Anthony, I'll follow up with you off-list; I'd love to visit your bar and talk in more detail.
I helped start a coworking community in Manhattan a while back called CooperBricolage, and it was originally based in a cafe/restaurant that was normally closed during the day, so we could have a good conversation about that. If you or a trusted friend is willing to open up the space for coworking on a regular basis, then as the owner you will have very little additional cost. When we set up, we upgraded the cafe's internet connection and added some extension cords and power strips, and that was about it. You may also want to visit The Change You Want To See in W'burg; they're a long-standing coworking community you should become familiar with. Let's chat more soon! Best, Tony Bacigalupo New Work City On Apr 3, 2009, at 11:51 PM, "a...@oulu" <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi there. I am sure this has been asked a million times and answered > even more, but I want to start a space and have a lot of questions. > First some background. > > This all came about as I currently have a bar that is a nice space and > woefully underutilized in Williamsburg Brooklyn. A few weeks ago I > ran into a good friend that is a freelance "internet guy" that used to > rent an office but decided to give it up. However, he was sick of > working in his apartment too. Anyway, he was telling me this day that > he had been to all the local cafes and they were packed or a bit > "hostile" towards his sitting at a table working all day. I told him > come on over to the bar, we are closed in the day, and I would be > sitting there waiting on deliveries. That's when he told me about co- > working, and he said "You should think about using the space for that > when no in operation. I know I would sign up." So that's where I am. > > I had known about the idea in theory as my wife is a "web/design > person" but she works for another free-lancer out of the woman's > apartment, which they both find very awkward when it is time for > clients to come consult. They too mentioned the need for an office > but did not want a cubicle atmosphere. > > I guess for me the whole concept has grown (in my mind) where we have > a cool space (very cool design) where people can not only work, but > also find others who can help with their business. ("Hey you do web > design...I need a web page...", and so forth). I also plan on having > a "conference room" in a space I don't use so people can have clients > over and take meetings. And maybe eventually have monthly lectures > either by members or guests: ("The Internet, The Law & You", or "1099 > Employees: "Where's that receipt?" by a professor or CPA). Really > create benefits to being a member of the group besides just a > guaranteed space to sit. > > So that was as brief as I could cram all my ideas in. Sorry for the > wordiness, I am just excited. My biggest question is what is a good > way to get members. I have a few "maybes and estimate I need 10-12 to > start in order to cover expenses and minor start-up costs. I also > want to make sure we get mature responsible people who are looking to > help it grow and not just, "yeah, my roommate threw me out" people.... > > Where do I begin? > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
