Community-Interview: Dr. Sebastian Schmidt, CEO of SleevesUp

SleevesUp! is the leading provider of flexible serviced offices in Germany. In addition to fully equipped office space, coworkers are offered a modern infrastructure in various sizes to successfully realize their own projects in a prestigious working environment. There are already three locations in Frankfurt. We talked to Managing Director Dr. Sebastian Schmidt.

Hello Sebastian! Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself.
I don’t joke around.

Okay. Then we get into the next topic in all seriousness. What inspired you to found SleevesUp! and what were the hurdles at the beginning?
The idea was developed on the side when we were renting an office space with another start-up where we wanted to grow. Then it developed quite differently. So we had space for sub-tenants because we had rented a little too generous space. So we decided to rent out the remaining space. After all, the coworking went so well that SleevesUp! was born. From the first prototype in a secret annexe to today, we’ve had a long learning process that is still going on. How do you manage to make processes scalable? And how can we operate offices efficiently and profitably in a digital world? How can we keep prices affordable for our customers? We solved a lot of small challenges along the way, but as we grow we keep adding new ones. The “lockdown” caused by Corona, which hit us in the middle of a growth phase, was certainly particularly challenging. But we managed that too.

What is the difference between you and all other co-working spaces?
SleevesUp! is the only one supraregional network that offers a combination of professionalism and cost efficiency. We bring the advantages of flexible New Work models to where there is a need but no offer. We attach great importance to good accessibility and representative, fully equipped workspaces. Every SleevesUp! Coworking space offers the ideal office infrastructure so that people can realize their own projects in a modern and representative work environment. We guarantee flexible terms, fair tariffs with many included services and maximum transparency.

What changes has Corona brought to your company? How do you think our world will change in the future?
The trend towards remote work will have a lasting positive effect on our industry. Coworking, flex office, serviced office — whatever you want to call it: people will appreciate being able to use a professional location close to their place of residence as an alternative to the home office. Many companies will recognize this added value for their employees and will orient themselves in this direction in the long term. Coworking spaces and flex offices will probably become an integral part of the office landscape and the new workplace concepts sooner than later. Of course, the classic office won’t go away, but the world will become more flexible and office work will become more free in time and place.

What are the three most important qualities you think a great founder should have?
1. Enthusiasm
2. Empathy
3. Resilience

If you could spend an evening with a famous person, who would it be and why?
Barack Obama or Elon Musk — So many questions …

Thank you, Sebastian for this interview!

Learn more about Sebastian’s company SleevesUp! www.sleevesup.de
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