Love working alone but tired of working alone? Co-working locations may be the answer.
I think I’m in love.
You know, I worked for myself for a long time. I’ve also worked by myself for half of my work, for a long time, from home. It’s quiet. It’s productive (mostly) but sometimes it’s lonely. And it certainly hasn’t helped budged me out of my PJ’s on some days. Yes, my working wardrobe has dwindled to dwarf my collection of mommy clothes and t-shirts.
Then I came across a site for a place called the Hive. And then I found this site about coworking locations. Could it be true? Are there really lots of these little places popping up? Hmm, reasonable rates for a private office. Cool furniture, hip and urban office space, conference room space, and then there’s – people. Real, bonafide, people working right there in a similar location. You wouldn’t have to talk with them or interact with them but they could just be there – working. Wow, someone to take a drink break with. Nice.
Anyone know of one of these co-working office locations in Charlotte, N.C.? If so, I may have to change my long term plans to actually include some office life. Imagine that, you could go “on” to work when you wanted or you could stay home and work – also when you wanted. Nice. Where do I sign up?
Additional links of interest:
Cubes & Crayons - Childcare and a co-working location together. Wow.
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Not An MBA » Note to Self… Intuit, Poland, Hedonism, Beauty said,
February 16, 2008 @ 8:30 pm
[...] beautiful statement about why working together is good.
Adonna said,
March 9, 2008 @ 11:42 am
Thanks for the comment, Not An MBA. I took a look over at your site and it’s amazing. I’ve added you to my RSS feeds. Innovation without permission? Perhaps also creativity without corporate handcuffs.
Nathan Longbrook said,
July 30, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
I have been doing some research lately about co-working in Charlotte. About a year ago, my wife and I learned about the co-working concept from a company in Ontario, and thought,”wouldn’t it be cool to open a place like that in Charlotte…”
Now, with that brief history aside, we are doing some serious research about the market for such a place in the Queen City. What are your thoughts on how widely the space would be used, would it be popular enough to warrant a start-up, and how has co-working bettered your quality of work? Have you found a co-working space in Charlotte?
Your feedback would be much appreciated.
Sorry for the truckload of questions, but it is something we are serious about.
Adonna said,
August 5, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
It would be very cool to open a space like that in Charlotte. I think that just perhaps the Charlotte market could handle something like that now. (Ten years ago that definately would not have been the case.) There are shared offices around (i share an office suite myself) but you really have to hunt for it. I mean really who even thinks of sharing a suite with other independents on their own (except for some weirdo like me). BUT if the idea were already out there, well advertised in the local creative market (Craigslist, Creative Loafing, South Charlotte Magazine, North Charlotte magazine, sponsor some local artist events, etc..) I think that it could really do well here.
The city has a lot of creative folks these days and many of us are choosing alternative work and family setups. I know many moms (and dads) that are in some sort of creative work setup, whether working for themselves or working for someone else.
Couple it close to some cool places to eat (or a big fridge or two), some cool furniture (the city as a whole seems to really be into that), a treadmill and eliptical machine, perhaps even childcare (or really close proximity to some great childcare) and you could be on to something. We also have a light rail system going in here, as well.
Lots of families here are moving to reduce commute times and restructuring their lives for more balance. It really seems to be working for most of them. It’s contagious!
Email me and we’ll talk more about demographics and specific parts of the city like NoDa, Plaza/Midwood, etc..
Good luck!