TL;DR
Start virtual inside coworking to signal credibility and keep costs light.
Scale coworking as your cadence grows.
Sign a lease only when control will produce returns that exceed the friction and fixed costs.
Stage 1 — Idea to First Clients: Virtual Office + Day Passes
Start here. You need signal and discipline without the drag.
Your address matches your community, your mail is handled, and you’ve got rooms for decisive meetings.
A founder at Impact once told me:
“The day my invoice had a proper address, people stopped treating me like a hobby.”
Internal links:
👉 Launch with our Virtual Office London
👉 Add a Coworking Day Pass for client days
Stage 2 — Consistent Pipeline: Virtual + More Coworking
Now you’re juggling calls, collaborators, deliveries. Book rooms easily.
Consider phone answering—it pays for itself if it rescues one lead a month.
Your ops must feel reliable to clients and to you.
Stage 3 — Small Team: Hybrid (Dedicated Desks + Virtual Office)
You’ve got rituals: stand-ups, client reviews, content days. Keep the same address.
Reserve a couple of dedicated desks or a small pod; let the rest flex with day passes.
You’re buying predictability without dead weight.
When a Lease Actually Makes Sense
Only sign when:
- Your team rhythm truly requires control over layout, access, and brand experience.
- The numbers work after including fit-out, insurance, repairs, and utility volatility.
- You can keep a runway even if a client leaves next month.
⚠️ I’ve seen great businesses stall because their founder became a part-time facilities manager. Don’t turn your sprint into admin.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Strengths | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual | Solo / early sales | Credibility, low cost | Meeting space add-on |
| Coworking | Growing pipeline/team | Flexibility, community, rooms | Availability at peak |
| Lease | Stable, scaled teams | Full control, brand immersion | Fixed costs, management |
Two Founder Paths I Recommend
- Lean Path: Stay virtual + coworking longer. Focus on sales, marketing, and product. Lease only when repeatable revenue + team rituals demand it.
- Momentum Path: As soon as delivery cadence needs predictable desks and equipment, lock a few dedicated desks and keep the rest flexible. Re-assess lease quarterly, not emotionally.
FAQs
Q1: Is a lease ever the goal?
Sometimes—but it’s a tool, not a trophy. Your customers don’t care how you pay for your chairs; they care how well you deliver.
Q2: Can I grow a serious business without leasing?
Absolutely. Many teams run beautifully on virtual + coworking for years, investing saved capital into product and marketing.
Q3: What’s the biggest early mistake?
Signing a lease for status, then losing focus on sales. Keep your attention on shipping value.
Q4: How do I decide between more coworking or a lease?
Ask: will control produce measurable returns (client experience, output speed) that exceed fixed costs? If not, hold off.
Q5: What if my clients need a “proper office” vibe?
Use meeting rooms and dedicated desks. Control the experience, not the building.
Call to Action
Start where momentum lives:
- Launch with our Virtual Office London
- Work alongside builders with Coworking Memberships
- Upgrade your client experience with Meeting Rooms