What is Jonesboro Coworking?

Introduction to Coworking Spaces Steven Trotter Originally presented at Ignite Jonesboro on Jan 24, 2009. For more information about Ignite Jonesboro see RefreshJonesboro.org.

What is Coworking?
Started in SanFran in 2004 due to a critical mass of freelance and independent workers.
Social networks, API applications, blogging networks.
Geeks are in demand and there is plenty of work to go around.

What is Coworking?
Coffee shops & apartments are not the ideal work environment for everyone
Break it down:
Shared office space
New way to work
Community

Why Cowork?
Distributed expenses
Utilities (broadband, power, etc.)
Office space (local, accessible)
Amenities (coffee, conf room, projector)
Access to shared spaces
Client meetings
Training

Why Cowork?
Social interaction
Creative collaboration
Professional interaction
Build a supportive community
It’s Green!
Accessible via public transit or bike
Distributed carbon output

Why Cowork?
Organic Environment
Residents come and go
Businesses come and go
Trends come and go
Coworking spaces can adapt quickly to the changing needs of its residents

Why Cowork?
Need more?
Mentors in your field of work
Collective knowledge/experience
Connections & networking
And the list goes on….

What happens in the space?
A coworking space hosts:
Freelance & independent workers
Project kick-off meetings
Local start-ups & collaborations
This type of work environment lends well to and even encourages start-ups, mash-ups & incubation of new ideas

What happens in the space?
Also home to social events:
Refresh Jonesboro
Ignite Jonesboro
Movie night
Fundraisers for local charities
Continued education & seminars
Demos

Invest in Your Future
At the heart of coworking is the creation of a culture that reinvests in the future of itself.
The ideal situation is:
companies succeed (with/without funding) and then the people who profit from these companies reinvest in younger companies and people.
This is the culture that has helped to keep the Silicon Valley flourishing.

How Much Does it Cost?
Monthly Resident $100-200/month*
your very own desk, nobody else sits there without your permission
key & key fob to give you 24hr access
unlimited booking time of the conference room, lounge, space for events (as long as it’s not already in use - schedule to be posted)
space for third parties to come in and collaborate with you (unlimited)
wifi, power, furniture, coffee, water, office ‘perks’
use of the projector, whiteboards and printer
growing library of cool resources (books, software, publications, etc.)
*these are averages from across the U.S., local memberships will differ based on available properties and number of participating members

Coworking Lite $50/month*
use of any available, non-resident, desk
key & key fob to give you 24hr access
unlimited booking time of the conference room, lounge, space for events (secondary to monthly residents)
use of the projector, whiteboards and printer
growing library of cool resources (books, software, publications, etc.)

Drop-in Friends= $25/day*
work space (sit or squat), with the exception resident desks
ability to check out books

Things You Will See
Lots of snacks
Moveable furniture
Books, books and more books
Tons of office supplies
Clean bathrooms
Reliable, fast WiFi
Super smart people!!

Coworking in Jonesboro?
Is it inevitable? Let’s look at the list of catalysts needed to create a need for a permanent coworking space:
Affordable Spaces– check!
Technology Market – check!
Consumers/Demand
Work force

Coworking in Jonesboro?
Is it inevitable? Let’s look at the list of catalysts needed to create a need for a permanent coworking space:
Energetic community – check!
Independent Thinkers – check!
Creative Community – check!

How Do We Start?
Don’t have a permanent space yet?
You can get started right now:
Decide how often to meet.
Weekend, weekly, monthly
Decide where to meet.
Café, coffee house, homes
Grow by Planning
Keep working. Spread the word.

How Do We Start?
Hunt for a space
Downtown lofts
Older homes
Closed businesses
Get funding
Partner with 501(c)3 for grants
Economic development grants
Low interest small business loans
Purchase/lease the space

How Do We Start?
Press coverage
Get the word out
Get people talking
Free labor ;)
Student designers
Painting, furniture moving, etc.
Press coverage
“ Grand Opening” announcements
Make sure everyone knows how to join
Open the doors!

Thank you! To get involved now go to JonesboroCoworking.com

What is Jonesboro Coworking?

by Steven Trotter

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