Since its first use in 2005, there has been no generally accepted spelling for coworking (or co-working) despite its explosion of popularity in Europe and North America. But in a way, this kind of fits the concept’s whole vibe. Coworking has thrived in the West because of its freedom, independence, and detachment from societal norms like the 9-5 office job. It allows professionals to work full-time from anywhere, like for instance Bali.
If you’ve stayed here for very long, it’s likely you’ve heard of or dropped by Hubud, the first ‘coworking space’ on the island and hub (get it?) for a group called the ‘digital nomads’. These are the adventurous freelancers and entrepreneurs who hop from one locale to the next, working out of coworking spaces and cafes along the way.
But coworking spaces aren’t just for the itinerant and one coworking space in Sanur is taking the concept of community, especially the local community, to heart.
Kumpul Coworking Space is perched both within and above Rumah Sanur, a ‘creative hub’ (there must be something about ‘hubs’) on Jl. Danau Poso in Denpasar’s sleepy corner. Physically speaking, the C-shaped space has six sitting-desks, two standing-desks and a couple of large communal tables, seating for upwards of 30. Every seat has easy access to electricity, there is kitchenette for snacks and drinks, and the wrap-around windows provide lots of natural light. There is a balcony, too, with a Kumpul member’s hammock (yes, he shares) and another table for breezy afternoons.
The thing is, a key factor to a successful ‘coworking space’ is, well, the space and its atmosphere. Kumpul’s owners, Faye and Dennis Alund, know this and have created what Dino Maiolo, a member from San Diego, California, called a “down to earth” vibe in more ways than one.
Maiolo, who specializes in web marketing and design and is a partner at an eco-retreat in Sukawati, has been to Bali a number of times and is currently two months into an eight-month stint on-island. Speaking on Kumpul’s balcony one morning, he said he enjoyed the “mixed crowed” that Faye and Dennis have built.
And it has been a conscious effort on behalf of the Alunds to balance their community as much as possible. This includes promotional prices for Indonesian citizens and partnering with community groups to bring in ‘locals’, not just Indonesians, but folks who have made Bali their home. For this, Sanur is an ideal location. It is easily accessible for almost all of southern Bali and Kumpul has drawn members from Gianyar and North Denpasar to Nusa Dua and the Bukit. The immediate area of Sanur and Renon also hosts an expat population that leans towards the long-term.
Faye is originally from Jakarta but met her Swedish husband, Dennis, while the two were working with Doctors Without Borders in Zimbabwe. Both are friendly, full of smiles, and focused on the meaning of kumpul. Faye gave credit to Dennis, who speaks Indonesian, for coming up with the name, which can be translated as either ‘coming together’ or ‘gathering’. Faye says she and Dennis see their business as a way to “bridge between the two communities” of expats and Indonesians.
In part, this is where the promotional prices for Indonesian citizens come into play but it goes beyond the economic incentive. Indonesians generally have such strong social circles that going to a place to network or using their job to make new friends often doesn’t compute. For prospective Indonesian customers, Faye, Dennis, or their manager Dimas will often go through the entire coworking concept, a more involved sales pitch to be sure, but one that has successfully brought in around 50 percent of their members.
Inez Natalia Putri, one of Kumpul’s newest members and an Indonesian herself, has high hopes for coworking in her country. “I think the coworking concept has a lot of potential to solve some of the problems in Indonesia,” she said. Inez, herself an ambitious NGO-worker, said that she felt like she was “part of the problem not part of the solution” living and commuting in Jakarta, so she moved to Bali and discovered Kumpul soon after.
It is people like Inez and Dino that coworking spaces such as Kumpul attract. Self-motivated and independent souls who can make a living with a computer and a stable internet connection (Kumpul has worked with Biznet to provide some of the strongest internet available in Bali).
But any coworking space worth its weight in nasi is more than just a space and scattered individuals; it’s an active community. So beyond the demographic balance there is another that must be struck. Kumpul hosts two or three events per week in either English or Indonesian, which cater to members and guests. These events are workshops or presentations often led by a member who shares their field expertise.
For example, Dino, the American web-marketer, will be hosting a talk on Search Engine Optimization (aka SEO or how to get your website onto Google’s first page) in a couple weeks and is planning another on website structuring. Another member (the one with the hammock), recently held a workshop on building your freelance portfolio. These workshops serve the dual purpose of networking and learning new skills and (perhaps most importantly) are often followed by a drink at a nearby bar. Really it’s about engaging members and creating a social space for the community to grow organically.
Kumpul seems to be striking the right balance in every way. It’s buzzing but not too busy or crowded and its diversity makes it a uniquely welcoming environment for Indonesian and bule alike. This is a tough note to hit in Bali where the barrier between local and foreigner is difficult to overcome. Most importantly, Kumpul has succeeded in spelling out the casual professionalism that is essence of the coworking lifestyle.
Photo at the top: Instagram @rumahsanur. All other photos courtesy of Kumpul
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