Introduction to Coworking Spaces

Steven Trotter

What is Coworking?

• Started in SanFran in 2004 due to a critical mass of freelance and independent workers.

• Social networks, API applications, blogging networks.

• Geeks are in demand and there is plenty of work to go around.

What is Coworking?

• Coffee shops & apartments are not the ideal work environment for everyone

• Break it down:– Shared office space– New way to work– Community

Why Cowork?

• Distributed expenses– Utilities (broadband, power, etc.)– Office space (local, accessible)– Amenities (coffee, conf room,

projector)

• Access to shared spaces– Client meetings– Training

Why Cowork?

• Social interaction– Creative collaboration– Professional interaction– Build a supportive community

• It’s Green!– Accessible via public transit or bike– Distributed carbon output

Why Cowork?

• Organic Environment– Residents come and go– Businesses come and go– Trends come and go

• Coworking spaces can adapt quickly to the changing needs of its residents

Why Cowork?

• Need more?– Mentors in your field of work– Collective knowledge/experience– Connections & networking– And the list goes on….

What happens in the space?

• A coworking space hosts:– Freelance & independent workers– Project kick-off meetings– Local start-ups & collaborations– This type of work environment

lends well to and even encourages start-ups, mash-ups & incubation of new ideas

What happens in the space?

• Also home to social events:– Refresh Jonesboro– Ignite Jonesboro– Movie night– Fundraisers for local charities– Continued education & seminars– Demos

Invest in Your Future

• At the heart of coworking is the creation of a culture that reinvests in the future of itself.

• The ideal situation is:– companies succeed (with/without

funding) and then the people who profit from these companies reinvest in younger companies and people.

• This is the culture that has helped to keep the Silicon Valley flourishing.

How Much Does it Cost?• Monthly Resident $175/month

– your very own desk, nobody else sits there without your permission

– key & key fob to give you 24hr access– unlimited booking time of the conference room,

lounge, space for events (as long as it’s not already in use - schedule to be posted)

– space for third parties to come in and collaborate with you (unlimited)

– wifi, power, furniture, coffee, water, office ‘perks’

– use of the projector, whiteboards and printer– growing library of cool resources (books,

software, publications, etc.)

How Much Does it Cost?• Coworking Lite $100/month

– use of any available, non-resident, desk– key & key fob to give you 24hr access– unlimited booking time of the conference room,

lounge, space for events (secondary to monthly residents)

– space for third parties to come in and collaborate with you (unlimited)

– wifi, power, furniture, coffee, water, office ‘perks’

– use of the projector, whiteboards and printer– growing library of cool resources (books,

software, publications, etc.)

How Much Does it Cost?

• Drop-in Friends= $10/day– work space (sit or squat), with the

exception resident desks– space for third parties to come in and

collaborate with you (unlimited)– wifi, power, furniture, coffee, water,

office ‘perks’– ability to check out books

Things You Won’t See

• Cubicles• Administrative Assistants• Private Offices• Full Kitchen• Showers• Filing Cabinets• Photocopiers & Fax Machines

Things You Will See

• Lots of snacks• Moveable furniture• Books, books and more books• Tons of office supplies• Clean bathrooms• Reliable, fast WiFi• Super smart people!!

Coworking in Jonesboro?

Is it inevitable? Let’s look at the list of catalysts needed to create a need for a permanent coworking space:

• Affordable Spaces– check!• Technology Market – check!– Consumers/Demand– Work force

Coworking in Jonesboro?

Is it inevitable? Let’s look at the list of catalysts needed to create a need for a permanent coworking space:

• Energetic community – maybe.• Independent Thinkers – check!• Creative Community – check!

How Do We Start?

Don’t have a permanent space yet?• You can get started right now:– Decide how often to meet. • Weekend, weekly, monthly

– Decide where to meet.• Café, coffee house, homes

– Grow by Planning• Keep working. Spread the word.

How Do We Start?

• Hunt for a space– Downtown lofts– Older homes– Closed businesses

• Get funding– Partner with 501(c)3 for grants– Economic development grants– Low interest small business loans

• Purchase/lease the space

How Do We Start?• Press coverage

– Get the word out– Get people talking

• Free labor ;)– Student designers– Painting, furniture moving, etc.

• Press coverage– “Grand Opening” announcements– Make sure everyone knows how to join

• Open the doors!

Thank you!