In the challenging times we live in, MOB’s CEO Albert gives us his perspective on the sector and how to stay true to the essence of coworking.

It’s been two years since Albert Tisaire Ventura took the lead in the company and many things have changed. For starters—and following his architect’s spirit—all the refurbishment inside the spaces! But apart from that, other intangible things have changed: Albert is a humble CEO, friendly and attentive to every detail, and that warmth became part of the DNA of MOB – Makers of Barcelona. In this interview, he tells us about his journey with MOB, the real challenges of the sector and his collaborative vision of coworking spaces. Read on!

  • Introduce yourself 🙂

My name is Albert, and I manage MOB since 2020, when the pandemic just started (yayyy!). I basically oversee everything that happens in MOB, and these last months, refurbish everything I can to update the spaces (sorry, it’s my fault!)

  • What is your educational and professional background?

I studied architecture and had the opportunity to work and study both in Barcelona and Chicago. After coming back to Barcelona, I worked as a freelance architect (and I still do in my spare time!) until I was invited to participate in opening MOB Caterina. And since then, I’ve been involved in this beautiful project that is MOB. Finally, I still can’t consider it as background studies, but this month I’m starting university again to study Political and Social Sciences, so let’s see where it takes me!

  • What do you enjoy most about your work?

I still see myself a little bit as a freelancer, so I like to work in an environment where a lot of people can meet and work together. In this process, I’ve known a lot of new people and projects that I would have never known if I wasn’t here. Finally, I’ve learnt (and keep learning) a lot from many topics that have nothing to do with my studies. So in the end, MOB is a little lab where we can try different things (how to make an event, do sales, communicate, manage finances or maintain a space with its day-to-day needs). As we like to say, we want to provide a space to call home, a community to grow with and an environment to match everyone’s ambitions.

I still see myself a little bit as a freelancer, so I like to work in an environment where a lot of people can meet and work together. In this process, I’ve known a lot of new people and projects that I would have never known if I wasn’t here.

  • And the biggest challenge?

Survive after all that is happening in the world. That’s all I ask and want. Covid, inflation, electricity prices, wars… We’re living in complex times and we want to remain true to ourselves. Maintain our prices and our community, provide the best spaces possible while being cheerful, enjoying the process and making everyone comfortable in our home. One other important challenge that I recently have very present is the future of MOB. I’m in this position now, others have been in the past, and others will come in the future but MOB remains present. It has been here for almost 12 years now, and it would be beautiful if it stays here 12 more. I want to imagine that if I enter in 2034, I will have the same feeling and vibe than today.

We’re living in complex times and we want to remain true to ourselves. Maintain our prices and our community, provide the best spaces possible while being cheerful, enjoying the process and making everyone comfortable in our home.

  • What is your favourite spot in MOB spaces?

Pff, difficult question. I’ll say that it will be the new reception and entrance at MOB Bailen, which will be ready at some point this September 🤩

  • How do you see the future of coworking spaces?

Going one step back: what do you consider a “coworking space“? 😏 . I really like to ask that, because right now there are tons of coworking spaces, especially in Barcelona. But I do really think that there are only a few that are true to its meaning. Kudos to all those middle-sized coworking spaces that care for their communities and support them in the best way possible. Places like Betahaus, CREC, LaVaca, Sowo or TMDC have a unique soul and are colleagues and not competition in this journey. We like to look at them and see that we are all very much alike even though the years have passed. In our case, we call ourselves Makers of Barcelona because we want to keep a creative and innovative spirit, rooted in this city that we love, understanding what our community wants (or trying at least!), offering the best services and prices to freelancers and small companies, which are the true essence and reality of our economy. Maybe we’re not the fanciest, we don’t host big corporations, some of our pipes eventually leak and the printers fail at some point (why always printers?!), but we’ll always be there to help the best way possible, welcome everyone with a big smile when crossing our doors, and grow as a family.

So to sum it up: we don’t want “coworking spaces” to become real estate companies that just sublet spaces, we see the future of coworking as unique spaces to meet, grow, create and play.

Thank you!