Better Business / Member profile
‘A better Bristol to me means a city that leads the way in sustainable urban living’
Tom Ball is the founder of DeskLodge, a company dedicated to creating innovative and flexible workspaces that foster creativity, productivity, and collaboration.
With a passion for reimagining the traditional office environment, Tom has built DeskLodge into a hub for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and teams seeking a dynamic, inspiring place to work.
His vision centres on the idea that the right workspace can transform the way people work, driving both individual success and business growth.
Tom is committed to supporting the local business community and advocating for a more connected, sustainable future.
Tom Ball (top left) founded the award-winning hotdesking firm DeskLodge in a bid to revolutinise co-working spaces
What’s the one thing that inspires you to get up in the morning?
I love creating spaces that help our members be more productive. We’re reimagining what an office can be, and it’s incredibly motivating to see how our innovative workspaces are helping individuals and businesses thrive. There’s a certain magic in walking into one of our locations and seeing people doing deep work in a hobbit hole or brainstorming in a festival-themed area. It’s not just about providing a desk; it’s about fostering creativity, productivity, and happiness in the workplace. Where you work matters!
If you could pick one thing to change about Bristol, what would it be?
I’d further enhance its status as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. While Bristol is already a fantastic city for small businesses, I’d love to see even more support for new ventures, particularly in the tech and sustainability sectors. This could involve more funding opportunities, mentorship programmes, and the collaborative spaces that bring together diverse talents and ideas.
What does a Better Bristol mean to you?
A Better Bristol to me means a city that leads the way in sustainable urban living while nurturing its vibrant creative and tech industries. It’s a Bristol where innovative workspaces like DeskLodge are the norm rather than the exception, where the lines between work and community are blurred in the best possible way. A Better Bristol is a city that attracts talent from all over the world, not just for its beautiful scenery and rich culture, but for its forward-thinking approach to work and life balance.
DeeskLodge which provides co-working spaces in various shapes and sizes at their twin venues won the B-Corp accreditation
What action could you as an individual take? What action could your company take?
I don’t think we do enough to bring people together. We do a lot, but we can always do more. There are so many people doing amazing things here and the many communities within our buildings are exceptional – but I’m sure there is more we can do to facilitate more.
I also need to do a better job of explaining to people who’ve not tried us how working in a DeskLodge is more productive. We get told daily that what we do helps people get more done in their day – and even guarantee teams the best month of their career or their money back.
What do you want to see from the Bristol business community in the next five years?
I think we should be having a bigger impact globally. We have an incredible combination of creativity alongside technology of all types – with a respect and understanding of environmental issues. In short, the perfect formula for big ideas. Global ideas come from somewhere – I think Bristol should expect to be home to more of them. We should support each other in thinking bigger.
All photos: DeskLodge
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