Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello all. I`m new to the community online, but I`m actually just down the street from StartupNation HQ in Birmingham, MI. I`m a graphics and web designer, a video and audio producer, and as of the first of this year, a small business owner. I incorporated my DBA and now I`m planning to make the jump and leave the cube. In fact, I`m planning on opening up a co-working location along the Woodward corridor that would let startups, freelancers, and entrepreneurs work in peace and comfort. I`ll post a new forum topic to get feedback on what people would be interested in. Free coffee? Fax machines? Lounge chairs and couches? Conference room? Desk space? I can`t be the only one that can`t actually work at home, even if you work from home. 

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David London
Zazen Digital Studios

Hi David, :-)
I`m thinking desk space. I want to be a writer, but can see the problems of working from home--at least in the beginning. I`d be looking for an office, but I can bring all the stuff I`d need. Other than the desk space, and probably some sort of phone. Even that, though, could be just done via cellphone.

Actually, thinking about it, a shared receptionist would be a good feature. Someone to handle mostly messages, back and forth between customers?

Hi dave I think offering a location that has semi private areas, meeting rooms etc is an excellent idea. When you look at all these people hanging out at Starbucks or Panara Bread typing away they really should be at your location, where business can actually be done. I think what you`ll have to mimic is that starbucks atmosphere with a business twist. Similar to some hair salons, you could even rent out a few office cubes/meeting rooms to entrepreneurs to help cover the rent.

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He who gets greedy like a pig, gets slaughtered like a hog!

You beat me to it! I`ve actually mapped out these ideas and more. Todd, absolutely, I`d have small spaces and conference rooms, and I`m definitely shooting for a comfortable coffee house feel. Craig, I`ve got plans for free local and long distance shared phone use, fax machine and laser printers, and yes, a shared receptionist. Since this would be on a gym membership-like basis, at a certain level, you could use the place as your own office with a permanent desk and send and receive mail and packages too.

I think I`ll start a forum topic on this subject to get a feel for people`s tastes. Thanks for the ideas!


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David London
Zazen Digital Studios

Make sure to offer an answering system, like a virtual assistant, something that everyone can share but is still professional.

You could even have a kinkos inside with a ups store all in one place, this idea sounds really cool.

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He who gets greedy like a pig, gets slaughtered like a hog!

Hi from a newbie...

I worked from home (with my husband for 3 years) before becoming an entrepreneur.   I would have loved something like this!  it gets lonely in the house.   

I can think of a few very simple things you would need....Have free pens/pencils/paper for notes.    Maybe even have a little `funny section` where people can go and read material/memos that make them laugh`  funny pictures, quotes etc.  Kinda like a water cooloer area, people need an excuse to `congregate and talk about nothing` and Lord knows,  we need to laugh more!  Please make it girly friendly also, which means EXTRA CLEAN restrooms, with kleenex, and possibly some little haircare items, disposable combs for those just in case times! 

Great idea, I can`t wait to hear your catchy name.

Dianne

Hi dlondon,

 

This is a great ideal.  I live in Warren, minutes from you and have a home base business.  I work very well from my home office, in fact; I have created a space that really energizes my creative juices.  However, despite the time and afford that when in to building an environment that  support my lifestyle, there are many times where I just get so bore not having others around.  No one to greet, share a cup of coffee, or an idea with.

 

I like your concept and agree with all the posting suggestions so far.  What came to mind when reading this topic was having a space to go a few times a month to work around like-minded people and possibly start a network.  I can see myself working from your place once a week, let’s say every Wednesday to brake my week and work in a professional friendly environment with coworkers, “Man, I never thought I would miss coworkers”.  This would be something I could certainly embrace and look forward to doing. 

 

In addition to what have already been posted, what I envision would work well with me is:

 

             ● A system that will allow me to interface with my office PC

             ● Walk-in as well as reservation options

             ● Access to a conference space to meet potential clients

 

The businesses and business concepts listed in SuN never cease to amazes me. Once you get it up and running, I would certainly be interest in checking it out.

            

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“I am easily satisfied by the very best"

       -   Winston Churchill -


                      

Hello and welcome - sounds like you`ve got a pretty good idea there. You`re sure to get some great feedback here. :)

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You are all making if very hard NOT to quit my job and start this right now! Thank you for all the great ideas. Keep `em coming! I`m writing them all down. A lot of things have been worked out so far: a receptionist to answer calls and receive packages, a kitchen/coffee bar area with free coffee and tea, both a lounge area with couches and stuffed armchairs AND a place desks and table space, and yes, very clean bathrooms.

I haven`t even mentioned the cool parts yet! Since I run my own graphics/web/video/design business, this place would also house a iMacs and MacBook laptops for members to use, a small pre-set photo studio (for photographers who can`t afford their own), a fully functional HD video studio with chroma key walls (make your own TV ads), and a full-featured audio booth (for making podcasts or laying down some music tracks). I`m also designing the areas to be modular, so that after hours, I could host small business meetings, classes and seminars, or use the space as an art gallery.

The central piece to all this is a community. It`s basically a social network with a coffee shop and comfy office wrapped around it. It would serve as the HQ for my business (Zazen Digital Studios), but more than that, I want to build a place that helps other entrepreneurs grow and succeed. And since I`m a web and graphic designer, everyone would have instant access to the professional web, graphics, or video they need to get their business up and running.


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David London
Zazen Digital Studios

I`m open to ideas for the name too. Don`t be shy.

My company is called Zazen Digital Studios, but I also do business as Zazen Press (independent publishing) and Zazen Productions (film, video, audio, photography). I was originally thinking about running with the brand and calling this the Zazen Project. Partly because it`s an experiment in social collaborative networking, and partly because the biggest problem for small businesses is project management.

So, if you come up with a name or two, please send them on!


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David London
Zazen Digital Studios