Behind the Desk: Real Stories from Our Coworking Community

When you walk into a Thrive Workplace, you might first notice the scent of freshly brewed coffee or the quiet buzz of laptops and collaborative chatter. Maybe you hear a spontaneous burst of laughter from the kitchen or a welcome call from behind the front desk. A brainstorming session unfolds in a glass meeting room while someone quietly takes a Zoom call with their headphones in. But beneath the surface, something deeper is always happening: relationships are forming, stories are being shared, and connections are growing. 

In this feature, we bring you coworking community stories from both sides of the desk — from the people who run the show to the professionals reimagining what work can feel like. These are real coworking experiences, filled with purpose, connection, and inspiration. 

The Site Manager Who Knows Everyone by Name

Ask anyone at Thrive Cherry Creek “Who keeps the space running smoothly?” and you’ll hear one name repeatedly: Cara Jansen. As a Site Manager, Cara wears many hats. She’s a community leader, ops manager, mail sorter, customer service, and coffee brewer extraordinaire, but her superpower is something far simpler: knowing people and caring deeply.

When asked to describe the space in just three words, she chose: “Community, Support, and Joy.” That might sound like a tagline, but Cara lives it out every day. From brewing the coffee to greeting each member by name, her goal is simple: “I want every person who walks through our doors to feel instantly at ease and like they are coming home,” she says.

Her Thrive journey started part-time at the West Arvada location. With encouragement and coaching from leadership, she quickly rose through the ranks to become Site Manager at all four Thrive locations over her four-and-a-half-year tenure. Her standout memory? A conversation with a company leader during her first week.

“My first week of working with Thrive that Friday afternoon, Chris Adams came up to me around 4pm, poured me a drink and sat behind the front desk with me to ask me not only how my first week had gone but to truly get to know me better as a person. We ended up staying, talking, and getting to know one another until almost 7:30pm that night. I remember thinking I had never felt so cared for, important, or generally respected at a job. To have one of the leadership team members take the time to know me and treat me as an equal was such a poignant moment where I realized this place was going to be family not just work.”

When it comes to new members, Cara’s approach is simple and powerful: “I smile, make eye contact, ask a question, and actually listen to the answer. Listening is a lost art. I want everyone to feel valid, seen, and respected here.”

For Cara, coworking culture is all about shared experience. “Thrive isn’t just a place where businesses grow; it’s where people grow, too. We celebrate every victory together, big or small. That’s what community means.”

From Corporate to Coworking: A Remote Worker’s Journey

For Thrive Member Victoria De La Torre, joining a coworking space wasn’t just a career move — it was a reclaiming of life. Today, she’s a Concierge for Happy Homes in Colorado, managing everything from client communications to partner relationships. But just a few months ago, she was working in a global law firm, teaching attorneys how to conduct research, all while navigating the isolating world of remote work.

“On paper, it looked ideal,” Victoria says. “But I was working long hours, rarely leaving the house, and becoming more disconnected by the day. My breaking point came when my son told me, ‘No, Mama stays in the office.’ That was a wake-up call I couldn’t ignore.”

She made the brave choice to leave the stability of the firm and join her husband’s small business. In doing so, she also made the move into coworking. “Since joining Thrive, my work/life balance is the healthiest it’s ever been,” she says. “I’m busier than ever, but I get to socialize with other professionals, take real breaks, and spend intentional time with my family.”

Victoria’s favorite spot? “Sitting at the bar near the front desk. I can smell what’s cooking, chat with members, and feel plugged into the energy of the space. It reminds me to take care of myself during the day.”

Coworking has boosted not just her routine but her creativity. “It’s inspiring to be surrounded by people who are energized and working hard. I’m more focused than I’ve ever been.” She also praises the Thrive culture for its inclusivity and vibrancy. “It’s amazing to connect with people and businesses I’d never meet otherwise. We help each other grow just by being in proximity.”

Her advice for others feeling stuck or isolated? “Even if you feel chained to your desk, you can always put that desk somewhere new, or throw it away entirely. Life is short. Don’t sacrifice time with the people you love for a job that doesn’t serve you.”

Building a Culture, Not Just a Space

If Thrive Workplace feels like more than just a place to work, that’s because it is. People like Caitlin Sexton, Thrive’s Community & Business Development Manager, make this possible. Her journey through Thrive is testament to the culture-first ethos that defines the brand.

“Evolving, Reliable, and Fun,” Caitlin says, when asked to describe Thrive in just three words. And from the moment you meet her, it’s clear she embodies all three.

Her Thrive story began in 2019 as a part-time Community Associate at the West Arvada location. “After a few months, I knew this was a company I wanted to grow with,” she says. That passion quickly translated into new opportunities — from helping launch Thrive Centennial, to managing the Cherry Creek, to today, where she oversees community and business development across all four Thrive sites.

No two days are the same for Caitlin. “I try to visit each location once a week to catch up with my team and connect with our members,” she says. “I’m either fielding questions, lifting IKEA desks across the building — seriously, I think every member has seen me do this — or focusing on projects to push the company forward.”

But her role goes far beyond logistics. Caitlin is deeply attuned to the social architecture of coworking. For her, community isn’t a vague concept or a marketing term. Community is about “finding joy in shared experiences and learning and growing with one another.” That shared momentum is what gives Thrive its soul.

And while each location shares the same Thrive DNA, Caitlin is quick to point out what makes each site unique:

• West Arvada offers a “neighborly feel” where “time really flies when you’re catching up with a buddy at the coffee bar.”

• Ballpark is “bursting with creativity and possibility,” filled with members “making big ideas a reality.”

• Centennial buzzes with “positive energy and a truly entrepreneurial spirit.”

• Cherry Creek is her “old faithful,” a “reliable and consistent presence” in a fast-changing neighborhood — a “hidden gem” in her words.
• Castle Rock, Thrive’s soon-to-be 5th traditional coworking location, is a “fresh start”, a “canvas waiting to be painted on.”

It’s these subtle differences that bring texture to the Thrive coworking experience and allow each community to form its own rhythm while still being connected to a larger purpose.

When members walk in, Caitlin’s goal is to greet them with “a big ol’ smile and a warm introduction,” and to help them feel not just welcome, but eager. “Eager for productivity, for connection, for fun,” she explains. “I want people to feel like this is a place where they can get sh*t done and have a few laughs along the way.”

Her favorite Thrive traditions like the Annual Chili Cookoff, Thrive-giving, and the Holiday Tree Cutting help deepen that connection. “For an out-of-towner like me, those moments make me feel the most grounded in this community,” she shares.

Conflict, of course, is inevitable in any shared workspace. Caitlin handles challenges with calm practicality. “I try to identify the facts first, then filter through perceptions to get to the root issue. My first solution might not always work, but if I stay calm and persistent, people genuinely appreciate the effort.” She adds with a laugh, “Also… I’ve learned that HVAC will always cause problems in a shared space.”

And when asked how she remembers so many names and faces? “No tricks needed,” she says. “I just have a really great memory.”

In the end, Caitlin believes that building community means being present, adaptable, and fully invested. “There isn’t one moment that sums up my time at Thrive,” she says. “Every interaction has been impactful. And most of all, it’s the people I’ve met along the way who’ve made the biggest difference.”

Because at Thrive Workplace, it’s not about creating a space to work; It’s about cultivating a place where people grow together.

Why Culture Is the Real Amenity at Thrive Workplace

In a shared workspace, it’s often the little things that make the biggest impact. It’s not just the coffee or the conference rooms… it’s the spontaneous conversations, the everyday surprises, and the unexpected support that redefine what “working together” really means. At Thrive Workplace, these moments aren’t the exception, they’re the norm.

For LeVon Terry, a Thrive member and local entrepreneur, his experience speaks volumes:

“The unexpected support I’ve received from the Thrive Workplace and the Thrive Services team has truly been a game-changer. It’s easily one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business.”

It’s a sentiment echoed across Thrive’s locations by startups, freelancers, remote workers, and small business owners alike. Whether you’re here for a private office, a dedicated desk, or just a productive day at a coworking hot desk, the Thrive experience is all about being part of a genuine, supportive community.

“As a startup founder, it’s easy to feel like you’re building something all by yourself, but Thrive flipped that script. From impromptu brainstorming sessions with other members to the Thrive Services team helping me streamline operations, I’ve gained far more than just office space. I’ve found real momentum here.” – Jonny Mark

You’ll find these “snapshot moments” outside of Thrive Workplace’s operating hours. We’ve had the honor of helping local families host graduation parties, retirements parties, and corporate events in our event spaces because Thrive isn’t just about work, it’s about celebrating life’s milestones too. Read more on the blog → Celebrate Life’s Special Moments at Thrive.

Every Thrive location has its own unique energy, but what ties them all together is the culture. A culture built not on features, but on people. Because if there’s one thing these stories make clear, it’s this: the true value of coworking isn’t found in an amenities list. The real value is found in the way someone remembers your name (and your dog’s), in the energy of a spontaneous brainstorm, or in the support you didn’t know you needed until it was there. These aren’t extras—they’re the heartbeat of the Thrive community.

As longtime Thrive staff member Cara puts it:

“You’re not just a number. You’re part of something here.”

And that something might just be what your workday has been missing.