Designing for People, Not Desks: Dean Connell on Reclaiming Creativity in the Coworking World

What happens when a designer trades luxury bars and boutique hotels for coworking spaces—and ends up helping shape WeWork’s global footprint? You get Dean Connell: design veteran, creative provocateur, and someone who’s not afraid to say what coworking needs most right now. In this episode, Dean shares his personal story of stumbling into WeWork, building over 2 million square feet of flexible workspace around the world, and why coworking still has a culture problem. We dig into what’s missing from today’s flex space design and how operators can bring purpose, creativity, and—yes—a little rebellion back into the process. This one’s part inspiration, part challenge to the status quo, and a must-listen for anyone trying to build spaces that matter. We cover: - Dean’s unexpected journey from bar designer to creative director at WeWork, and how it changed the trajectory of his life. - Why so many coworking spaces feel soulless—and what to do about it. - The tension between creativity and repeatable models in coworking design. - How to build spaces that reflect culture, not just brand palettes. - Dean’s call for operators to stop playing it safe and start building the future, not just repackaging the past. If you’ve ever looked at your space and thought “there has to be more to this,” you’ll want to hear what Dean has to say. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: - Dean on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamdeanconnell/ - I-AM.D.C website - https://iamdc.co/ - Wesley Edmonds on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleyannedmonds/ Connect with your Hosts: - Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovanni-palavicini-2389a37/ - Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamierusso/ - Find Jamie on the Everything Coworking Podcast - https://www.everythingcoworking.com/podcastmain 🔔 Hit subscribe now & stay tuned for valuable tips, interactive podcasts, industry trends, and expert interviews on building and running a profitable coworking space! https://www.youtube.com/@everythingcoworking/?sub_confirmation=1 🔊 Listen to my podcasts 🔊 → https://www.everythingcoworking.com/podcast ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Audio Podcast is currently on your favorite platforms: 👉ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-coworking/id991355914 ============================= 🎬 Recommended Playlists 👉 Coworking Education https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfZE25IKRGiPEyB1WWerqofvHZoNh8DvJ 👉 The Everything Coworking Podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfZE25IKRGiNG_v8lEhiJRnqUmnREmeHN 🎬 WATCH MY OTHER VIDEOS: 👉 Meagan Slavin, COO of 25N Coworking on Management Agreements and Leadership https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFfSSAxiycs 👉 Shlomo Silber, Founder of Bond Collective, Dishes on His New Venture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XtQoj-dkuY 👉 Co-Warehousing Pioneer with Philip Freeman, CEO of Murphy’s Naturals and Founder of The Loading Dock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNEsl1I4jIU 👉 How Maryann Baldwin Drives Economic Development in a Town of 1,000 with Her Coworking Space https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGGf4cLy2fA 👉 From Bronx Roots to Coworking Success: Ramon Gonzalez's Journey with Thrive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hAq6FK5OX4 ============================= ✅ About Everything Coworking. Welcome to Everything Coworking! I help you launch and run profitable coworking spaces that fit your business and personal goals. Tune in for tips, advice, and insights on creating a successful coworking space. Learn from my weekly podcast, which features expert interviews and industry updates. Whether you're just starting or looking to improve your space, I've got you covered. 🔔 Hit subscribe now, and you won't miss expert tips, industry updates, engaging podcasts, and expert interviews on launching and running a profitable coworking space! https://www.youtube.com/@everythingcoworking/?sub_confirmation=1 ================================= #podcast #coworking #officespace #office #flex #flexoffice #success #vision #strategy #workplace #design #designer #creativity ⚠️ Disclaimer: I do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. Do your research. Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of Everything Coworking. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to my YouTube channel is provided. © Everything Coworking