At first glance, it looked like the future of work. Open-plan spaces, kombucha on tap, and a promise to “elevate the world’s consciousness.” Founded in 2010 by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey, WeWork wasn’t just offering office space, it was selling a movement. By 2019, it had exploded into over 100 cities across 29 countries, racking up a jaw-dropping $47 billion valuation.

But underneath the glossy branding and community buzzwords, things were spiralling. Fast.

We dig into how WeWork’s entire business model was built on shaky foundations, leasing long-term real estate and subletting it short-term, inflating numbers, and at times leasing properties back to themselves. Add in Neumann’s erratic behaviour, outsized voting control, and eyebrow-raising personal enrichment, and you’ve got a business too caught up in the hype to see its own downfall coming.

We unpack how, post-collapse, WeWork has tried to rise from the ashes, this time with a focus on profitability, sustainability, and actually doing the work rather than just selling the vibe.

About Simon and Danielle:

Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.

Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.

Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.

Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.

Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.