Coworking and the Spirit of Community

We know that with everything going on it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. With this event impacting so many people—BLOC included—we have been spending a lot of time reflecting on the situation, the importance of community, and what we can do to remain positive and optimistic.

Like many other small businesses, BLOC is also suffering hardships. Which keeps us coming back to how important our North County San Diego community is and what things will look like when this is all over. We are determined and hopeful, for not only BLOC to return, but for our small business partners to as well.

With that, BLOC took a portion of our membership income from April and redistributed it amongst some of our key community partners that we and our members know and love. We feel strongly that people will be remembered for how they handled this unprecedented time and we want to be remembered as a company, that even when faced with severe economic challenges, made efforts to lift up others.

Here are some of the businesses we helped support with the help of our community:

• Encinitas Small Business Support Fund
• Lofty Coffee Co.
• Jeune et Jolie
• Campfire
• Choice Juicery
• Board & Brew
• Verve Studios
• Superfood and Company
• Native Poppy
• Homestead Solana Beach
• Fish 101 

Other interesting finds from Week 4 in quarantine…

1. We’re holding virtual member meetups instead of in person ones. They’re small, but it’s been so nice to check in with people each week.
2. Several of our members have offered pro bono assistance to our community. It’s amazing to see people rally together and use their skills to help others.
3. Is it just us or is the news especially difficult to watch these days? Let’s watch Some Good News instead.
4. Are you a female entrepreneur in need of assistance due to COVID-19? Check out The Red Backpack Fund, which is awarding 1,000 women with $5,000 each.
5. Even in a global pandemic, the American “hustle culture” still persists. But maybe there’s something to be said against productivity in these times.
6. Stop taking Zoom calls in the dark. People want to see you!
7. We’re all living the same shut-in life these days, so there is a lot less to miss out on.
8. In response to shortages, local San Diego distillers are shifting production from booze to hand sanitizer.
9. Do you or someone you know have a birthday in April? Looks like you’re gonna party like it’s 2020!
10. There is so much peace to be found in people’s faces. We’re never lost if we can find each other.