If you strip away the nice furniture, the fast Wi-Fi, and the plants that may or may not be real, what’s left?
People.
And that’s what makes all the difference.
Most coworking spaces look pretty similar on paper: desks, coffee, meeting rooms, air conditioning that never pleases everyone. But community is what turns a place where people work into a place where they actually want to be.
At FICO, I’ve seen it happen again and again. Someone walks in for a free trial day, laptop in hand, thinking they’ll just get some work done, and somehow ends up staying for months, even years. Why? Because they find their people.
What “community” really means
If you google it (and yes, I did), it says:
“A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.”
Nice, but too cold.
Here’s my definition:
A group of humans who support each other, celebrate wins (even the small ones), and make Mondays feel a little less Monday-ish.
That’s what I wanted FICO to be from day one, not just a space to work, but a space to belong.
The FICOmmunity effect
People at FICO come from all over the world: Spain, Italy, the UK, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and so on… (and that’s just a Tuesday morning). Some of them moved to Las Palmas years ago and now call it home. Others are digital nomads passing through for a few weeks.
But what’s special is how easily connections happen here.
You might share a table with a designer in the morning and end up surfing together in the afternoon. Or grab a coffee with someone you just met, and suddenly you’re planning a side project together.
Why connection makes you more productive (and happier)
Let’s be honest, working remotely can get lonely. Sure, you save time on commuting and can wear your comfiest clothes all day, but after a while… it’s just you, your laptop, and the fridge.
That’s where community steps in.
When you’re surrounded by people who are motivated, creative, and genuinely good vibes, you want to show up. You work better, you take breaks together, you share ideas, and before you know it, work doesn’t feel so heavy anymore.
Science probably agrees with this, but even if it didn’t, I’ve got enough proof just by looking around FICO every day.
How to find “your people” when you work remotely
1. Say yes to things. Join that coworking lunch or afterwork drink, even if you don’t know anyone yet or you are “too tired to socialise”.
2. Show up consistently. You can’t build relationships if you pop in once a month. I mean, you could but if you are that good, you should probably do workshops about it. 3. Be curious. Ask people what they’re working on, why are they in Las Palmas… You never know where the conversation might lead.
4. Give before you get. Offer help, share your knowledge, introduce people. Community grows from generosity.
The truth is…
When I opened FICO, I thought I was creating a coworking space.
Turns out, I was creating a community.
And that’s what keeps me and everyone else here – showing up every day.
So if you ever find yourself in Las Palmas, come say hi. Bring your laptop, grab a coffee, and join the FICOmmunity.
You might come for a desk…
but you’ll stay for the people. ��