416. Flexibility with Boundaries: Nicole Antolino on the Real Role of a Community Manager

What if the secret to running a thriving coworking space isn't fancy software or a massive team… but one incredibly grounded, genuinely caring community manager? I finally got to sit down with Nicole Antolino, Community Manager at Fireworks Coworking in Marietta, Georgia and this conversation was long overdue. Nicole has been part of our Community Manager University program since 2022 and I've watched her grow into one of those rare unicorn operators who can truly do it all. She talked about the real balancing act of this role. When to extend flexibility and when to hold the line. How to juggle task lists with real human connection. What it's like to be a working mom running a space. And why she believes customer service experience matters more than industry background when hiring. We also dig into: Why 30 percent meeting room utilization might actually be normal How she and her teammate divide and conquer to grow the business The evolution of Fireworks' ideal customer profile What it really takes to stay energized in this role year after year If you're an owner wondering what makes a great community manager, or you are a community manager trying to figure out how to build longevity in this career, this one is for you. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Fireworks Coworking website Nicole Antolino on LinkedIn Everything Coworking Featured Resources: Masterclass: 3 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets to Opening a Coworking Space Coworking Startup School Community Manager University

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416. Flexibility with Boundaries: Nicole Antolino on the Real Role of a Community Manager is an episode from Everything Coworking by Jamie Russo.

This episode is 59:29 long.

This episode was published on Mar 4, 2026.

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