Thanks for the tedious amount of research that you have completed. In response to your observations:
1. It is getting harder to do this. The question needs to revolve around the intent of why coworking sites exist. As I have met on an infrequent basis with the manager of a local incubator, who has developed a coworking space inside their facility, I have come to discovered that several virtual spaces and incubators do it because they think of the buzz and they think the ability to a make an extra dollar - not the community aspect. The local incubation cite has a beautiful place with approximately $100,000 of Herman Miller furniture, but they don't have the community aspect. The word on the street is that they thought they could develop a good base clientel that could move on to their pricier sweets. Hence, they are taking the businesses that seem to be the most profitable, not those that really could benefit the community and/ or the community. The second factor is that these seem like a great business to run - easy, however running a coworking as a quick, operable business, and lack the work ethic it takes to build a great site. Due to the fact that I am a unique spot with my space, and I cost sharing, I have been able to keep going since January. Being in Fort Wayne, fly-over country, has been a bit tough. It has taken an enormous amount of time and energy, and a bit of stress. That being said, I had 5 people that is the first and several meetings with local economic development professionals, who have begun to pay interest to me. Additionally, I am starting to grow my network as our local school system shed 300 teaching positions, and teachers don't have assignments yet, the local Navistar plant will be closing. It's taken a lot of time, sweat and tears to get to the point I am at; I have 5 members and hoping to double that in two weeks -- crossing fingers and toes. 2. Teleworkers: Teleworkers are great. However, in obtaining data from the local county recorder's office, there are approximately 5 new businesses that are being developing in Fort Wayne per day. 3. Coworking has moved beyond the major cities and is spreading rapidly in mid-sized cities and smaller towns. I am in Fort Wayne, Indiana a city of 256,000, county wide population of 300,000 plus. I might add that we are in the midwest, an area known for corn and cows more than urban living. And yes, I have milked a cow. :-) 4. The number of niche or targeted coworking facilities (aimed at writers, or telecommuters, or social entrepreneurs, or makers, etc.) is growing. It is a logical extension of the "like minded people" phrase we so often hear and use when discussing coworking. While I don't have a niche, I have been able to tape into the growing film industries. Being in Fort Wayne, RE is cheap (The average cost of a house is $100,000.), so there are a number of those in NYC and LA, who were raised in the area, that are relocating back and start to work of films. I am hosting the first film group next week, and am worried will I have enough chairs. Jodi Dean, Founder OurSpace, LLC Your Space to Be Creative 825 S. Barr Street Fort Wayne, IN www.ourspacefw.com 260-522-6341 -- 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.
