Escaping Burnout and Building Community with Suzanne Murdock

Hello, Emily here! In this episode of the Coworking Values Podcast, I sit down with Suzanne Murdock, co-founder of The Hub Newry and an experienced coach and mentor for micro and SME coworking space operators.

Suzanne shares her journey from corporate to building a thriving coworking space in Northern Ireland.

Together, we explore how coworking has evolved in rural communities, the importance of creating spaces that foster a sense of belonging, and the challenges of balancing family life and entrepreneurship.

Suzanne also delves into the power of small, community-based workspaces and how they can transform the lives of freelancers, solopreneurs, and remote workers.

We discuss the key factors that led to her success, including understanding diverse personalities, creating flexible spaces, and learning to "keep it agile" in business and personal life.

Detailed Episode Breakdown:

[00:34] – Introducing the Community Builders Cohort and the episode’s sponsor, Nook Wellness Pods.

[01:01] – Suzanne Murdock explains her coaching and mentoring focus for micro and SME flexible workspace operators.

[03:22] – The challenges of starting a coworking space in Northern Ireland and the family-like community that developed.

[06:19] – The personal motivations behind transitioning from the corporate world to launching a coworking space.

[09:19] – How coworking offers a solution to burnout and a more fulfilling work-life balance.

[13:00] – Growing organically with the coworking community and adapting to the needs of solopreneurs and remote workers.

[19:29] – Leveraging the coworking space ecosystem: collaborating with accountants, digital agencies, and other experts.

[24:04] – Suzanne’s involvement in ResMove, a European project focused on supporting migrants, small entrepreneurs, and diaspora members through coworking spaces.

Links & Resources

• The Hub Newry

• Suzanne’s Powering Productivity Podcast

• Nook Wellness Pods

• Coworking I.D.E.A. Project

• Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn

• Join the next Community Builder Cohort

• Register your space for European Coworking Day, May 2025

• Get your pass for the Workspace Design Show London 2025

• Join the 7k people in the LinkedIn Coworking Group

• Connect with Emily on LinkedIn

• Connect with Suzanne on LinkedIn

One more thing

Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values.

Please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for the Coworking Values Podcast; it helps our show have an even greater impact.

It also helps people in the general public and your neighbourhood understand coworking, how it can benefit their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects, and work.