Comments on: Wanting a permanent coworking space http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/ This can all be made better. Ready? Begin. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:08:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: dangerouslyawesome – Calling for Independents Hall Membership http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/comment-page-1/#comment-86676 dangerouslyawesome – Calling for Independents Hall Membership Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:23:21 +0000 http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/#comment-86676 [...] time has come that our community has grown into our goal of wanting and needing a permanent shared space of our own. We’ve diligently researched, polled interest, and with fingers (and toes) crossed we should [...] [...] time has come that our community has grown into our goal of wanting and needing a permanent shared space of our own. We’ve diligently researched, polled interest, and with fingers (and toes) crossed we should [...]

]]> By: Ana http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/comment-page-1/#comment-83516 Ana Mon, 30 Apr 2007 07:41:55 +0000 http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/#comment-83516 Hi I am trying to find Brad's http://codinginparadise.org/ in Brussels. His link doesnt work, did he dissapear? Any way I can get to him? thanks Ana Hi
I am trying to find Brad’s http://codinginparadise.org/ in Brussels. His link doesnt work, did he dissapear? Any way I can get to him? thanks Ana

]]> By: Twinning coworking facilities - Coworking Ireland Freelance. http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/comment-page-1/#comment-72574 Twinning coworking facilities - Coworking Ireland Freelance. Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:14:34 +0000 http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/#comment-72574 [...] and cakes and taking advantage of the free power and WiFi, there is already that idea. Now with the cafes starting to shoo these people out to make way for more customers, these nomads need somewhere to go. There’s a blog about [...] [...] and cakes and taking advantage of the free power and WiFi, there is already that idea. Now with the cafes starting to shoo these people out to make way for more customers, these nomads need somewhere to go. There’s a blog about [...]

]]> By: Damien Mulley » Blog Archive » Twinning co-working facilities http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/comment-page-1/#comment-68597 Damien Mulley » Blog Archive » Twinning co-working facilities Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:52:49 +0000 http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/#comment-68597 [...] and cakes and taking advantage of the free power and WiFi, there is already that idea. Now with the cafes starting to shoo these people out to make way for more customers, these nomads need somewhere to go. There’s a blog about [...] [...] and cakes and taking advantage of the free power and WiFi, there is already that idea. Now with the cafes starting to shoo these people out to make way for more customers, these nomads need somewhere to go. There’s a blog about [...]

]]> By: cafeCommuter » coworking vs cafe commuting http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/comment-page-1/#comment-58082 cafeCommuter » coworking vs cafe commuting Sun, 04 Mar 2007 00:48:12 +0000 http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/#comment-58082 [...] OK so I finally came across this whole coworking concept thanks to this Business Week article…. better late than never! There is even a coworking wiki that describes the concept as “start with a shared office and add cafe culture”. This sounds great though I think I’d prefer to to start with cafe culture and make it a bit more like a shared office as suggested by Factory City. [...] [...] OK so I finally came across this whole coworking concept thanks to this Business Week article…. better late than never! There is even a coworking wiki that describes the concept as “start with a shared office and add cafe culture”. This sounds great though I think I’d prefer to to start with cafe culture and make it a bit more like a shared office as suggested by Factory City. [...]

]]> By: Gregory Heller http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/comment-page-1/#comment-11691 Gregory Heller Thu, 13 Jul 2006 13:29:34 +0000 http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/#comment-11691 A little late on the comment here.... I've been talking with folks about this too, especially since I have been spending a lot of time in seattle working from internet cafes. One thing that I do is spend money there. Whenever the cafe looks liek it is filling up, and I feel like I make be taking up the space of a paying customer, i buy another something. I think the price point for the drop in unreserved workspace is somewhere around $20 a day. At that rate you could also offer free drip coffee I imagine. You probably need some VC or other financing to get you through the first year, figure you've got $30k of build out costs on the cheap, you're rent is probably 5 to 7k a month at the low end in any metropolitan area for an off the street (read second floor or higher space). Insurance, utils, staffing (go volunteer co-op style)... Anyway, I think there is a HUGE market from what i see working the Seattle Capital Hill circuit, and I think there is ripe opportunity for "franchising" of a sort. Another option might be to start a co-working organization that negotiates with cafes for a co-worker's bill of rights: 1) electricity 2) wireless and wifi jacks 2.b. we'll help them set it up and keep it stable 3) we're willing to pay 4) quiet: there is no need to crank the music then we put a sign on the cafe's that ratify our bill of rights "Co-Working Approved!" A little late on the comment here…. I’ve been talking with folks about this too, especially since I have been spending a lot of time in seattle working from internet cafes.

One thing that I do is spend money there. Whenever the cafe looks liek it is filling up, and I feel like I make be taking up the space of a paying customer, i buy another something.

I think the price point for the drop in unreserved workspace is somewhere around $20 a day. At that rate you could also offer free drip coffee I imagine.

You probably need some VC or other financing to get you through the first year, figure you’ve got $30k of build out costs on the cheap, you’re rent is probably 5 to 7k a month at the low end in any metropolitan area for an off the street (read second floor or higher space). Insurance, utils, staffing (go volunteer co-op style)…

Anyway, I think there is a HUGE market from what i see working the Seattle Capital Hill circuit, and I think there is ripe opportunity for “franchising” of a sort.

Another option might be to start a co-working organization that negotiates with cafes for a co-worker’s bill of rights:
1) electricity
2) wireless and wifi jacks
2.b. we’ll help them set it up and keep it stable
3) we’re willing to pay
4) quiet: there is no need to crank the music

then we put a sign on the cafe’s that ratify our bill of rights “Co-Working Approved!”

]]> By: scott brooks http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/comment-page-1/#comment-3228 scott brooks Wed, 26 Apr 2006 12:55:52 +0000 http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/#comment-3228 Chris, I have been following the idea for some time now and i have to tell you that is is great. I am from a city north of toronto and we definatly have a need for a space like this. I have started the wheels rolling on it here and we will see if the powers that be in this city get it. I think the hardest thing that i have to get them to grasp is the concept .....they are still trying to get incubators ..... which in my opinion dont work. Cheers Scott Chris,

I have been following the idea for some time now and i have to tell you that is is great. I am from a city north of toronto and we definatly have a need for a space like this. I have started the wheels rolling on it here and we will see if the powers that be in this city get it.

I think the hardest thing that i have to get them to grasp is the concept …..they are still trying to get incubators ….. which in my opinion dont work.

Cheers

Scott

]]> By: Gavin http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/comment-page-1/#comment-2968 Gavin Mon, 17 Apr 2006 19:04:20 +0000 http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/#comment-2968 If you _are_ looking for a quiet coworking environment then I'd recommend the Mechanics Institute (http://milibrary.org/). For a little over 100$ a year you get very good wi-fi and access to a great library collection. I've tried the public libraries but the connectivitiy has never been good enough for my needs. HTH, Gavin If you _are_ looking for a quiet coworking environment then I’d recommend the Mechanics Institute (http://milibrary.org/). For a little over 100$ a year you get very good wi-fi and access to a great library collection. I’ve tried the public libraries but the connectivitiy has never been good enough for my needs.

HTH,
Gavin

]]> By: Laura http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/comment-page-1/#comment-2812 Laura Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:45:50 +0000 http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/#comment-2812 I like this idea. The Cyber Café brought to the next level. Cyber cafe is probably a bad term in this case since you are talking about professionals. I would listen to your gut instinct because there are always going to be people saying no you can't do it or it won't work. There is an obvious niche in the market making itself available. I appreciate the idea of a something likened to the library/cafe/art nouveau/technology savy space because it combines the best of all possible worlds. I think comfort, simple design, good coffee, sponsored artists...the idea of a community is central and it makes sense to start at 2500/3000 feet. Some consulting companies in Canada and on the east coast call it hoteling but it's in a much more corporate/sterile environment. This is like the native american indian's cozy warm kiva meets wired environment for the indepndent professional. It's the start of a new creative environment and a new way to work. I say do it and my only question as usual is how could you live without it? I like this idea. The Cyber Café brought to the next level. Cyber cafe is probably a bad term in this case since you are talking about professionals. I would listen to your gut instinct because there are always going to be people saying no you can’t do it or it won’t work. There is an obvious niche in the market making itself available. I appreciate the idea of a something likened to the library/cafe/art nouveau/technology savy space because it combines the best of all possible worlds. I think comfort, simple design, good coffee, sponsored artists…the idea of a community is central and it makes sense to start at 2500/3000 feet. Some consulting companies in Canada and on the east coast call it hoteling but it’s in a much more corporate/sterile environment. This is like the native american indian’s cozy warm kiva meets wired environment for the indepndent professional. It’s the start of a new creative environment and a new way to work. I say do it and my only question as usual is how could you live without it?

]]> By: Nica http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/comment-page-1/#comment-2804 Nica Mon, 03 Apr 2006 22:22:21 +0000 http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/01/17/wanting-a-permanent-coworking-space/#comment-2804 It's an interesting idea. i don't love the idea of making people go off in a back room for outlets, because I think part of the appeal is being able to be in a social setting while nerding out. I think what Ritual has that makes it work is the good coffee and ambiance to start. I like the idea of figuring out how to work within a cafe that already exists because creating that sort of appeal is not easy. Side note: I have a really hard time believing that Ritual is not making a lot of money. They have a line at all times of the day. It’s an interesting idea. i don’t love the idea of making people go off in a back room for outlets, because I think part of the appeal is being able to be in a social setting while nerding out.

I think what Ritual has that makes it work is the good coffee and ambiance to start. I like the idea of figuring out how to work within a cafe that already exists because creating that sort of appeal is not easy.

Side note: I have a really hard time believing that Ritual is not making a lot of money. They have a line at all times of the day.

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