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Shared Space: Feedback needed ASAP

Wired Sonoma members:

In response to the shared workspace conversations, we are beginning to talk with property owners who might enter into a lease to craft a viable “incubator”, shared workspace and dynamic entrepreneurial activity center in Sonoma.

One model that appears to have had great success is the Hub (there’s one in Berkeley, and in many global cities)- we have a call into their GM Alex. The varying member levels allow you to only pay for the hours you work in the space. Some members will simply want to make connections and hold meetings, while others will work full time in the space. Below are the rates and terms used by the Hub in Berkeley.

*denotes number of hours per month

Hub 5 Hub 25 Hub 50 Hub 100 Hub Unlimited
$25 $119 $195 $345 $445

What members get in exchange for this are (quoting their website):
* Staff support on weekdays between 9am and 6pm
* High-speed wireless internet
* Printer/scanner/copier services
* Discounted (or free) meeting room and event space
* Access to kitchen and coffee bar
* Hub member online network
* Priority registration and seating for events
* Access to basket of professional tools and services
* Peace of mind that you don’t have to worry about building insurance, electricity, gas, water, garbage or the loneliness of working from home
* Additional services are available upon request: IT support, mailboxes, server space, personal storage, private phone lines, voicemail, high-end printing services, and car sharing options

This is the same kind of model we’d be looking to do here, possibly in conjunction with the Chamber or the Office of Economic Development. The space could also function as a Kinko’s (workspace only) for visitors.

SO, what we need to know in order to negotiate space and not be in a financial bind, is would you sign onto something like this and at what level of membership? This is not binding, but it is an expression of interest.

PLEASE drop me a note ASAP. We're looking at beautiful spaces right near the plaza.

Thanks so much,

Christine

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Comment by Christine Mason McCaull on February 18, 2010 at 1:36pm: Update on Shared Space!

We have been offered 2,000 square feet of space in town. It needs paint, carpet, a wall taken out, lighting, some minor electrical, some lock/cardkey access thing- plus basic furnishings. Artistry would be nice, too.

We're proposing a club model: A one time payment (buy-in) of $2K, and $200 per month for ongoing use for people who do the buy-in. A portion of the one time buy-in could be redeemed via in-kind donations (labor, materials, etc.- eg, discounted lighting, building services, design work).

The one time fee will cover all the costs to clean up and make the space appealing, as well as the infrastructure to track use, and the downpayments on equipment. The monthly fee will let us pay for tech support, maintenance and a space host as needed.

We're thinking that people who don't do the buy in will pay $400 per month in advance for unlimited use, and that there would be partial use options.

We could be open as soon as March if the interest is there.

Reactions??

Christine

Comment by David Goodison on January 29, 2010 at 5:54pm: In your review of potential spaces, I hope that you will check out the Sonoma Community Center. It has a number of flexible spaces, including meeting rooms, a lounge, and a new kitchen, it has building-wide wi-fi, it has parking for bikes and cars, and it is convenient to the downtown. Depending on the need, custom tenant improvements are possible. Full disclosure--I am on the board on the SCC (which is an unpaid position, of course). But I truly believe it could be a good fit for what you are looking for.

Comment by Judy Baker on January 26, 2010 at 6:41pm: The idea of shares seems like a good idea.

Comment by Judy Baker on January 26, 2010 at 6:40pm: Hi Christine

My main need is workshop space. Would this be available at the site you are considering?
I hold 1-4 events per month, 2-3 hours each. Numbers vary, from 10 to up to 25 people.

(You were an amazing contestant at BACN – Did Brenda Stein and Michael North get in touch with you?)

Thanks for taking this on.

You are amazing.

Judy Baker
Completely Creative
707 938 2586

Comment by Christine Mason McCaull on January 26, 2010 at 3:23pm: Great thread. We've gotten some more emails on the subject, also. In addition to the LEEDs building and the space next to the chamber, the Community Center has asked us to consider that space. I don't know enough about their infrastructure- and it seems to be a reduction in "business" flavor, definitely reduces the walk in traffic for one time use as a Kinkos style thing. Any opinions on this? Positioning this as something that generally feels growing and prosperous people and making sure the space fits with business image matters to me. Any thoughts on this as an option? What if the price were substantially different?

Comment by Peter Berkley on January 26, 2010 at 3:12pm: We would be interested in something between the 5 and 25 hour options . . . somewhere between $50-$100/month . . . ?

Comment by Chip Roberson on January 26, 2010 at 10:29am: There are a couple of issues/ideas that are floating around in my head. First is the start-up cost of setting up the space. While I would hope the city and/or the chamber/OED might help offset the start-up costs, if that option fell through, how would people feel about an option to buy "shares" in the business or would that be a non-starter? Second, what about a co-op option where rates were reduced for those who are willing to help staff the space (e.g. open/close, help desk, etc.)? I'm very curious to see how Hub Spot works their franchise but it looks promising....

Comment by Catherine Thorpe on January 25, 2010 at 9:02pm: Hello and thank you for your efforts! I would be interested in the 5 hour option to start. Another thought - what about an option for a set number of hours but with no commitment necessary to use them within a month? E.g. I buy a 5-hour "punch card" (at a higher rate than the monthly 5-hour plan)and use it over 2 or 3 months ... if I find I use the space regularly I'd save by moving to a monthly plan ... and so on. As an extremely small business it's hard to tell how much I'd actually use the space although with the proposed setup I could imagine I might quickly become a convert and use it more and more. Again, thank you!

Comment by Christine Mason McCaull on January 25, 2010 at 4:02pm: Excellent, thank you. That actually gives us 6 people who are in the 100 or unlimited categories, and a handful of people in the 25 category, which as a starting point is $2,800+ per month to cover all costs.

Comment by Sam Turner on January 25, 2010 at 3:53pm: I am interested in this concept here in Sonoma. Thanks for exploring it! Most likely unlimited usage...