June was a very busy month.! It was great meeting folks and their families at the BBQ on Saturday. For those of you who couldn’t make it, here is an update of what is going on at Office Nomads.
Office Nomads LLC
I just finished up all the paperwork to bring into existence OfficeNomads LLC and we even have a bank account! Of course we don’t have any money, but we are working on that too. Special thanks to Julia Youngs, our lawyer, for doing all the heavy lifting. Also thanks toBizNik for helping me find her. Now we need a CPA.
The Space
We are moving forward with the Ballard location. I talked with the building owner last week and I think she liked me. We haven’t enteredinto official negotiations but I’m hoping that happens in the nextweek or two. There is 7500sqft and 5-8 conference/meeting rooms. I’m shooting to have spaces for 50 and an average daily attendance of30-40.
http://www.officenomads.com/space1/
Pricing Structure
We’ve scrutinized all the different pricing plans of all the different coworking spaces and balancing them with the advice we’ve been getting, and our understanding of what will work best for the indie business crowd. We are shooting for simple, yet flexible and came upwith three pricing plans. All three are month-to-month (with deposit)and come with an electronic key so you can pick your own hours. Each plan includes network access, printing and will have an allowance for conference room time.
Plans:
- $450 = Unlimited use – permanent desk
- $250 = 3-5 days/week – any available space
- $100 = 1-2 days/week – any available space
Financing Options
I talked to Ruby and Colleen over at Salmon Bay Community Lending and was VERY impressed and happy they are going to help me get the fundsneeded to get this thing started. The fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to get the money is going to be to use the equity in my house. We estimate we’ll need about $50k in startup costs and another $50-80k to keep the lights on while we ramp up to capacity. There are other options available for rounding up $130k and we will see what is in place when the time comes to write the checks.
Timeline & Build-out
If things go smoothly we could take possession of the space in August or September. We are hoping to only take a month to do the majorityof the build-out. We need to rip out the false ceiling, replace the lighting, and maybe expose some of the pine floor. We also need tosling some paint around and start collecting furniture.
WE NEED HELP! There is a lot to do and need some elbow greasedonations. Got an eye for design and decorating? Good with a hammer? Know a good electrician or where to get a good deal on lighting oroffice furniture? And if anyone is extra eager to get into the spacewe can setup some desks in an undisturbed corner. Most work is goingto be done after official business hours. Of course we won’t chargeuntil the doors officially open.
So who’s in?
That’s the big question! I’ve seen a lot of excitement, and now Ineed to know who’s with me. You’ve seen the price points, you’ve seenthe space. If we opened our doors in September, or October, who wouldsign up and which plan would you choose? If you are on the fence,what is it keeping you from making the jump?
Hi there,
Very interesting video you posted the other day. I have grasped the big picture of what you are trying to achieve. (Read Really Cool) I am definetly going to study up on this and I am also thinking about a possability of writing a article at the financial blog I am involved with. Maybe even get a brief interview with one of those being putting all this together. Good luck to you with this project.
Tobias @ http://www.ratracebreakers.com
Sweden, Stockholm
Hi there,
Very interesting video you posted the other day. I have grasped the big picture of what you are trying to achieve. (Read Really Cool) I am definetly going to study up on this and I am also thinking about a possability of writing a article at the financial blog I am involved with. Maybe even get a brief interview with one of those being putting all this together. Good luck to you with this project.
Tobias @ http://www.ratracebreakers.com
Sweden, Stockholm
I am very, very interested. I need space in August, so I could probably hold out until September, but I am unsure about October.
I’m holding out for a few reasons:
1) I haven’t seen the space – I need to be assured of privacy and it needs to be an appealing place for me to be.
2) I like the location — close to the Burke is good for my training clients. I’d love to be able to train them there — and heard rumors of a kitchen and exercise space. Is this true?
If I were to sign on, i would probably for for a private office full time for $450, and would sign on right away if I could bring in training clients and teach cooking classes in one place. That would be my absolute heaven– my dream space! Make that happen – you have a tenant.
I am very, very interested. I need space in August, so I could probably hold out until September, but I am unsure about October.
I’m holding out for a few reasons:
1) I haven’t seen the space – I need to be assured of privacy and it needs to be an appealing place for me to be.
2) I like the location — close to the Burke is good for my training clients. I’d love to be able to train them there — and heard rumors of a kitchen and exercise space. Is this true?
If I were to sign on, i would probably for for a private office full time for $450, and would sign on right away if I could bring in training clients and teach cooking classes in one place. That would be my absolute heaven– my dream space! Make that happen – you have a tenant.
I love the enthusiasm! Thank you very much for the feedback. The space in Ballard has a kitchen and we were thinking of setting up an area where people could stretch out. Your idea of an “exercise space” may be greater then we were envisioning. Also, we will not be offering private offices. The floor-plan will be open with many conference rooms to duck into for meetings and such.
I love the enthusiasm! Thank you very much for the feedback. The space in Ballard has a kitchen and we were thinking of setting up an area where people could stretch out. Your idea of an “exercise space” may be greater then we were envisioning. Also, we will not be offering private offices. The floor-plan will be open with many conference rooms to duck into for meetings and such.
We have talked about creating an exercise space here at CubeSpace and we are getting mixed feedback. So, do those out there reading this blog, what kind of space do you want? A room to stretch and do yoga/pilates? Actual classes (e.g. lunch-time yoga)? A treadmill? We would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks,
Eva
Chief Cat Herder
CubeSpace, Portland, OR
We have talked about creating an exercise space here at CubeSpace and we are getting mixed feedback. So, do those out there reading this blog, what kind of space do you want? A room to stretch and do yoga/pilates? Actual classes (e.g. lunch-time yoga)? A treadmill? We would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks,
Eva
Chief Cat Herder
CubeSpace, Portland, OR