DISQUS

Drew · 1 year ago

Hey Man-
Nice to see that I got some blood pressure up and rising. Don't hang anything on Todd, he's at Disney World w/ family. So this one is all me. I just see the same types of contraints appearing over and over again, and wonder where the long-term solutions lie...

Cheers,
Drew

Alex Hillman · 1 year ago

Hey Drew,
I see the same constraints over and over as well. Many of them are artificial or self-imposed. No matter what, though, the process is evolutionary. The problem is, almost everyone is at the same step of the evolution. And until more people fail from their mistakes, we're not going to know what truly *doesn't* work.

It's up to us, as leaders in this much LARGER learning community, to step outside of the bounds we've created for ourselves and explore new things. Successes AND failures.

That's the only way that this is going to make it's way into the textbooks.

And for the record: wondering what the long term solutions are is free.
Actually finding them? Priceless.

David Speers · 1 year ago

I think one of the misconceptions with co-working is that it's a long term solution for everyone. I work in Indy Hall . . . correction . . . I love working in Indy Hall but I don't anticipate being there five years from now. As a narrowly defined 'work space' it's not the end game for me. Will Indy Hall still exist if I'm not working there every day? Most assuradly yes! Will I still be a part of the culture and community? If I still have a pulse the odds are looking good (sorry if I sound like a magic eight ball I hate to sound like a prophet that kids himself into knowing the outcome of an one thing). For many of us co-working spaces are harbors of hope where we EXPERIENCE what it can be like to work with like minded individuals who are committed to making life better for ourselves and our community one web app/web site/icon/logo/social network/day at a time. It's a place to get your head on straight before the dizziness of success tries to spin it off, because hard working smart people will deal with have to deal with success at some level at some point. Is co-working a long term solution? In a sense no, not for many individuals (I'm sure there will be some exceptions to the rule). But rest assured it still has it's long term place in culture and society. As long as there is an inventor/entrepreneur/designer/programmer/whatever that needs a small space to get started, to do his thing, and the community to support his pie in the sky ideas there will be a need for co-working. Thank God for Indy Hall, it changed my life :-)

Bradley Chapman · 1 year ago

Hi Guys

I have been talking about failures and successes and it is great to see that really we all share the same thought processes.

I have had my share of successes and failures and wanted to help other business people. After going broke and loosing everything i decided enough was enough and created a business against all the odds to help Entrepreneurs globally to realise their dreams - by reducing their risk..

Million Impossible was born during November 2007 and after 6 months we have created 4 successful websites that are helping our members unite together and go from dreams reality..

Regards Bradley Chapman
Founder
Million Impossible Plc
www.millionimpossible.com

Tel +44 (0) 845 468 5000

Joe Norton · 1 year ago

Interesting article Alex,

I'm an intern with Anthillz, so I currently work at the Science Center with the rest of the DreamIT Ventures companies. There is a complete difference between people jointly renting a work space, and people jointly building a community based on shared success and I'm glad you mentioned some of the community-based startup incubators.

We're definitely a community based on helping each other succeed. We've already had Fishbowl sessions, where a company facing a few specific issues brings them up to the rest of the companies and then we all brainstorm and try to help the company come up with a solution. We've all been raking each others brains via email, as well as letting the other companies be the first Beta testers. Our interactions at this stage are almost like having a whole board entrepreneurial minds at our disposal, nearly 24/7.

I haven't had the pleasure of seeing IndyHall at work, however based on my experience with DreamIT thus far -- I definitely agree with you on the point that something this good, that generates this much value, can absolutely be profitable.

Corinne Colbert · 1 year ago

Alex,

Please, please do not present VC projects like Y Combinator as "traditional incubators." The vast majority -- 94% -- of the 1,100+ business incubation programs in the United States are nonprofit entities focused on economic development. You have several examples of great business incubators right there in Philadelphia -- at Drexel and Temple universities, plus The Science Center. (In fact, the National Business Incubation Association's highest honor, the Randall Whaley Incubator of the Year Award, is named for a key pioneer of the University City Science Center and is endowed by the Friends of University City Science Center, comprising prominent Philadelphia business people and academics who worked with Dr. Whaley.)

You may find incubation to be "not compelling," but tens of thousands of entrepreneurs find their true home in business incubators every year. Most business incubation professionals work their buns off to create an atmosphere in which their clients can exchange ideas and offer mutual support. It's not just about the space, or even the services. It's about bringing like-minded people together -- a community.

Before I went back to work full-time (yes, for the National Business Incubation Association), I was a self-employed freelance writer and editor for 10 years. I would have LOVED having a space like Independents Hall as an option. But not all entrepreneurs have the skills to make their businesses successful. A business incubation program can give that individual (or company) the advice and support to grow strong and healthy.

Mel Kirk · 1 year ago

Hey Alex! Great post... Just wanted to say that I completely agree with you. Community has to come first - of course with any for-profit business, there's going to be a drive towards becoming profitable. However, I sincerely believe that if you do the right thing by your community, you're benefit ten fold.

Being genuine and wanting to make a difference I believe is transparent - when people can see that you're wanting to do the right thing for the community, the bond is made stronger and so the community grows.

I really hope that things continue to go from strength to stregth at IndyHall (wish that I was there to check it out myself).

Mel :)

Muskie · 2 months ago

Great post. Still relevant to people planning a coworking space today.

Thanks,