CSI has reopened its doors! From our CSI Spadina Laneway Coworking Popups to the opening of CSI Annex’s newly renovated kitchen, our meeting rooms, offices, and spaces are abuzz with celebration as we safely welcome members back to our beloved buildings. We caught up with five members back in office to see what they missed most, what they’re looking forward to, and what they can’t work without. Here are the five types of people you’ll meet in CSI’s coworking spaces:
The Barista
Adrienne Boyd
Role: Senior Program Specialist Organization: UrbanTrans North America
Where I work: CSI Spadina, fourth floor, dedicated desk
What’s it like being back in CSI? It’s been great returning to a big, sunny workspace that’s distraction-free. It’s also exciting just to see people again. I’m slowly getting used to it. Everyone’s respectful of the distancing and mask policies, so I’ve felt super comfortable coming back to a shared space.
What did you miss most about coworking? I really missed the balance of deep focus and social spaces that CSI has. It’s nice to say good morning to your neighbours and catch up in the lounge on a break. I usually get into the office a little earlier than most folks and get the coffee brewing – that’s where you can find me!
What are you most looking forward to? I’m really looking forward to having the alleyway space converted for member uses! It’s awesome that CSI is reclaiming an underused outdoor space to offer more options where we can safely meet, hang out, or host events.
What event, ritual or person are you most looking forward to seeing back in space? I love when folks bring in their dogs! They’re great office mascots and such a fun perk of working at CSI.
The Dog Lover
Tim Nash
Role: Founder Organization: Good Investing
What I do: I help people learn how to invest online and make intentional decisions about where they’re investing their money.
Where I work: second floor CSI Annex
What did you miss most about coworking? Bumping into friends on my way to get coffee; heartwarming conversations in between meetings.
What are you most looking forward to? Post-pandemic CSI Holiday Party
What won’t you miss about working from home? Feeling lonely
What did that time make you reflect on when it comes to the way you work? How easy it is to silo myself, and only hear the perspectives that agree with me
The Helper Outer
Maria Espinosa
Role: Relationship Strategist and Mobile Hair Stylist (and CSI PECA) Organization: Love Jones Empowerment
What I do: I help folks strategically up level their relationships, AND give snazzy haircuts to members of CSI!
Where I work: Hot desks when I’m working on my relationship coaching, and the 4th floor of CSI Spadina when I’m cutting hair.
What’s it like being back in CSI? It’s so great to feel the energy of other people.
What are you most looking forward to? Winning the next Holiday Cocktail/Mocktail Smackdown Event!!!!! (Hey Marcus, I’m talking to you!)
What kind of working style do you want now? I need CSI at least 3 days a week – a mix between hot desk area and meeting rooms.
The New-to-Space Member
Moustafa Kharma
Role: Business Development Strategist. Organization: Nahdet El Mahrousa
What I do: I oversee business development and communications for a social innovation incubator in Cairo, Egypt.
Where I work: second floor of CSI Annex
What’s it like being at CSI? It’s great having these small conversations every now and then around the kitchen and the hallways. I think I used to dread small talk pre-pandemic but now I’ve really come to appreciate it because a) any connection is better than no connection, and b) I started seeing it as a preamble for a deeper connection perhaps.
What did you miss most about coworking? I missed being exposed to cool businesses and projects people are working on. We can all read about cool projects online but getting to interact with the people behind them is special.
What are you looking forward to? I am looking forward to meeting more good people and being exposed to more great ideas. I also liked the ice cream Wednesday (Get The Scoop) we did last week.
The DECA
Esther Simera
Role: DECA Organization: CSI
What’s it like being back in CSI? It feels like a reboot, I’m excited to see what happens in this next phase.
What did you miss most about coworking? Being around so much good energy.
What are you most looking forward to? The rituals.
What event, ritual or person are you most looking forward to seeing back in space? Breakfast club is always rewarding.
