Key Takeaways

• Co-working industrial spaces provide flexible, affordable alternatives to traditional warehouse leases.
• Shared facilities foster collaboration, mentorship, and networking among tradespeople and small contractors.
• Access to shared tools, logistics, and infrastructure helps reduce startup costs and improve professionalism.
• These spaces enhance business credibility through clean facilities, meeting rooms, and professional addresses.
• Lower overhead and shared safety management make it easier for tradespeople to innovate and scale sustainably.

Jon Wheeler, a seasoned real estate executive based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has built a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in commercial property acquisition, financing, and management. As CEO of Resurgent Realty Trust, he connects investors with high-value grocery-anchored retail centers across the United States, focusing on assets in markets with strong income growth and expansion potential.

Previously, Mr. Wheeler served as founder and CEO of Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust (NASDAQ: WHLR), leading the company from a private entity to a public REIT and expanding its portfolio to more than 70 properties valued at $600 million. Through his extensive industry experience, Jon Wheeler has witnessed the growing role of shared industrial spaces in supporting small business owners and tradespeople.

In this article, he explores how co-working industrial spaces empower independent contractors to work efficiently, collaborate, and grow their businesses.

How Co-Working Industrial Spaces Empower Independent Contractors

Co-working industrial spaces, or co-warehousing, are transforming how tradespeople run their businesses. Instead of relying on long-term warehouse leases or working out of vans and garages, tradespeople like plumbers, landscapers, electricians, and other small contractors rent compact and secure units, usually between 500 and 5,000 square feet. This warehousing model reduces the barriers to running a professional operation and turns fixed overhead into a scalable, flexible expense.

One of the key benefits of co-working industrial spaces is that it cuts costs and increases flexibility. Traditional industrial leases usually require multi-year commitments, substantial capital for build-out, and large footprints. Co-working industrial providers allow month-to-month or short-term leases, and built-in services like shipping bays, security, and Wi-Fi. Rather than tying cash up in property, a one-person electrical contractor or a two-person plumbing crew can convert previously idle space into growth activities.

Shared industrial spaces help tradesmen to build community and find complementary work. When different trades co-locate, word-of-mouth referrals, joint bidding, and subcontracting opportunities become easier. Co-workshops sometimes run mentor hours and peer networks that boost speed acquisition and business know-how for entrepreneurs in their early stages. So, co-working industrial spaces facilitate workforce skill development and small business formation.

Co-working industrial spaces also provide access to tools, logistics, and professional infrastructure. Many co-working spaces have packing and staging areas, storage racks, access to discounted shipping, receiving services, or shared equipment. For instance, contractors who need regular forklift access or a packing station for their products can use co-working industrial spaces, eliminating the need to invest in equipment. These facilities allow tradespeople to operate within a professional supply chain and storage capability that they would not have been able to access individually.

Co-working industrial spaces help tradespeople build stronger communities and learn faster. When different professionals work side by side, such as a plumber and a cabinetmaker, collaboration happens naturally. These shared environments encourage word-of-mouth referrals, partnerships, and joint projects that lead to business growth. Many spaces also host workshops, mentoring sessions, and peer networks that help new entrepreneurs gain skills and confidence. Studies show that makerspaces promote collaboration, skill development, and small-business growth, all of which are valuable for tradespeople moving from solo work to building teams.

Working from a professional and well-maintained facility also improves how clients view a business. A proper address, a clean meeting area, and space to showcase finished work create a stronger sense of trust. Many co-working industrial providers include shared meeting rooms and reception areas that help contractors present a more polished image. This professional setting not only enhances customer experience but also allows small business owners to charge higher rates and close more deals.

These spaces also make it easier for tradespeople to grow and diversify their income. Since co-working facilities reduce large overhead costs, business owners can test new ideas without taking on major financial risk. A landscaper might start a small hardscaping workshop, or an electrician could create custom electrical kits to sell. By lowering the cost of experimentation, co-warehousing environments encourage creativity and help small businesses expand their services and increase profitability.

Reputable shared industrial operators also handle safety and compliance, which can be challenging for small businesses to manage in-house. They handle insurance, site safety, and proper material storage while keeping the facility in good working order. Centralized management ensures that members follow local regulations and maintain safe work environments. This structure allows tradespeople to focus more on their craft and customers, knowing that their workspace meets safety and operational standards.

About Jon Wheeler

Jon Wheeler is a Virginia Beach-based real estate executive and CEO of Resurgent Realty Trust, where he connects investors to grocery-anchored retail centers across the United States. With over 40 years of experience in commercial real estate, he previously led Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, expanding its portfolio to more than 70 properties valued at $600 million.

A member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Mr. Wheeler specializes in identifying undervalued assets and delivering strong investor returns.

FAQs

What are co-working industrial spaces?

They are shared warehouse or workshop facilities that provide small contractors with affordable, short-term space and shared services like logistics, equipment, and security.

How do co-working industrial spaces help small business owners?

They lower upfront costs, simplify operations, and create community connections that lead to referrals and business growth.

What types of professionals benefit most from co-warehousing?

Tradespeople such as electricians, plumbers, landscapers, and fabricators benefit most due to flexible space and access to shared tools.

Do these spaces improve client perception?

Yes. Having a clean, professional location with meeting areas and a business address builds client trust and supports higher-value contracts.

How do co-working industrial spaces promote business innovation?

They reduce financial risk, enabling contractors to test new services or products without heavy upfront investment.