By QUINN PROPST
Ward Media Staff Reporter
In the heart of Kitsap, Vibe Coworks is more than just a place to get work done. It’s a thriving community, a hub for innovation, and a testament to the power of connection in the modern working world. As remote and hybrid work reshape the landscape of business, Vibe Coworks stands out as a beacon for professionals seeking not only a desk, but a sense of belonging, growth, and inspiration.
A New Kind of Workspace
Walk into Vibe Coworks on any given day, and you’ll find more than the hum of laptops and the aroma of fresh coffee. You’ll find conversations sparking at the kitchen counter, members collaborating on new ventures, and a palpable sense of energy that’s hard to find in a home office or a traditional corporate setting.
“Vibe is a shared coworking space with a coworking community, and we try and differentiate that for folks,” Vibe Director of Operations Amber Sallay said. “Sometimes people view coworking spaces as a place to just come get work done, have meeting rooms, have a private office, but a coworking space can be so much more than that.”
At Vibe, the focus is on building relationships as much as businesses. Members don’t just share space—they share ideas, opportunities, and support. The result is a dynamic environment where friendships form, partnerships blossom, and new ventures are born.
Member Benefits: Beyond the Basics
Vibe Coworks offers a flexible array of options for its members: private offices, hot desks, dedicated desks, and access to meeting rooms and event spaces. But the perks go far beyond the physical amenities.
Members enjoy discounted rates for amenities, unlimited coffee, and 24/7 access—a crucial benefit for those working with teams across time zones.
“A huge benefit for folks, too, is 24/7 access, because so many people, our members here, have companies that they’re working with in India, the UK, and so their hours are so different,” Sallay said. “We try and support that community by giving them 24/7 access. They show digital keys on their phone that they can just tap in, it shows us that they’ve come in, and it keeps our doors locked so that other people aren’t accessing the space when we’re not here.”
Vibe also serves as a professional anchor for businesses, offering virtual mailboxes and mail handling services. Members can use Vibe as their business address, receive notifications for incoming mail, and even have their mail scanned or shredded as needed. This service has proven invaluable for members with international ties or those needing a U.S. business address.
Community and Connection
What truly sets Vibe apart is its commitment to fostering genuine connections. The space is intentionally designed to encourage interaction, with the kitchen placed front and center to spark conversations and collaborations.
“We have a lot of really cool, key, natural work partnerships that people get out of here,” Sallay said. “One business started out of here is GovGig, and they actually have office space now in Poulsbo. They started here at the corner table, talking to our member Brett Eddy about an idea they had about creating an online platform for government workers. Now they’re a fully functioning business.”
Vibe’s impact is reflected in its member surveys:
- 57% use Vibe as an occasional alternative to their home or company office
- 69% feel happier since joining
- 70% report increased productivity
- 82% say membership has expanded their professional networks
- 19% of employers cover some or all of the cost of membership, a number expected to rise
Events and Programming
Vibe’s calendar is packed with events designed to bring members together and foster growth. Monthly staples include Waffle Wednesday, birthday celebrations, and Free First Friday—opportunities for members to connect, share a meal, and step away from their desks.
Before the launch of Matchstick Lab, Vibe hosted Lunch and Learns on topics ranging from marketing to mental health. Now, Matchstick Lab, an independent entity, creates curriculum and programming for members and the broader community, including a micro business accelerator.
Once a year, Vibe hosts the White Tie Picnic to celebrate International Coworking Day, opening its doors to the wider community and showcasing the power of shared workspaces.
Health, Wellness, and Inclusivity
Vibe’s commitment to its members extends to their health and well-being. The space features a wellness lounge—first and foremost a mother’s room, but also equipped with stretching mats, yoga mats, and rollers. A massage therapist visits twice a month, and members are encouraged to take walks in the nearby park.
The team recently completed Mental Health First Aid training, recognizing their role as the first point of contact for members facing challenges.
“We wanted to make sure that our team was trained on how to handle it, and it kind of goes into that community aspect, like, what are things that you can do to change someone’s day?” Sallay said.
Inclusivity and accessibility are woven into the fabric of Vibe. The space is ADA accessible, with thoughtful design choices like individual, lockable bathroom stalls and open washing stations.
“We always wanted to make sure that it felt welcoming to everyone,” Sallay said.
Partnerships and Local Impact
Vibe’s roots in the Kitsap community run deep. Partnerships with organizations like Kitsap Bank, the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, the Greater Kitsap Chamber, and the Small Business Development Center from Western Washington University provide members with resources and opportunities beyond the workspace.
The space also hosts groups like the Kitsap Dental Association and Creative Mornings, further cementing its role as a community hub.
Challenges and Resilience
Like many coworking spaces, Vibe has navigated the shifting tides of remote work, economic changes, and the aftermath of COVID-19. While some members have returned to corporate offices, Vibe remains a steady presence for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers.
“We have an insanely great generator,” Sallay said. “Since I’ve worked here, I don’t think we’ve ever really lost power. And if we did, it was probably for less than an hour. We have gig fiber WiFi. In the three years that I’ve worked here, I think that was only one day that it was off for two hours. Being able to be the steady person here for people that are like, I lost my WiFi, I could come into Vibe—I think that works again and again.”
The Vibe Origin Story
Vibe Coworks was founded by Alanna Imbach and her husband, Marcel, out of a personal need that quickly proved to be a community-wide opportunity.
Imbach’s first experience with coworking came in New York, when her employer temporarily moved the team into a shared space after outgrowing their office.
“I thought that it was going to break up our team dynamics,” Imbach said. “I didn’t like the idea of losing my stationary desk, with all of my desk decor and paperwork comfort.”
What happened instead was a revelation.
“What I never anticipated is, as soon as we got into that coworking space, having a change of environment, having less of our stuff and being surrounded by people from so many different industries and areas of expertise and stages of career massively transformed our creativity, the work we were doing together as a team, and just the network that we had, it was like instant, organic networking,” she said.
From that point, she vowed never to return to a traditional office.
When the couple later moved to Kitsap, both were working remotely from home.
“We were going to kill each other if we were both working from home,” she joked.
The solution they envisioned was a flexible, professional workspace—first for themselves, and then for others who wanted the benefits of working locally without sacrificing productivity or connection.
They opened a temporary “Vibe Lab” in September 2017 before moving into their permanent location a year later. From the beginning, Vibe addressed critical needs: reducing the hours lost to commuting, combating isolation, and helping small businesses avoid paying for unused space.
“Our mission has always been helping people work happier, healthier and more connected,” Imbach said. “If I’m not stuck in a car or on a ferry, I have time to go outside, see my family, and do the things I love. That’s what Vibe is here to make possible.”
“When they initially opened, they weren’t looking to be running it themselves, because they had their own businesses,” Sallay said. “But Alanna ended up loving the work and the community she was building and the people that were coming in. So she did end up leaving her job and working at Vibe full time.”
Looking Ahead
Vibe’s mission remains steadfast: to be the place where work, community, and opportunity collide. With the addition of Matchstick Lab as an accelerator for local entrepreneurs, Vibe continues to evolve, supporting innovation and growth in Kitsap and beyond.
The team is excited for upcoming events and member milestones, such as book launches and business expansions.
“We want members to be able to use the space as their business launches, as they have huge career milestones,” Sallay said.
More Than a Workspace
At its core, Vibe Coworks is about people. It’s about creating a space where members feel safe, supported, and inspired to do their best work. It’s about fostering connections that lead to new opportunities, friendships, and a sense of belonging.
“Truly, our community is what we’re always most proud of,” Sallay said. “Not just the community that we have found, but the people that our members hang out with and have found, or the job partnerships that they’ve found. Creating the community that we have, in a way that we have been told again and again, ‘I feel safe here. I get my best work done here. I’ve met so many connections here, and I just love being in this environment.’ That has always been what we’ve been proudest of.”
In a world where work is increasingly remote and isolated, Vibe Coworks offers a powerful reminder: the best work happens not just at a desk, but in a community.
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