The coworking industry didn't become global overnight.


People like Jean-Yves Huwart helped make it that way.


Jean-Yves is the founder of Coworking Europe and one of the few people who has had a front-row seat to how flex workspace has evolved across dozens of countries over the last 15+ years.


In this episode of Flex Uncensored, Liz Elam and I sit down with Jean-Yves to talk about what's happening across the European coworking market right now… and why the industry is hitting a new level of maturity.


We get into:


• Why office buildings are starting to see flex workspace as a necessity, not a "nice to have"
• How asset owners across Europe are building their own coworking brands
• The growing role of brokers and intermediaries in helping companies find the right workspace
• Which European markets are booming right now (Netherlands, France, Spain) and which ones are moving more slowly
• Why the evolution of flex workspace is tied so closely to how cities themselves are changing

  
  

If you're curious about where the flex workspace industry is headed globally, this conversation is a great one to listen to.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Jean-Yves Huwart on LinkedIn

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

Most commercial real estate brokers don't start their careers playing 200 shows a year in dive bars.

But that's exactly how Ward Richmond's career began.

Before becoming Vice Chairman at Colliers and building a high-performing industrial brokerage team, Ward was a touring musician. When that chapter ended, he stepped into commercial real estate… and eventually built a business very intentionally around people, culture, and personal growth.

We get into:

• How a financial scare and a baby on the way forced Ward to rethink how he was working
• The moment he realized the difference between being a business operator and a true business owner
• Why he invested heavily in coaching and personal development (including Tony Robbins and Grant Cardone)
• The core values he uses to build and manage his team
• And why gratitude, humility, and discipline matter just as much as market expertise
  
  

If you're thinking about leadership, team building, or what it actually looks like to build a career that aligns with your values, you'll enjoy this one.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Ward Richmond on LinkedIn

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast

What if the real flex opportunity isn't about chasing every deal… but knowing exactly which ones to walk away from?

I always love having Mark Burge, CEO and co-founder of Flex Workspace Solutions, back on the podcast. He's thoughtful, candid, and one of the few operators who will openly say, "Actually… this project doesn't make sense." And he means it.

In this episode, Mark shares how 2025 was one of their slowest years for new client acquisition… and also their best year ever. Why? Because they got crystal clear on who they are, who they serve, and who they don't.

We talk about:

• The real shift happening in landlord mindset around management agreements
• Why some owners are finally seeing flex as a building amenity, not just a revenue play
• The discipline it takes to say no to the wrong project

• How trust built through honesty leads to better long-term partnerships
• The sweet spot in square footage and why bigger isn't always better
• And yes… whether AI should be booking your tours

If you're working with landlords, considering a management model, or trying to figure out where AI fits in a hospitality-driven industry, this conversation will make you think.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Mark Burge on LinkedIn

Connect with your Hosts:

Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn

Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn

Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast