Kindred stories
The Kindred experience, as told by our members
Community is everything to us at Kindred. Whether through tailored introductions, community events, or weekly check-ins, everything we do is dedicated to forging genuine human connections.
Here's what our members have to say about life at Kindred.
Alex Yalen
Novelist
I’d seen the major tourist sites, but I had no truly unique, personal experience here. I gave myself two objectives: to advance my own writing work, and to become personal with this city, something similar to what my wife feels, like having an “ownership stake” here. I am not a natural friend-maker so I also felt this would also be a good personal challenge, a good growth opportunity.
Back when offices were a thing, my wife’s office was right across from the Kindred building. As soon as she spotted it and pointed me there, I knew I had to check it out. I stuck my head in, thinking I would find a place that was chic and cool–but would I fit in there, would I be comfortable working, eating and drinking there?
I did a trial week, and within a day or two, the Kindred team knew my name. I wasn’t just a body showing up–I was recognised and welcomed. That told me, right off the bat, this co-working space, this club, was something different. Just sitting in and listening to the Monday coffees wowed me; the amount and quality and diversity of the talent belonging here, made me want to also belong.
It was instantly clear this wasn’t just a desk-rental widget zone, this was a dynamic environment that I could draw from in my own way.
Early on, I remember comparing Kindred to a place that I left behind in Los Angeles, a little coffee shop in Burbank, called Priscilla’s. You have to understand, Priscilla’s is the best coffee shop in the world (not exaggerating.) It’s a place where I had “my” table seat, it’s a place where the baristas and owners are also friends with the hard-working creative people they see every day for coffee and tea and pastries. The flow of interesting people doing cool work is always going, going, going. And that’s the vibe I got at Kindred, right way, with no pretense, no effort at all. It was just there.
Then, obviously, coronavirus struck.
Coronavirus interrupted everything in so many head-spinning ways it’s difficult to put in words.
Throughout the changing rules-and-regs, Kindred has been steadfast; they’ve always found a way to show up for its people.
In most hardened, locked-down part of lockdown, Kindred put together Zoom programming that helped keep me sane, because it gave me an immediate, local connection.
When the building re-opened, the work that went into doing it–there was an “all in” mentality toward keeping the doors open and doing it safely. The space is spotless; the food and drinks are outstanding–I’ve been able to get an immense amount of work done. I deeply admire both parts of the equation: the work ethic, and the results.
Now I’m preparing to return to the states. I am sad to be leaving Kindred, and also the Hammersmith & Fulham borough. But I’m also aware that I have made deep relationships through this space, and those aren’t going away.
Really, it has been a privilege to belong here, and I look forward to bringing this vibe back to California with me.
Geraldine Spurway
Leadership performance coach
Ronnie Rich
Founder of FitBanker
Kay Morgan
Founder of Kay PA Services
"Being an entrepreneur can feel quite lonely sometimes, hence why I wanted to find a place where I could not only work, but also connect with like-minded individuals, from all walks of life.
My first day at Kindred was everything I could have hoped for, if not even more. I was warmly welcomed by the lovely Anna and quickly introduced to Jaz with whom I connected straight away on so many levels. I felt immediately at ease in this very cosy and relaxed environment.
Furthermore, I was introduced to fellow entrepreneurs during the 60 seconds event, connecting with more people in a day than I did in 6 months in another co-working space! Being a coach myself, I really enjoyed the “check-in” start of the week at 11am on Monday, giving everyone the ability to plan and visualise our goals for the month, but also to share ideas and words of encouragement and motivation.
I am excited to be joining the community and I look forward to attend further events in the future!”
"An environment where we get unlimited use and access for a flat (very reasonable) membership fee, with both focussed quiet work areas and more sociable working areas. As a coaching business, if I need a graphic designer, marketing ideas or fundraising conversations I just have to ask any of the members, and someone knows someone.
What I love most is we feel like creators and we can mould this into what we want with contributing ideas around events, facilities - and my more recent favourite: some healthy kombucha on the menu!”
"I tried several who promised a sense of community, but didn’t really deliver. Then I found Kindred and it quickly felt like home thanks to the friendly staff and like-minded members.
The weekly events such as Monday's coffee morning and 60 second networking really help you get to know your fellow members and I love how the space transitions from workspace to cool bar lounge by 6pm.
Becoming a Kindred member is honestly the best thing I’ve done, both personally and professionally, in a really long time!"
Daniel Schulz
Founder of Content&Creative
Sallar Al-Mulla
Founder of Omami
Barbara Geier
Communications & Content specialist
"Kindred took that fear away from me completely. It doesn’t feel like a “normal” coworking space. Every single fibre there screams social: from the way they select their members to complement each other, to the way they build their community through events and team interactions.
Within days I felt like I had become part of a community that I can count on. Be it for the amazing opportunities to collaborate and grow my business or for the plentiful friendly banter – I wouldn’t want to miss a single day of coming here."
"I have met some incredible people who have helped propel my project forwards with their collective expertise. Communal idea generation and networking is at the forefront of the team behind Kindred, always excelling in promoting cross collaboration.
Informal events such as the weekly 60 second networking, helps bring people together, explores potential synergies and aids problem solving and it's a great way to meet new people from all walks of life; budding entrepreneurs, social reformers and established mentors, all forming the backbone of the Kindred community.
Credit must be given to the Kindred team, who have created something special here."
"Particularly coming back here after lockdown was such a relief and with the amazing interior design revamp, it looks and feels even better than before.
A proper home-from-home, where you meet people you wouldn’t otherwise and a super lovely team. I hardly spoke to anyone in the other places I worked in but here, I have easily fallen into conversations with other members (special note to introverts like me :). I enjoy coming here everyday - it’s really, really good to have a place (and community!) like Kindred in your life."
José Olivares
Digital innovation specialist
Emily Wijeyesinghe
Marketing executive
Wenjing Shi
Founder of Nous Fashion
"Globally-recognised speakers, a great community of entrepreneurs and a team always creating connections between members are part of their great recipe.
It feels it is one of those unique places where the next unicorn startup or social trend will be born soon."
"The beauty is that you never know where the conversation will lead and it's a great way to meet other members. See you there with a lychee martini!"
"And Kindred are so helpful for members networking, I found quite a few potential business collaborators here, definitely extra bonus!
Besides, great vibe and good price food, different topic evening events, from business to art, life, you can always find what you like in Kindred!!"
Want to learn more about joining our community?