All work and no play turned Jack Torrance into a psychopath with a roque mallet, so it’s a good thing that Common Desk understands the essential balance between business and pleasure.
Make no mistake — the inhabitants of the Deep Ellum coworking space are dedicated to the grind. A haven for tech entrepreneurs, artists and those just tired of working from home or the coffee shop, Common Desk nurtures the working spirit by creating a fun atmosphere where it’s okay to take a break from the busy work schedule for a surprisingly intense ping pong tournament.
Where else does a conference room meeting table double as a ping pong table?
“I’m friends with so many people there, I don’t really feel like I’m going to work,” Aaron King says.
But some spirited table tennis is just the tip of the iceberg at Common Desk. See, the “co” in “coworking” is important to fostering an environment of inclusion among a bunch of people that aren’t necessarily working on the same project.
That’s why every Wednesday, Common Desk owner Nick Clark rounds up the troops for a lunch at a Deep Ellum joint like WorkBar, where Common Deskers can get a burger, fries and a drink for just $7.
Really, there’s something planned every day of the week to bring people together. Monday mornings bring cinnamon rolls, while Tuesday nights feature teams at the Sandbar Cantina for volleyball or a game of dodge ball when it’s too cold.
Speaking of cold, Common Desk knows that nothing helps relieve the mind like a cold beer, which is why it hosts a happy hour every Thursday evening with beer on tap, though people have been known to rally the troops to a watering hole like Craft & Growler or Angry Dog.
Common Desk understands that while Dallas is a great city, and Deep Ellum is one of its most vibrant communities, a change of scenery does wonders for the mind.
Just recently, a handful of members spent a week at Lake Tahoe, enjoying the non-Texas summer as only motivated entrepreneurs could — by working on a patio in the morning taking in the scenic views and spending the afternoon outdoors.
Aaron King, who has been running King Sports Training out of Common Desk for nearly eight months, was one of the members to visit Lake Tahoe.
“It was great to get out of the heat and change up the scenery,” he says. “I was able to get a new perspective on my work while getting away from the busyness of Dallas. Being with other entrepreneurs, we were motivated to get our coffee, get to the patio and knock out our work. The natural scenery really helped me unwind and put more enjoyment back into my work.”
Though it was the first trip of its kind for Common Desk, the Lake Tahoe trip proved that these kind of coworking excursions are worth continuing. Thanks to a partnership with coworking spaces around the country, Common Desk has plenty of opportunities. The next trip is rumored to be New York in the fall.
And even if you’re already committed to an office space for your 9-to-5 job, Common Desk offers a nighttime membership that costs only $100 per month, perfect for any side projects or dreams you’re trying to get off the ground.
“The biggest thing about Common Desk is that you have a lot of like-minded people around you,” King says. “I’m friends with so many people there, I don’t really feel like I’m going to work.”
Nick Clark, left, talks with guests at an in-house happy hour.
