Thanks Geoff...
xray, the reason I didn't respond directly to you is because, well, you
aren't the only one asking those questions. And to me (like Geoff), they
aren't difficult or disheartening, they just don't represent the reality of
what happens when you actually open the space. The disheartening part is
when you offer something that you've poured your soul into for free and
people still choose the alternative (coffee shop or living room). THAT's
disheartening.
So, from what I've observed by going back and examining...those who are
asking the profit question are 98% of the time people thinking about setting
up a space, not people who have actually set up a space. Those of us who
have set up spaces are putting getting the people in before we could ever
even dream of thinking about profit. I mean, without the people, you don't
stand a chance in making that profit.
That's what I was trying to say.
We didn't go into coworking for the money. Far from it. We started down this
path (and Chris, myself, Brad, Ted, Jay, Ryanne and a handful of others
started this whole 'movement' of coworking thread) to get out of our living
rooms and coffee shops and have a better alternative. We were lonely working
at home and too much seen as coffee shop leaches working out of coffee
shops. So, coworking didn't start as saying, "Here is a new business model.
Make friends while you make money." It started as an answer to the loss of
public collaborative spaces.
As Geoff said, it is your decision whether or not you spend that money...but
I'd go into it ("it" being coworking) expecting that you are going to lose
money. If you break even, it's a bonus. If you make any, it's a miracle.
Now, you can certainly run a space like a business, hiring people, running
it like a tight ship, setting for profit, but it's not coworking. Well, not
true to the original purpose anyway.
I heart that you have found this list and even that you approach it in your
own unique way. It sounds like you are facing your own difficult,
disheartening questions. We all went through that at some point or another
in this process...unraveling what we thought was true about the world...what
has to happen...etc. Actually, I still do it daily. I have a panic attack
and worry about 'losing' stuff and 'yikes, what's gonna happen'...but I have
an AMAZING partner who supports me through that. I do the same right back at
him when he needs it. And every day, it gets more and more clear...even when
we sit alone in a 1500 ft2 office...because I know that someone will email
me the next day and ask if they could use the space for their developer
group meetup or say they found out about us through a friend and have been
waiting for this for years.
Even though I may sound annoyed (darn email medium), I'm not. I am just here
to express my ideas like you are. :)
Tara
On 10/15/07, Geoff DiMasi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I didn't think your questions were too difficult or disheartening.
>
> For those of us involved in opening and running a space, we are
> like... it can be done... it is unique to your situation, but, yes,
> it is possible.
>
> Those of us on the "other side" we all had fears and questions along
> the way, but we all decided to take a leap of faith and went for it.
> We went for it because it seemed to make social, economic and
> practical sense to do so.
>
> It is really up to the individual/community to make that decision. No
> one is forcing you, but we can say... we are currently doing it.
>
> You can join in, or if you decide to spectate... we will let you know
> how it goes.
>
> It is up to you.
>
> Depends on your appetite for risk, desire for community, needs for a
> workspace and many other factors. None of us can make that decision
> for you.
>
> You have to decide on your own.
>
>
> Good luck,
> Geoff
>
> Philadelphia
>
>
>
> On Oct 15, 2007, at 11:37 PM, xray wrote:
>
> >
> > Tara:
> >
> > I'm a really recent new member of the group, and many of your comments
> > seem to be pointed my way. I've asked some hard questions about where
> > the money comes from and if it isn't natural that someone who wants to
> > provide start up money for such a facility shouldn't expect to make
> > enough money to make it worthwhile compared to just putting money in
> > the bank.
> >
> > Your post tears at my heart. I'm an idealist. The prospect of
> > providing a place where people who are working alone to achieve their
> > dreams can come together instead of going alone is so appealing.
> > There's something romantic about it. As someone who works alone in my
> > basement, I long for that kind of community myself.
> >
> > On the other hand, as someone who has the money to sponsor such an
> > ideal project, I have to consider whether I am going to lose it, and
> > have to work until it kills me instead of enjoying the fruits of my
> > labors in my old age. (It ain't that far away!)
> >
> > If my frank comments and smart ass remarks have in any way offended or
> > disheartened you, I am certainly sorry. I didn't join to cause
> > trouble. I joined because what you are doing is so darned beautiful
> > that it makes me happy, and I wish I could do something similar for
> > people who need a happy, secure, no hassles place to work.
> >
> > Work is such an important thing to the soul. Many who have what
> > others might consider terrible jobs love their work as long as it
> > gives them sense of meaning in their lives, while others with what
> > seem like dream jobs are despondent because they lack that sense that
> > there is meaning in the work. Still others have meaningful work but
> > nobody to share it with.
> >
> > When consider together the human needs for meaningful work and
> > community, coworking seems to be a gift. Hang in there. I believe in
> > you and what you are doing.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >
>
>
> >
>
--
tara 'miss rogue' hunt
co-founder & CMO
Citizen Agency (www.citizenagency.com)
blog: www.horsepigcow.com
phone: 415-694-1951
fax: 415-727-5335
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