Many of our buildings have large format murals that are of varying subject matter, and we've found that those are the sort of things that make people stop, digest, and absorb.
Miguel McKelvey
There is always someone who is going to look for the cracks.
When we imagine a future for both WeWork and WeLive and the other things that we're doing, it really is about unlocking people.
I often spend the majority of my time thinking and writing down notes.
Rather than trying to fit a prescribed need for office sizes, we try to go with the flow of the building as much as possible.
If you look at WeWork as a brand I think the way we design has a more masculine vibe.
People can connect in different ways. If you do a rope course with someone you otherwise wouldn't meet and you share this incredible challenge, then you have perhaps formed a bond that could last forever.
Partitions and cubicles can be oppressive. They are so boring.
What will make you energized and motivated, to be awesome today? Is it an awesome shower in the morning, is it a great breakfast, is it a beautiful view? Or is it all of those things together.
When the idea of 'We' came in, it started as a 'WeBlank: WeWork, WeLive, WeSleep, WeEat.' That was the premise at the very start.
I still want an entrepreneurial culture to exist forever.
We're really focused on being 'of no time.' We studied the idea of timelessness, looking at what designs in history have become timeless.
I'd eat bowls of soft-serve ice cream until I felt sick.
In New York, you have thousands of buildings that have never been renovated, that have horrible designs, that are really cramped and terrible.
Even companies with big resources were not creating spaces supportive of their teams. We see that in creating those types of spaces, there is an amazing human potential for excitement and happiness. Especially among companies trying to serve a younger, more innovative workforce.
When you have your own business, you don't mind failing if it makes you better in the long run.
What draws us to a city like San Francisco is the same thing that draws entrepreneurs, startups, and freelancers to WeWork: it's the creative atmosphere, the technical sophistication, and the strong sense of community.
Happiness, the feeling of positivity, really is the foundation of productivity.
Empowering people to pursue their journeys. That's our first mission. Put people into an environment where they can do that, and that creates the energy.
In the U.S., people are habitual about drinking coffee in the morning. In China, many are drinking coffee in the afternoon.
I don't think we are trying too hard. WE is inclusive from the beginning. That's the whole point. We've always been, 'everyone is welcome.' There is no velvet rope, no barrier to entry.
A desk for $350 a month in a common area is not as cheap as a coffee shop. But a lot of people would say they're empowered by that environment in a way that makes it worth it.
We're very specific when we're drawing work plans. We think about the chances of when a person gets off the elevator where they will go. We think about how people get to a coffee machine, when they go and get their lunch, when they go to the bathroom.
I don't eat meat, but I don't consider myself a vegetarian.
I consider myself to be a 'reducetarian.' I try to consume less and be aware of the decisions I'm making. Not just food, but single-use plastics, and fossil fuels and energy.
Companies have greater responsibility to their team members and to the world these days. We're the ones with the power. Large employers are the ones that can move the needle on issues.
I've seen how business can transform communities.
Commerce is a core component of pretty much any successful society.
We've set this forever ambition to make WeWork the best place.
I want to be a person who says 'Hey, if something is going on, come and tell me about it.'
When you're 30, 40, 50 people and you're all in the room and that energy flows, that's sort of easy to maintain and I think we've learned to love that.
Apart from differentiating our spaces with design, we also look for buildings that have distinctive character. We make sure every seat is a good one.
For many of us, we imagine that separation is crucial, the time for your mind to switch from one thing to another is important. And there are other people who are much more comfortable with that barrier being on a spectrum, always working or always semi-working.
People need a space that they can go to make a conference or Skype call. It's important to create those spaces and create a company culture that supports those spaces.
It's certainly important for people to have a sense of privacy.
It can be isolating to be an entrepreneur… you have to keep hustling to make it happen and that can be lonely.
Many of the things we looked to solve initially were services like Internet and desk space. Then we got into the game of connecting people.
The reality is we are all about servicing people and helping them achieve their dream, follow their journey and define their own success. When that is 100% authentic that flows through everything we do and translates.
When you're in the moments of greatest stress, those are the most memorable.
The copycats are interesting because some of them branded themselves as 'WeWork of China,' which helped establish us before we were there.
More and more people are getting turned out of their corporations and laid off. As more people leave that behind, they're tapping into their own skill sets and talents and doing something for themselves.
Our growth has been very fast but in every place we've gone, we've achieved great success.
We think we can play a small part in the evolution of culture.
It's a dream come true to think that opportunities flow from personal connections.
We're not competing against other people who have similar ideas but we're competing against ideas of work in general. There are still traditional office spaces that are not friendly to human beings that are not designed for connection and collaboration.
There's no such thing as 'making it.'
I like to be next to the center of attention.
When we started WeWork it really was thought of holistically.
We had a bunch of 'we's - a fitness concept, a restaurant concept. The first business plan we had included all of them.
We need to pay attention to the whole space - every room, chair and table - so it feels uplifting and inspiring.
