Meet the Board: DeShawn Brown on Operational Excellence and Thoughtful Leadership

DeShawn Brown’s path to coworking started long before the industry had a name. While studying Computer Science at North Carolina State University, he became one of the first students to help prototype the university’s “Entrepreneurship Space,” a small office suite where aspiring founders could whiteboard ideas, collaborate, and build together. It was called the E-Garage, and it’s where DeShawn launched his first company.

That early experience sparked something. After graduating, he founded Lithios, a software design and development studio that helped startups and enterprises take ideas from concept to app store. “Technology was always a means to an end for me,” he says. “I was searching for a way to create unique experiences while solving technical problems. Entrepreneurship was that perfect blend.”

Eventually, as his team grew, DeShawn rented a traditional office, but something felt off. His employees kept drifting to nearby coffee shops, and the energy of the space didn’t match the creativity of the work. That’s when he discovered coworking. “As soon as we moved in, I saw what had been missing. There was community, innovation, and momentum. It helped us get to the next level.”

Today, DeShawn is the founder and CEO of Coworks, an end-to-end coworking management platform designed to support operators, managers, and members alike. “We built Coworks to supercharge community managers and flex space teams,” he explains. “Our goal is to give them the tools to manage operations, build community, and understand how their space is performing, all in one place.”

For DeShawn, this isn’t just a business opportunity. It’s personal. “We were members before we became builders. We saw firsthand how hard it is to scale while still delivering an amazing experience. That’s what keeps me going, knowing we’re helping operators be their best selves and build something meaningful.”

Making Coworking More Accessible, Efficient, and Human

DeShawn’s experience has taught him that great coworking spaces create freedom. They offer not just a place to sit, but a foundation for growth. “As a founder, walking into a space and having access to community, resources, and support lets you focus on your actual business. That kind of environment is powerful.”

At the same time, he has seen how tools like Zoom and cloud-based platforms have shifted what people expect from a workplace. “Now that so many of the basics are accessible at home, the value of a workspace is no longer just the Wi-Fi. It’s the people, the environment, the energy. Coworking is positioned to meet that need, but only if we keep evolving.”

One area he believes needs more attention is the growing group of in-between users. “Not everyone is a full-time member or a one-time drop-in. There’s a huge opportunity in serving the on-demand user who wants flexibility and ease. We’ve seen the data to support it.”

He also wants operators to think critically about simplification. “Sometimes we try to offer too many packages and credit structures. That can be more confusing than helpful. If we want more people to try coworking, the experience has to be intuitive.”

Looking ahead, DeShawn believes coworking has the potential to become a core part of workplace infrastructure. “From remote workers to large teams using flex space, we are going to be essential for companies of all sizes. But we need to own that. Let’s stop treating coworking as niche and start embracing it as the new normal.”

His boldest idea is bringing coworking into higher education. “I would love to see a university degree in hospitality with a focus on coworking. It would create a real pipeline for talent and growth in this industry.”

He is also inspired by industries outside coworking, from hotels and Airbnb to urban planning and higher education. “There is so much to learn from how others build ecosystems and curate experiences. The more we look outward, the more we can refine what makes coworking special.”

Why FLOC Matters

As Director of Operations and Strategy at FLOC, DeShawn is excited to help create something he feels the industry has needed for a long time. “FLOC brings together people who want to lead. People who are serious about growing the industry and learning from one another. It is a space for connection, ideas, and progress.”

He sees FLOC as a platform for collaboration, something the coworking world often talks about but rarely builds systems to support. “Even in a digital-first industry, we haven’t nailed the feedback loop. FLOC can help close that gap by giving operators a way to share knowledge and grow together.”

DeShawn also sees a unique opportunity for FLOC to legitimize and amplify the coworking industry. “We need to stop waiting for permission to lead. We are already doing incredible things. If we can highlight those stories, invest in each other, and operate with confidence, we will attract more talent, more capital, and more momentum.”

And his advice to other leaders in the space?

“Be generous. No one operator can move the industry forward alone. The more we support each other, the more we all grow. That is how we scale, together.”