Deb, This is a very cool idea - where would you go about finding individuals who are interested in this sort of working arrangement? That's the most important question before you're even looking at space - can you find people from both age demographics who are interested in the idea, and articulate it in a way that they're on board as members?
-Alex /ah indyhall.org coworking in philadelphia On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 12:29 AM, deb <[email protected]> wrote: > Hello, > I'm Deb and live in Chicago. I started a biz 20 yrs ago (small > distributorship) and worked out of my house for 10 yrs; then rented > space in a small office in a suburban downtown area. I worked alone > for many yrs but now have 1 full time and 1 part time staff. > > I have enjoyed being an entrepreneur. However, I have always thought > that the downside to choosing this career path, was the isolation, > lack of a team, and minimal social aspects that one would get from a > "normal" job. I have found ways to improve the situation over the > yrs, but can't help but wonder what It would be like to be part of a > community while at work. > > So I am tossing around the idea of a co work space for my present biz > (which I now devote approximate 60% of my time to). But I'd also like > to pursue a second career in a field that I enjoy more (tbd). My > thinking is of a space targeting both people in the 50+ age group to > work along side young tech savvy people, where we could both learn > from each other. > A lot of people my age want to "reinvent" themselves and I think that > a creative place in a thriving community could be of interest. Almost > like a learning center. Although as I put my thoughts in writing, I > guess there already is a "senior learning center" in town. But I'm > thinking more professional, stimulating, and progressive than that. I > have searched several existing coworking websites and like some of > their ideas, i.e., incorporating local art into the space, maybe > providing studio workspace as well as office space and simultaneously > displaying art. > > There is a fair amount of vacant commercial space in town, however, > most spaces are old, small, "hodge podge", chopped up, tucked away > above retail establishments... My idea is to get a first floor, > several storefront spaces, gut it, remodel it, keep it green. An > energetic hub for career renewal, etc. and an asset to the > community. > > So as I said, this is the first that I'm actually putting this in > writing. I need to research more, gather data, refine the concept and > get feedback, to see if this is a feasible opportunity. I am happy to > find this group and look forward to discussions. > > -- > 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]<coworking%[email protected]> > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. > > -- 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.
