A product I (still) believe
When I joined WeWork, I believed deeply in its potential as a platform to empower entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses—and I still do.
By the time I sat down to reflect on my 5.5 years with the company, WeWork had expanded to 781 locations worldwide. Each space offered more than just a desk; it provided an environment designed to inspire and enable members to collaborate, free from the high rents, utility costs, and long-term commitments typical of corporate real estate. By stripping away those barriers, members could focus on developing their ideas, building teams, and serving their clients. For anyone who has ever started a business, you know just how valuable that is. And if you were one of the 664,000 members around the world, you could feel the tangible allure of what WeWork offered—a magnetic energy that spurred countless imitators. WeWork didn’t just ride the wave of co-working; it created the co-working mega-trend, igniting the global startup economy across industries. That’s a legacy to be proud of.
The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly reshaped how we work, with remote work taking center stage. But even in a post-pandemic world, the value of in-person planning and collaboration can’t be overstated. When it comes to solving complex challenges, face-to-face interaction remains essential. This is where WeWork stands out. Its workspaces are more than physical spaces—they’re enablers, making it easier for small teams to connect naturally and productively. While remote work has its place, I believe companies that prioritize regular in-person collaboration are far more likely to achieve meaningful, lasting results.
A unique employee experience
Having worked at WeWork through its highs, lows, and eventual turnaround, I came to appreciate the company’s uniqueness as an employer. Early on, it was clear that the environment encouraged employees to step outside their comfort zones, try new things, and accelerate their personal growth. For those who embraced it, the opportunities to learn and develop were endless.
But as WeWork scaled, "scale-fatigue" set in for many. The turbulence and relentless pace took a toll, and some lost motivation. I understood why—there were moments that tested all of us in ways few would dare to talk about publicly. Yet, I never took the opportunities for granted. I kept pushing to contribute, no matter how dire the situation. Partly because that’s my nature, and partly because I believed in WeWork and its mission.
Over time, as headlines swirled with stories about the company’s founding team, the media’s portrayal became frustratingly one-dimensional. Coverage focused on a handful of individuals and high-profile events, while neglecting the extraordinary efforts of countless employees who gave their all. For many WeWork alumni, this one-sided narrative feels unfair—a source of both pride in what we achieved and unease about how those accomplishments have been overshadowed.
We’re proud of the work we did, the teams we built, the targets we exceeded. But it’s hard not to feel that our contributions were smeared by the actions of a few. This disconnect motivated me to write about my experiences—spanning multiple functions, regions, and roles—not as a definitive account, but as a way to connect the dots for myself and perhaps offer clarity to others. I don’t pretend to speak for everyone, but I hope this perspective resonates with those who lived it.
Goals
Anyone who knows me knows I like to set goals—writing this is no exception. From the beginning, I wanted this project to be more than just a recounting of my time at WeWork. I wanted it to have purpose and direction, both for myself and for anyone who reads it.
First, I hope this serves as a resource for past, present, and future WeWork alumni—something that helps make sense of significant moments in the company’s journey. For those who lived through it, I want this to capture the sentiments and dynamics of what it was really like to work at WeWork between 2017 and 2022.
Second, I want to connect each experience to a broader lesson—something actionable that readers can take forward. Whether you’re building a team, navigating challenges in your career, or reflecting on a turbulent period in your organization, I want these lessons to feel relevant and useful.
Finally, this is also about empowerment. By sharing what I learned—both the successes and the hard truths—I hope to give others the tools to recognize opportunities and risks in their own careers. It’s not just about avoiding mistakes; it’s about understanding how to move through uncertainty with purpose and perspective.
This isn’t just my story—it’s a reflection of the shared experiences of many who worked at WeWork during those years. My goal is to create something honest and helpful, and I welcome feedback from anyone who reads it. I’ll personally respond to all emails because I see this as an opportunity to continue learning and growing.