Donna Klein never set out to run a coworking space.
In fact, she started with a completely different mission: supporting a real estate group with marketing and handling phone lines. But the property — a sprawling commercial space located just north of Raleigh in Youngsville, North Carolina — had potential beyond its original intent.
With two large buildings on 36 acres, Workspace Provision Co. found itself at the heart of a budding vision for a close-knit business community.
And that’s how Klein found herself stepping into a role she hadn’t quite anticipated. When the founders suggested adding coworking management in addition to the phones and marketing, it wasn’t difficult to convince Donna. Her team not only embraced the challenge, but put her in charge of it. “I’ve never managed a coworking space,” Klein recalls with a smile. “I was like, isn’t there somebody better at this than me?”
But with encouragement, she took on the role, bringing her technical and community-building skills to this new venture. Today, Klein is on a mission to make Workspace Provisions not just a workspace but a place that’s deeply connected to the local community.
The unique advantage of Workspace Provision isn’t just its location or amenities—though those are formidable. It’s the community vision that Klein and her team have crafted. Unlike some coworking spaces, which primarily attract freelancers and small teams, Klein wants to cultivate a network of entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses that can connect and grow together.
“We are trying to provide a community here that will increase your chance of success,” Klein says.
It’s a purpose-driven approach, where business owners find not just office space but access to networking, educational events, and resources that align with their needs. She believes in offering a well-rounded experience that goes beyond desks and Wi-Fi, creating a launchpad for local entrepreneurs and small businesses to succeed.
The space’s programming, too, already reflects this mission. For example, Klein has launched an eight-week program led by Mark Scarborough, of Encompass Financial Group, a financial advisor, aimed at helping members improve their lead generation and cash flow. The hands-on sessions are designed to give entrepreneurs actionable guidance to grow their businesses.
“By the end of the eight weeks, he hopes to have improved their leads, improved their cash flow, or at least given them a solid foundation,” Klein explains. It’s this emphasis on practical help that makes Workspace Provisions stand out.
Workspace Provision Co. isn’t just about work. It's about building a community rooted in shared values.
Klein has introduced a faith-driven entrepreneur group that meets weekly, bringing together business owners who view their work as a way to serve their community. “The whole point is to improve our community—not just our workspace community, but our larger community,” Klein says. She believes that small businesses and entrepreneurs are the creative lifeblood of the area, and she’s determined to support them.
By hosting regular networking events and creating an environment of collaboration, Klein is building a space that feels both like a place of work and a place of purpose. Some members, she notes, are active participants, attending events and embracing the networking opportunities. Others may simply come for their mail or use the office sporadically. “It’s all about meeting people where they are,” she says, recognizing that each member’s engagement looks different.
One look at the amenities at Workspace Provision and it’s clear this isn’t your average coworking space.
From a state-of-the-art gym with shower facilities to a large outdoor kitchen and patio, Klein and her partners, Wes Reynolds and Bryan Wall, have worked to create a space that combines work and wellness. “We’ve got a full rotisserie grill, burners, a sink, a refrigerator—all outside,” she says with pride, describing the patio that can seat 45 people.
Inside, Workspace Provision offers a versatile training room that accommodates 50 people, complete with a drop-down screen and whiteboards on all sides. It’s a space that’s as functional for corporate training as it is for community events. Klein knows how important it is for Workspace Provisions to serve as a resource, not only for coworking members but also for other professionals in the community looking for event space.
While Klein actively promotes these amenities through the website and social media, she acknowledges that her most effective marketing tool is simply being present in the community.
“If I can’t get out there, we slow down,” she says, noting that the months when she couldn’t attend networking events coincided with a dip in new members. As the only full-time person running the space, Klein faces the constant challenge of being pulled in different directions. “I’m stretched incredibly thin,” she admits, hoping that soon she’ll be able to bring on additional help.
Big plans are in the works for Workspace Provision Co.. The rapid growth in the Youngsville area means that new opportunities are constantly emerging. Located near a prestigious private school and planned residential developments, Klein envisions Workspace Provisions evolving to meet a range of community needs, from workspace to daycare solutions for working parents.
“There are so many ways that this could go,” she says, eyes on the potential of the growing population around her. One of her aspirations is to create an incubator-like environment similar to eMYRge , a coworking space in Myrtle Beach , known for supporting entrepreneurs through funding and grant navigation. Klein sees Workspace Provision serving a similar purpose, connecting local business owners with resources to help them scale their ventures. “If they come to us with good ideas, we want to be known for helping them figure it out,” she says.
Klein knows that Workspace Provisions is uniquely positioned to play a role in the area’s economic development. With the backing of the local economic development team and her partnerships with other community-focused organizations, she’s determined to make Workspace Provision an anchor for local growth. It’s a mission that Klein approaches with humility, knowing that the true value of the space lies in its responsiveness to the needs of its members.
As Klein says, “I want to hold this vision with an open hand and let it grow in the way it needs to.” Her approach is flexible and community-centered, trusting that as Workspace Provisions grows, it will continue to be a meaningful hub for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community members alike.
Meet Audrie McHenry, a tireless entrepreneur who recently shifted her own office into a community asset: My Desk Cafe, a coworking space in suburban...
Tiffany White uses her deep experience in coworking and social justice to launch her own consulting practice, Sage Consulting. Coworks got to learn...
Gig East Exchange was born as a dedicated coworking space so entrepreneurs didn't have to leave Wilson North Carolina. Now it's a hub for startups...
