New WorkLife co-working space in Coledale makes the best of both worlds

Mrs Dezarnaulds is launching WorkLife Coledale with an open house, live music and curated makers market from December 18 to 20. And is inviting the community to come check it out the office suites, co-working spaces and meeting rooms.

Curated by Chrystie Longworth the launch will help kick off a regular exhibition program at Coledale with a collection of wares from local artists such as Ceramics by Cobalt & Kin, Jewellery by Mel Young, Paintings by Anh Nguyen, Sculptures by Samantha Arnull, Bespoke tailoring by Tanya Nash, Fashion by Saffrine Nydeggar and Art by Bonnie Porter Greene.

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After a career in business development for festivals, events, arts organisations and not-for-profits, including Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, StartupAUS and TEDxSydney, Mrs Dezarnaulds moved to Berry from Alexandria with her husband Jacques, of J2Build, and their three children nine years ago.

She has figured out how to make her own work life work for her and seen how co-working can help build diversified thriving regional economies.

COVID-19 has highlighted the appeal of the Illawarra for other Sydneysiders interested in a tree or sea change.

With WorkLife Ms Dezarnaulds has started developing a network of regional co-working spaces designed for people who would rather work in a community than alone on the dining table.

The shared workspace takes away the frustrations of working from home and provides options for all working preferences and budgets. And members get visiting rights to WorkClub Sydney, Barangaroo and Melbourne.

Mrs Dezarnaulds said she had been looking for a large enough location in the Northern Illawarra for some time. And now she has found the ideal space she is receiving plenty of interest.

She said following COVID-19 more companies are also interested in people working remotely.

"People and companies are questioning what the new norm is when it comes to work and living. The trends are showing that more people are moving to regional areas and flexible working is here to stay."

Mrs Dezarnaulds said WorkLife itself was impacted by COVID-19 in April and May and she questioned whether it was the right time to open another co-working space. But now she is certain she has made the right decision.

Inquiries from potential new members are up at least 35 per cent on this time last year with many of them telling her how they have been looking to flee the CBD and work in coastal towns.

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Mrs Dezarnaulds thinks a regular exhibition program will help the WorkLife Coledale become a thriving hub of entrepreneurial and community activity.

She said six private office suites are initially available in the co-working space and by February there will be 20 co-working desks.

Mrs Dezarnaulds said it offers people the opportunity to work in a fully equipped space fitted out with the latest technology.

She said Coledale has a lot going for it. Being one hour from Sydney it is seen as having the best of both worlds as many people want to increasingly work closer to home.

"Co-working spaces fulfill a growing need for workers to have access to a 'third space' which is not the office or home," she said.

"Co-working is no longer just for startups and freelancers. We have noticed that our membership is diversifying to include academics, corporate employees and public sector employees, whose employers are now more likely to contribute to the cost of their membership as part of new workplace arrangements."

After establishing co-working communities in Berry and Kiama Mrs Dezarnaulds has found people really crave an option to mix up their work environment and connect with their community.

WorkLife Coledale's community manager is Jane Fullerton-Smith who is an actress, writer and former arts sustainability specialist who also works as a wedding and end of life celebrant.

2020 has been a year unlike any other for Leo Tortorici, of Athletes Foot Shellharbour.

Mr Tortorici survived by going above and beyond for his clients. When NSW went into lockdown and customers called him needing new shoes he jumped in his car and went to them.

"It was a dark time for us all in late March and early April but we continued to trade the whole period." he said.

"There are a lot of health workers in the community who get their footwear from us so it was a very important time to try and support them. We had calls from people in Sydney wanting shoes because everything else was shut.

"I am a franchisee and I decided to stay open any way I could. I even delivered a pair of shoes to a lady's home in Vincentia. I took three pairs down so she could try the different styles. When she chose what she wanted I just charged the card when I came back. I tried to do anything I could and it has been amazing to get the support of people who said they still wanted to buy local and not go online."

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Mr Tortorici said that was hugely important.

"We did anything we could to try and help our customers out. We realised we needed to be more agile."

Business has been returning to normal leading into Christmas and January is always the most important time of the year with back to school sales.

Delays in stock being held up on the wharves has been another challenge but Mr Tortorici has been very strategic with his ordering and positioning the business as the most convenient place to get well fitted shoes.

He is grateful to the community for its continued support which meant he did not have to let anyone go. In fact he has put two more staff on. He said people were eager to shop in store again which was especially with back to school shoes because children's feet grow and change every year.

Movers and Shakers is a new weekly feature of people doing significant work in or for the Illawarra community

Do you have an interesting business story you would like to share? Email grellis@austcommunitymedia.com.au.

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