Tallahassee’s Domi Station is a startup incubator and nonprofit coworking space

During a time when coworking spaces are experiencing temporary closures and significant disruption from COVID-19, it’s increasingly difficult to support entrepreneurs with access to a strong startup ecosystem. Yet at Domi Station, memberships and virtual programs are thriving. The community remains driven by the belief that progress demands innovation and that startups provide a path forward. By encouraging racial diversity and offering programs for for women, entrepreneurs over 50 and university students, Domi Station stands out as leader in building a truly inclusive startup community. We spoke with coworking manager Laura Powers to learn more about what Domi Station has to offer local entrepreneurs.

Why did you decide to open a coworking space?

Domi Station was opened with the mission of educating and empowering entrepreneurs. We believe in inclusivity and are working towards building the most diverse startup community in the Southeast. At Domi, we strive to provide a productive, welcoming, and collaborative environment for everyone.

Tell us about your space. What kinds of amenities does it have? What makes it unique?

Our space at Domi Station has several different aspects that make it an exciting and engaging place to work. We offer different tiers of membership depending on our members’ needs, including office spaces, conference rooms, dedicated desks and a shared coworking space. We have a large space for presentations and gatherings that can be rented by different organizations in the community who want to get involved at Domi. We also have a lobby area with a coffee bar, kitchen and even a ping pong table! It’s important to us that our members feel that they are part of a community and are comfortable and happy with their working environment.

What is your favorite thing about operating a coworking space? 

Operating a coworking space is so special because it is something different every day. We are constantly engaging with our members and reaching out to new ones as well. Domi Station is an amazing place because we also have such incredible innovation from our members. We have the ability to see startups blossom and grow into amazing companies that really make a difference in our community.

What’s your favorite story about one of your members?

One of our favorite members stories is the story of Divvy Up. They started as students of Florida State University’s entrepreneurship program. They visited a local homeless shelter and learned that socks were one of the main things that the homeless needed. The Divvy Up team started their company with the mission of donating one pair of socks to the shelter for every pair purchased. Since their founding in 2014, they’ve gifted over 100,000 pairs of socks to those in need and are now a million dollar company. Their social philanthropy is incredibly inspiring and we are honored to have them as a Domi Station sponsor.

What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing about operating a coworking space?

Working at Domi Station definitely has some unexpected but exciting aspects. The thing that surprised me the most was how inviting the members are. They are genuinely happy to be a part of the community and are eager to share their knowledge with you. It’s a very welcoming atmosphere and I am blessed to be able to interact with our members on a daily basis. 

What advice would you offer to someone wanting to open a coworking space?

Take that leap! Operating a coworking space is like nothing you’ve done before and offers some amazing experiences. You’ll meet incredible people, learn new things everyday, and make a lasting impact in your community.

About Proximity

The Proximity software platform helps coworking spaces manage memberships, digital door access, conference rooms, reservations, billing, events and much more. View Proximity features or schedule a demo to learn more about what Proximity can do for your flexible workspace.

Domi Station-Proximity Network