can network, learn, and grow together.

We caught up with her to find out what inspired Colab Space, what the workspace has to offer and her insight into the coworking industry...

What inspired you to set up your coworking space?

I was inspired by the idea of creating a vibrant and supportive community for freelancers, entrepreneurs, remote workers, and growing businesses. I wanted to create a modern, design-forward environment that would foster a spirit of collaboration, networking, productivity, and a sense of belonging.

How long has it been in operation?

Since November 2022. We recently celebrated our one-year anniversary on November 10th!

How would you introduce your coworking space, its ethos and what it offers?

We value community, flexibility, positivity and wellness. We provide a range of services and amenities including flexible workspaces, meeting rooms, high-speed internet, and networking events for freelancers, entrepreneurs, remote workers/teams, and growing businesses.

Where is Colab Space?

Colab Space is centrally located in the heart of Irvine, Orange County, California. We are just steps away from John Wayne Airport and located near major freeways with plenty of dining and fitness options nearby.

What made you choose this area?

Orange County, California is home to a thriving, diverse community of creatives, entrepreneurs, and business-minded professionals so we felt this was the perfect place. Orange County also offers stunning beaches, a vibrant dining scene, and a variety of entertainment options, from The Segerstrom Center for the Arts to Disneyland Resort.

Who is your community made up of?

Our community includes freelancers, entrepreneurs and startups, remote workers, small businesses, corporate teams, professionals seeking networking, nonprofits, and creatives. We have members in multiple industries, from marketing and finance to content creation and app development. There's so much variety!

What are the key amenities and features that members can enjoy at your space?

We have various types of workspaces including open desks, private offices, team suites, meeting rooms. We have complimentary parking, reliable, high-speed internet, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, and printing services. We also have specific rooms dedicated to taking phone calls, taking a moment to focus, or recording podcasts. Our kitchenette has complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks for our guests, while our patio offers an open-air area to work, take a lunch break, or play games. There are a couple of relaxing lounge areas for informal meetings or short breaks. Private Office Members have 24/7 access, allowing them to work at their convenience.

Are there any special events or community activities that you regularly host for your members?

We pride ourselves in offering vibrant and exciting programming for our members. We have a weekly member happy hour, seasonal excursions including SUP Yoga and a beach bonfire, local business pop-ups, and workshops centered around wellness, from bodyweight boxing to aromatherapy.

How does your coworking space foster a sense of community and collaboration among its members?

Our coworking space is designed with common areas and shared spaces to encourage natural interaction. We organize community events regularly such as member happy hours and networking mixers. We love to highlight our members’ businesses on social media and in our monthly newsletter. Our team makes an ongoing effort to nurture relationships within our community by introducing members to each other. We also love to collaborate with local businesses and form lasting partnerships.

Do you have any standout member success stories?

Our Colab Space members have been able to grow and expand their team within months, and in turn expand their workspace to include multiple private offices. Some of our members have also been able to diversify their services and products offerings. We are very happy to see and be part of our members’ journey.

Tell us about the design and aesthetics of your coworking space. What was the inspiration behind its interiors?

Interior design has always been one of my passions, and I saw Colab Space as an opportunity for me to get creative. I wanted to create a vibrant, colorful, and uplifting space. There are pops of poppy red and yellow throughout, lush greenery, and eye-catching textures from the geometric entryway tile to the delicate details of our designer light pendants. We partnered with a local muralist in San Diego (Pandr Design Co.) to create murals with inspiring messages such as “Connect Communicate Collaborate” and “The Future Starts Today.” Neon signs such as “Together, We’re Stronger” and “All You Need is Love” also speak to our core values.

How does technology play a role in enhancing the work experience for your members?

Our meeting rooms are designed to be able to facilitate virtual meetings, which has been helpful for our clients with teams across the nation. We also use Slack to communicate, make announcements, promote upcoming events, and welcome new members. We also have energy-efficient motion-sensored lighting throughout the entire coworking space to ensure we only use the electricity we need.

From your perspective, how has the coworking industry evolved over the past few years?

The coworking space industry has definitely grown in the past few years. There have been more openings with the rise of entrepreneurs, growing businesses, and freelancers looking for a curated space to boost their productivity and growth.

What trends have you observed?

More remote workers are yearning for a space to be among fellow professionals and entrepreneurs. Many businesses are looking for budget-friendly workspaces with flexible terms.

If you'd like to find out more about Colab Space or schedule a tour of the space, visit LiquidSpace.