At Common Desk, we know that the right environment matters for business growth. To move from merely “getting by” to thriving, businesses require the right collection of resources to gain momentum. Recently, we sat down with Chelsea Norman, the Founder of CN Image Marketing, to discuss her journey from home-office distractions to finding a professional home at our Common Desk – Travis Park Plaza location.
Chelsea’s business tagline is “where creative vision meets strategic growth,” but she quickly learned that fostering vision is difficult when your workspace is shared with family and pets.
The Road to Travis Park Plaza
For Chelsea, the move wasn’t only about desk space; it was about escaping the trap of simple tasks taking hours to complete due to distractions. After attempting to work from home and local coffee shops, Chelsea found herself frustrated by noise, lack of structure, and the absence of a professional atmosphere.
When she began searching for coworking spaces in San Antonio, she visited a few local spots, but nothing felt quite right. “Some environments felt a bit all over the place,” Chelsea noted, “The cohesion was missing, and the building didn’t feel secure.” It wasn’t until she walked into Common Desk that she found the respectful, organized, and high-energy setting she was hoping for.
A Full-Circle Discovery:
Chelsea’s interest in coworking began in NYC in 2023, where she encountered the WeWork model for the first time. After studying the industry in a marketing capstone at UTSA, she discovered that Common Desk was apart of the WeWork family. Joining Common Desk – Travis Park Plaza felt like a full-circle moment.
From Day Passes to a Firm Foundation
While Chelsea originally intended to only use day passes, our team—Erica and Amanda—was eager to show her the value of the Shared Desk membership. During her tour, Chelsea’s lingering objections disappeared. Between the easy parking, the proximity to local lunch spots, and the sleek design of the space, the choice was a no-brainer.
Resources for Every Work Process
It’s Common Desk’s goal to be the go-to destination for professionals across industries. Since no two professionals are the same, we like to learn how our members utilize our resources for their specialized workflow. Chelsea eagerly shared the features and amenities she uses daily to scale CN Image Marketing.
- Conference Rooms: Chelsea uses her membership’s conference room credits weekly for collaborative editing sessions with her video editor, for high-stakes client meetings, and discovery calls with prospective clients.
- Variety of Workspaces: From desks to private chat booths and the wellness room, Chelsea finds herself utilizing the entire floor to keep her perspective fresh throughout the workday, as opposed to her home office, where she has one designated spot for the whole day.
- After-Hours Access: Common Desk’s extended hourly access for members has been a game-changer for avoiding San Antonio traffic and working on a schedule that fits Chelsea’s lifestyle—keeping her commute to and from the workspace low stress.
Real Results: Growth and Community
We love seeing our members succeed, and Chelsea is a prime example. Since joining us, she has already landed two new clients! By having a professional background for virtual calls and a dedicated space for face-to-face meetings, she has built a firm foundation for her brand, saying, “Common Desk’s atmosphere provides me with the confidence to grow my business. I can be myself, and my clients like the location too. I’m able to build my professional relationship with my clients in-person, whereas before I was tied to video calls.”
Beyond the aesthetics, Chelsea has leaned into the entrepreneurial spirit of our community. She shared with us how much she values being surrounded by fellow startups and professionals who can trade wisdom and support one another through the struggles of business ownership.
Chelsea admitted that everything you’ve heard about entrepreneurship is true. Building a business from scratch is as tough a task as they come, and Chelsea shared that she relates to the members at Common Desk – Travis Park Plaza uniquely, compared to individuals in her personal life.
“I love being surrounded by other entrepreneurs. I wasn’t in a coffee shop. I like hearing what other people are going through, and I get to pick up on their experience and exchange advice.
Not everyone here is in a seasoned business; many are startups like mine, so we talk about where we came from and how we got started. Few others do what I do, but the culture remains relatable regardless.”
Modernizing the Mission
Chelsea specializes in transforming service-based missions into strategic digital content. Some of her favorite projects include helping well-established, successful brands grow even bigger by bringing them into the digital environment.
“I work with a lot of longstanding, service-based businesses. I take traditional marketing strategies and apply them to the online landscape with creative, intriguing twists and give their brand a defined personality to stand on digitally.”
Seeing her bring that same modernization to her own workflow at Common Desk is inspiring. We’re proud to provide Chelsea with space where her creative vision supports the strategic growth of her growing client list.
Are you tired of simple tasks taking too long? Do you need a fresh perspective or want a network of professionals who get you?
If you’re looking for an all-in-one professional environment, visit our team at Common Desk – Travis Park Plaza. Book your tour online, buy a day pass, or stop by during our business hours: 8 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday!
Big thanks to Chelsea for being featured on the blog and being a valuable part of our Common Desk community. Want to connect with her? Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn today!
About Common Desk
Common Desk has been crafting workday experiences since 2012. It currently serves thousands of professionals across its network of flexible office locations, cultivating a thriving community of freelancers, small businesses, fast-growing tech companies, and enterprise businesses. Common Desk’s workday brand portfolio also emphasizes craft coffee experiences, adding to the customized amenities that enhance workdays for members and guests alike. Common Desk was acquired by WeWork in 2022, becoming the first coworking brand bought by the global company. For more information, visit thecommondesk.com.
About CN Image Marketing
CN Image Marketing, founded by Chelsea Norman, is a San Antonio-based digital marketing agency focused on providing businesses with the necessary tools to grow and reach their goals online. From social media management to website design and content creation, everything we do is based on clarity, consistency, and helping your business connect with your audience. For more information, visit https://cnimagemarketing.com/.
