Meet Amy King | Co-Founder of Good Coworking + WELL AP

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy King and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, how do you think about risk?
From day one of my career, I was restless. Knowing there was a whole world of options to explore, I sought a variety of experiences. I never believed I belonged in just one place, and didn’t know what I wanted to do with my career. Yet my heart told me I could intuit my way into something fulfilling.

Knowing just two people in NYC and nothing about the city, I moved there without a job, assuming that I could temp for at least the summer and figure it out. The rhythm and pace of the city was intoxicating. I didn’t have any savings, but I did have the privilege of a credit card.

First hurdle was the temp agency. They wanted me to take a typing test. I was terrible at typing. Noticing that only women were asked to take typing tests, I assumed that would lead to only clerical positions. So as an act of rebellion, I found a way around the test! Long story short, I got my first big break, working as an assistant to the Head of Creative at a big ad agency. Sometimes a little risk taking (and rule breaking) can pay off.

Between that first job and launching my own business, there was a lot of risk taking: from moving to LA to break into the film business, to helping launch a documentary film festival in D.C. My biggest risk yet has brought the most reward, launching my own coworking business in Dallas, TX. I had never owned a business but had a strong vision for its purpose as an inclusive, socially and environmentally responsible workplace.

I seem to live and thrive with risk; It makes me feel I am living my life to the fullest without regret. No matter how each endeavor turns out, I know that I took the road less traveled, and my life will evolve as it is meant to be.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Good Coworking is the first coworking space in the nation focused on inclusive sustainability and wellness for entrepreneurs, non-profits, and innovators, powered by solar. We are incubating a responsible business culture, where we help individuals and organizations create a net positive impact on the world. Based in the 1808 building on South Good-Latimer in the Cedars, we’re forging a path for an emerging creative and industrial district with a sprawling green building that gives businesses and people room to grow and evolve. Our values are action, feedback, diversity, impact, play, sustainability, and wellness.

My path to my current role as business owner was a long and interesting one, from commercial producer in big NY advertising, to Community Director at a national non-profit. I have always risen to leadership roles in all of my previous jobs and when I was working at the U.S. Green Building Council in D.C., I learned about coworking as a concept. It was a career epiphany for me because I realized that I could meld the concepts of a healthy, sustainable, inclusive work culture, community building and business incubation. I moved to Dallas and began to network in the social impact and startup spaces, while building my dream of opening my own space. When I was doing some brand consulting, I met my now business partner, Steve, who owned LOFTwall, which designs modular partitions for flexible workspace. He mentioned that he was starting to develop properties and that was when I proposed opening a new coworking concept for Dallas.

The journey of getting the building built to LEED and WELL specs was a challenging, but rewarding one. I had a great team from day one and we started to attract people who wanted something different in a coworking community. First, they wanted to see people like themselves in the space, that means women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA people. They also wanted a welcoming, approachable culture, that didn’t preach the hustle culture. I’m very proud of the community that myself, my team and my members have built. It is 45% African American and 65% female, and we attract great, authentic people who find purpose in their work.

I heave learned a lot about running a business and I’m out to prove that you can do right by people and the planet, and be profitable. I love mentoring other women who are pursuing the dream of launching their own business, as I’ve learned a lot the hard way. I’m proud that we made it through the pandemic, thanks to the continued support of our members. I think that says a lot about our community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I enjoy spots that are off the beaten path and I’m also all about experiencing nature (aside from during the oppressive summers – ha).

For a quick experience, I’d start by giving my guests a tour of Good Coworking, then head over to the new Land of A Thousand Hills coffee in Deep Ellum, a new impact-focused coffee spot. Then we would go back into the Cedars to check out Brandy Adam’s WAAS Gallery for some art by women. After being inspired, we’d head West to catch lunch at the fierce and unforgettable Sandwich Hag. And we’d then stop at Lee Harvey’s for an adult beverage. We’d top it off with a movie at Alamo Drafthouse in the Cedars.

Some of my favorite walks include the Trinity River Audubon Center, Cedar Ridge Preserve, and Spring Creek Nature Preserve. I’d definitely be convening a hike hosted by Chicana in Nature,

Since I got sober and we entered a pandemic, I am less about the night life, but I do love the food in Dallas. My classic go-to’s in my East Dallas neighborhood are Cultivar Coffee, for community and incredible coffee, and GoodFriend Beer Garden & Burger House. A few of my favorite vegan spots are D Vegan and Nature’s Plate. I love Ka Thai for thai food and Teppo Yakitori Sushi Bar on lower Greenville is a classic. A new spot that caught my attention first in San Francisco is Hinodeya Ramen Bar, especially because they have a gluten free option. As the weather gets better, I plan on exploring the best bars for mocktails – look out Dallas!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My friend and Coach, Ginger Reid of Strengths Culture has been a powerful influence in my life and career. She always pushes me to reach my highest potential. I also could not be on this journey without the endless support of my amazing parents, Alice and Bob King.

Website: https://goodcoworking.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechiefeternaloptimist/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amymking/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNE-qGC-FJwgepZengq7r5g

Image Credits
Bethany Jones