Building Strategic Partnerships in New York

Marissa Feinberg, the founder of GreenSpacesNY and I had the opportunity to meet yesterday to lay out the framework of a partnership between her organization and SoJo. GreenSpaces fosters collaboration, linkages and a shared workspace for eco-entrepreneurs in New York. They desire delivering toolkits and resources to their members, however haven't had the time or capacity to aggregate or develop informational resources as their key strength lies in fostering physical connections in the city. We are in the process of creating something they are looking for: what a perfect fit!

Within an hour, Marissa was sold on our vision. She understood the value SoJo could provide to the GreenSpace community, was generous in connecting me to other networks in the city, offered to have me work from the space for a day to mingle with the members and get a feel of their community. Once live, SoJo will be GreenSpaces' official Online Resources Partner; we will provide their 10,000+ community access to SoJo's resources to complement their offline efforts. 

I'm halfway through my two week networking trip in New York City. A conference, some events and many meetings are being coordinated with the goal of building a network to ultimately gain access to a larger user base in the United States.  Being based in Canada, there is only so much reach we have, therefore forming strategic partnerships like this one is key to building our user base. I'm excited to announce our first local partnership in New York look forward to telling you about more partnerships as they get formed. 

7 Legitimate Work-at-Home Jobs for 20-Somethings

By John Pacenti | Bankrate.com – Mon, Jul 16, 2012 3:05 AM EDT

One ad reads, "I will juggle three fire clubs with a firework on my head for $5." Another offers a 45-minute Spanish lesson on Skype or professional advice on buying real estate. All are on Fiver.com where anybody can sell a service for $5, many through the Internet.

The website is indicative of how the work-at-home job scene has evolved in just the last few years.

"We are now seeing younger and younger people working from home," says Michael Haaren, co-founder of RatRaceRebellion.com, which has tracked 17,000 telecommuting jobs since 2007.

"Three years ago, the person who typically worked at home was a mom who wanted to be there for her children. Now it's skewing younger -- and the young people, they are multitasking."

Many young people have turned to telecommuting due to the lack of entry-level jobs in a struggling economy, Haaren says. These jobs can vary wildly and do not always pay well, but for the intrepid they can be pieced together to pay the bills.

[Related: High-Paying, Low-Stress Jobs]

From more lucrative positions to the usual telecommuting stalwarts, Bankrate took a look at seven industries where a computer in a spare bedroom could mean lots of spare change.

Take your business idea to the Web

Job: Internet entrepreneur
Pay: Potentially millions of dollars

The idea of the struggling artist has given way to that of the ambitious entrepreneur.

Marissa Feinberg says she sees a number of these dreamers at her business, Green Spaces, which provides them with an office setting when needed.

"Everyone is trying to be the next Facebook, the next Mark Zuckerberg, the next Instagram," she says. "They are getting new funding and circulating their ideas."

Haaren describes the Internet entrepreneur movement as a "tanker full of gasoline."

He pointed to the website Kickstarter.com and Crowdfunding.com, where creators of innovative projects can seek money.

Haaren also says new legislation supported by President Barack Obama will allow entrepreneurs to hold "mini IPOs" to get their businesses off the ground. One startup, he says, raised $3 million to fund its idea of synching electronic devices to a watch-like gadget.

Success stories such as Omgpop are fueling the fire. The one-time struggling startup hit it big with the Pictionary-styled smartphone game "Draw Something." The popularity of the game drew the attention of media game company Zynga, which purchased Omgpop earlier this year for almost $200 million.

The customer is always right

Job: Customer service agents
Pay: $8 to $15 per hour

The backbone of the work-at-home sector is customer service. And it's attractive to the younger set still looking to enter the job market because all one needs is a telephone and time.

Haaren says the service can vary widely. "Generally it's for inbound calls," he says. "It could be 'I need help ordering a pizza' (or) helping people with their credit cards." U-Haul, American Express, Apple and AAA are increasingly using home-based customer service agents, he says. Amazon is also looking to wade into the waters.

"That's a big deal," Haaren says. "Amazon is like the 500,000-pound gorilla."

Allstayathome.com says customer service jobs are very plentiful, but unlike other jobs done from the residence, many companies require a set work schedule. The upside, though, is they may hire customer service agents as permanent employees rather than contractors. This means regular paychecks and benefits.

The downside to being a customer service agent is that companies often require a background check, for which that applicant may have to pay. And, of course, dealing with unhappy customers comes with the territory, so a high threshold for abuse is often a necessity.

'How may I assist you?'

Job: "Virtual" assistants
Pay: Up to $44,000 per year

Young adults are flocking to virtual assistant jobs, Haaren says. Ads for this line of work vary. Some call for someone who can assist bank customers, others ask for a computer-savvy employee who knows Microsoft Word. Haaren says Internet research jobs such as these are some of the most abundant home-based jobs at the moment.

Another area for virtual assistants to explore is the integration of social media into businesses to get out their message on Facebook, Twitter and other bulletin board sites. "It's a lot of work, and a lot of people would just rather pay someone to do it," Truex says.

Indeed.com, a leading online job search site, says virtual assistants can earn as much as $44,000 per year, but there are young people offering their services as virtual assistants on the Internet for as little as $3 per hour.

Click here for the full story.

50 Shades of Green: Full Moon Harvest Fest

Toted as Denver’s largest eco-music festival, this year’s upcoming Green Space’s Full Moon Harvest Fest will host Denver’s biggest gathering of Colorado businesses helping drive growth in Colorado’s economy while remaining committed to sustaining our picture perfect state.  The affair advertises something for everyone including tastings for beer and spirits, live music from a throng of bands, yummy sustainably grown food from farmers markets and food trucks to help alleviate any hunger pangs you may get while enjoying the festivities.

The festival takes place September 29th at Denver’s Sustainability Park located at 25th and Arapahoe, running from noon until 10pm.  The cost is free until 5PM and $5 dollars after, children 12 and under are free.

The event is hosted by Green Spaces, an innovative company for socially conscious entrepreneurs with offices both here and in New York. Green Spaces unites concerns of eco and social responsibility and grassroots efforts in a shared office space setting  offering eco-friendly solutions to the ever growing corporate concrete jungle. Founder of Green Spaces and festival director Jennie Nevin is on a mission to cultivate change:

“From performances to interactive demonstrations, the festival connects visionaries and leaders to instill a lasting consciousness about how our actions and choices impact the planet.  This is an opportunity to bring like-minded individuals to facilitate change on a grassroots level and to  have a significant impact in the green movement here in Colorado.” 

Thankfully, Jennie is not alone in her challenge. Mayor Hancock will be there to kick off the day by hosting his 2nd Sustainable Food Systems Roundtable, rallying key sustainability stakeholders in our own locality. Sarah Wells, member of the Mayor Hancock’s Denver Seeds Taskforce, reiterates the celebratory of the affair saying, “There are so many wonderful organizations and businesses here in Denver that are changing the face of Colorado’s economy and we’re excited to help showcase them as part of this uniquely Denver event.”

This community event brings together thousands of individuals, musicians, artists, local business owners,friends, and families alike to enjoy a truly unique approach to bring some good into our own backyard.  Time and commitment and probably some blood, sweat, and tears have been thrown into shaping this occasion.  So if running to the grocery store is on your list, bring a bag and purchase some local farm grown food. If you planned on relaxing over the weekend, the event just so happens to be at a park with availability to drinks and food (that you don’t have to cook or clean) along with some musical tunes.  And if you’re curious about local eco-friendly businesses that are available to meet your needs, a plethora has been rounded up for that very reason.

Sign up now to save your spot at www.greenspacecolorado.com.

Did I mention they have fire dancing?

 

Lindsy's passions include her hubby and son, nutrition, all things- healthy, coloring and chocolate shakes. She covers topics ranging from health, politics,and beauty as they relate to green living for 303 Magazine – 50 Shades of Green. Check back for eco-friendly news and events in the Denver Metro area.

Tilt: Fall Twenty Twelve

Saturday, Sep 29 12:00p

at Green Spaces, New York, NY

Age Suitability: None Specified

TAGS: social, meetings

what is tilt? 
tilt is a cross between a startup accelerator and brainstorming competition. it simulates startup life in a single afternoon. 
the event is comprised of challengers from various creative endeavors within the internet industry - just like you (developers, designers, UX, marketers and strategists). 
competitors are put them into teams that balances their skill sets. we give you a theme, establish rounds and present various challenges. you create and pitch.

click here for tickets.

Coworking in New York: Green Spaces

By Katherine Tracey | September 1, 2012 at 1:02 am | No comments | Ideas, sep 2012 - coworking | Tags: coworking, environment, green living

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The Big Apple is home to an increasingly influential movement in workspace design – coworking. Here is one of four places we’re featuring as examples of atypical office spaces that offer big opportunities for non-traditional workers.

Founders: Jennie Nevin and Marissa Feinberg

Jennie and I once co-created a networking group for leaders in sustainability together called Green Leaders Global. It consisted of more than 1,000 leaders across every industry: media, retail, design, education, real estate, health, technology, politics, science and more. When we gathered for intimate events, incredible collaborations sparked.

From it, we thought, “Imagine what would happen if we worked from the same space every day!”

Green Spaces

So that’s how Green Spaces started, and we designed it for collaboration.

The environment is totally open, except for two conference rooms. Therefore, people organically engage with one another, as opposed to separate offices. We also share everything: kitchen, printer, lounge, mailbox, conference rooms, wifi, networking resources, and more.

We’re a great example of the hot, collaborative consumption movement. It is more efficient and economical to pool resources than to purchase them just for your own business.

Green Spaces

We exist for environmental and social entrepreneurs. The majority of our 100+ member organizations are focused on making the world better. We have companies in cleantech, sustainable food, green real estate, good wood, nonprofit, eco fashion, and more.

Our design is as environmental as possible, with furniture that has all been recycled and repurposed, as well as vendors that are conscious. From our fair-trade coffee to our printer with inks made of food, we have mother Earth in mind.

Green Spaces

We also have a Community Manager, Eva Navon. She has played a great role in making sure everyone is happy, and that has been crucial to our success. She also gets to know our members so when they join an office that is shared by others they feel welcome and can instantly have a new friend. Comfort is key. Therefore, a seamless infrastructure and inviting team are crucial.

Green Spaces

Since working at Green Spaces is working in a physical network, our members are very savvy and influential people. They are constantly circulating with new startup companies and up on the latest industry trends, and they are on the pulse of social networks and have strong followings.

Our members are also community minded. To share, people need to be considerate of others and open to caring about the people and world around them.

Founder – Marissa Feinberg

GREEN SPACES NEW YORK (TriBeCa)

394 Broadway, 5th floor

New York, NY

 

GREEN SPACES COLORADO

1368 26th Street

Denver, CO

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katherine Tracey is Workspace Design Magazine's marketing and advertising director. She is intrigued by the combination of design & business in the A/E/C industry. When she is not working on the magazine you can find her out sailing on the bay, skiing down a snowy slope or exploring new places.

NY Is Co-Working Mecca

With more professionals today working as collaborators or freelancers, NY has become the co-working capital of the world. Companies such as New Work City, Green Spaces, or Bitmap Creative Labs are making “rent-a-desk” locations a profitable business. According to Crains New York, these businesses provide a place to work and the opportunity to share ideas, expertise or gossip with fellow freelancers and startups.

Currently the bulk of revenue for most co-working sites come from membership fees, usually tiered and allowing different levels of access. This could mean the number of days or desks available to an individual or company, or desk-free memberships that allow people to participate in workshops or other community activities. Additional profits come from hosting frequent events for members and nonmembers, film screenings, discussions, or classes.

Crains 

Rent-a-desk scene heats up

As the number of local co-working communities doubles, work-space owners must get creative to stand out.

By Anne Field

Five years ago, Tony Bacigalupo, a project manager for a Web development firm, started stationing himself in cafés in Manhattan along with other comrades who had been working from home.

In 2008, Mr. Bacigalupo co-founded New Work City, a business tapping into the growing co-working trend. It now provides desk space and access to events and discussion groups to professionals and artists for a $30- to $300-a-month membership fee in a 4,700-square-foot location in lower Manhattan.

"I wanted to build a place that was as much about people connecting to each other as providing a work space," he said. With about 150 members, the profitable one-employee company has "under $1 million" in revenue, he said.

Mr. Bacigalupo isn't alone. With about 62 locations, up from 28 a year ago, mostly in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York City is the co-working capital of the world, according to Carsten Foertsch, co-founder of online publication Deskmag, which covers the topic.

Equal parts real estate solution and social movement, these businesses provide both a place to work and the opportunity to share ideas, expertise and gossip with fellow freelancers and startups seeking affordable space. The availability of inexpensive laptops and mobile technology makes it easy for clients to work this way. "Fifteen years ago, you were trapped in a regular office," said Mr. Foertsch.

At the same time, however, turning a co-working site into a profitable concern is difficult in New York. "Rents are pretty steep," said Mr. Bacigalupo. There's also potential for oversaturation of the market.

The bulk of revenue for most co-working sites come from membership fees, usually tiered and allowing different levels of access. Take 5-year-old, two-employee Green Spaces, a 6,000-square-foot Manhattan site aimed at environmental and social entrepreneurs, according to co-founder Marissa Feinberg. Options include access to one of 45 dedicated desks that only its 150 members can use for $550 a month.

Hosting frequent events for members and nonmembers, as well as renting out the location for film screenings and the like, often provides additional revenue. Green Spaces rents out its site on weekends to groups offering programs on such topics as how to run a sustainable business. Speakers and other professionals also pay to use the location after-hours for workshops. It's also starting to sell $50 monthly memberships, offering access to an unlimited number of events.

Such activities contribute 20% to 30% of revenue, which are "under $1 million," according to Ms. Feinberg, whose company is profitable.

Holding gatherings also helps create a sense of community, a key to running a thriving space, said Mr. Foertsch. To help his members connect, Nick Robalik, founder of Bitmap Creative Labs, a 2,500-square-foot space in Williamsburg aimed at architects, graphic designers and the like, also usually assigns desks so that people in complementary professions are neighbors.

"We encourage collaboration," said Mr. Robalik, whose company, with "less than $1 million in revenues," is breaking even.

TIPS

SELECT THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD. That means one with many freelancers and startups. “People probably won’t choose a place that’s an hour away,” said Deskmag founder Carsten Foertsch.

OFFER DESK-FREE MEMBERSHIP RATES. Some people may want to take part in workshops and participate in the community, and not use the space for work.

A version of this article appeared in the Jul. 30, 2012, print issue of Crain's New York Business.

Read more: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120729/SUB/307299985#ixzz228u2Sm1P

Green Product Placement: A Novel Idea

by Human Impacts Institute Crew

As a Human Impacts Institute representative, I was delighted to attend the Green Spaces inspirational talk given by Beth Bell, president and founder of Green Product Placement, a simply novel idea which is a much welcome and needed piece of the puzzle in trying to shift our currently unsustainable society to a more sustainable one. HII is thrilled to have more people working towards achieving our goal of inspiring people’s engagement through experimental education for achieving a more energy efficient and sustainable future.

Beth identified the opportunity and potential to market green products which are trying to gain more prevalence in the retail market. Her recognition of the potential of such marketing for her clients stemmed from both a personal desire to see more choices available to consumers wishing to purchase green products, while narrowing the gap currently consisting of large monopolies of bigger organizations and marketing chains. Beth represents multiple clients with whom she is well positioned to help place in various types of placement due to her many years of expertise working in this field. While working on the film set of “Runaway Bride,” she was asked to find less conventional hair products for the salon scene. Beth also features in ted.com an interview with Morgan Spurlock.

Those lucky enough to attend this event had the opportunity to place their business cards in a bucket for a draw for a goody bag, full of products that Beth currently looks after for her diverse client base. I happened to be the lucky winner of this goody bag packed full of great green sustainable products, ranging from eco-friendly laundry cleaner, to chips, gluten-free chocolate and cookies, not to mention a new tote bag made from recycled billboard. For more information on Beth’s clients and the contents of the goody bag, see the attached pictures to view some of these products.

Beth wanted to find ways to overcome barriers for green products through advertising and endorsements. She explained some of the various methods available for marketing today, including the use of social media, Google, YouTube, and various blogs to drive traffic to client websites.  The advantages of Green Product Placement and its greater exposure over small print ads were discussed. Beth described how in-store promotions have an immediate captive audience, how Groupon works well as a marketing tool for targeting lower- to middle-income earners, and how trade shows have networking and target audience advantages, but are expensive. She then went on to show how her product placement — through integration, sponsorship, and featured props or background props on a set, could give the best opportunity to reach the widest possible audience, and offer her clients the best chance to succeed.

When asked by a member of the audience how she decides what clients to chose and if there was a criteria for what she considered a green product, Beth’s response indicated that she makes her decisions with her business partner, Lisa Dietrich, on a case-by-case basis. Her decision to represent her clients’ products is based on various criteria, including whether the product is developed in a sustainable manner, if it contains green sustainable ingredients, and depending on if it gives back to the community.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening with great insight into green product placement.  Of equal interest was Green Spaces, who did a fantastic job hosting the event, which was set up by Marissa Feinberg, whose vision was to create a workspace for those interested in working in an open and inspirational office setting. Those interested in utilizing this space to conduct their own work can rent a space on the fifth floor of 394 Broadway. Green Spaces is within walking distance from some of New York City’s famous landmarks, including the Empire State Building; it’s a wonderful location choice. Its open plan set-up allows those who work there to do so while encouraging an open, collaborative, and friendly workspace. A glass-enclosed conference room located near the back of the office space provides a great facility for those wishing to participate in conferences or meetings alike. If you would like to learn more about trying this work space, Green Spaces also offers a free day pass, which can be downloaded from their website, allowing you to come and work in this office for one day, free of charge.

As host to the event, Green Spaces provided guests with a great selection of food and wine from which to choose, from strawberries and grapes to crackers and cheeses — not to mention chocolate-covered pretzels!  Chilled white wine provided a much welcomed cooling refreshment to the guests. Even the wine itself fit the green theme with bottles of 2010 Green Fin white fine from California, made with organic grapes.

Would you know where to purchase a green laundry detergent? Or how about an environmental friendly lip balm, or a sustainably produced sugar? It was this frustration and recognition of a niche in the current market that inspired Beth to begin Green Product Placement. She described how she wanted to provide the consumer with better choices regarding the product selection available to them in shops, while helping new entrepreneurs of green products to successfully emerge in the difficult market place of today. She identified that the most successful way to help her clients break into the market place involved targeted marketing through the media and careful product placement, thus providing them a larger audience and a greater chance to succeed.

If Green Product Placement is successful, our future should see a greater selection of green products available for consumption, a reduction in current market monopolies, and a greater power and influence to the consumer over what products they purchase and therefore what products are produced for future markets. Our future will hopefully see a shifting in our culture towards a more sustainable future, and providing you and I more power and influence over the products we choose to consume.

For more information see:

http://www.humanimpactsinstitute.org

www.greenproductplacement.com

Facebook:greenproductplacement

Twitter:@GreenPrdctPlac

http://www.greenspaceshome.com

 Elaine Baker, Human Impacts Institute, NGO Management Intern 2012

Startup Tech Companies with Revolutionary Idea

There are a lot of startups being built today and many of those have ideas that aren’t found in any companies before. A lot of these also rely heavily on technologies to get things done and if you are interested in knowing some of them, you better read on because we have quite a few startup tech companies with revolutionary ideas.

Green Spaces 

If you live in New York or Denver or are planning to set up an office in any of these locations, then consider checking out Green Spaces for your needs. This is because one of the aims of Green Space is to provide coworking office space for social technopreneurs. The good thing about Green Space is its environment itself. You will be surrounded with a community of people who are willing to do networking and work together with you. Read more: Green Spaces: Entrepreneurial Space in NY & Colorado

Green Product Marketing in Entertainment Media Event at Green Spaces NYC

by Lindsay E. Brown · 07/10/12

Daddy Van’s, one of the many brands Green Product Placement works with.

Green products — as healthy and wondrous as they are — often do not have the mainstream appeal to take them to the next level.

That’s changing.

Beth Bell, founder of Green Product Placement, will host a dynamic presentation July 12, from 7-9, that will cover topics on multi-faceted marketing in entertainment media for green products, including social media, experiential and traditional marketing, and product placement. Believe it or not, attending won’t cost you a dime.

RSVP for this free event at Green Spaces NYC here. 

If you’re a natural product (or service) business owner, marketer or employee, take advantage of this event — at coworking hotspot Green Spaces NYC’s awesome Tribeca location — that will help you appeal to a broader customer base, affecting real change in sustainable consumer habits.

Green Spaces NYC, coworking space by day, sustainable event venue by night.

The presentation will be approximately 45 minutes, followed by a Q&A session with Bell, and networking to follow.

Bell is a movie /TV industry and marketing professional who has worked on such films as “Game Change,” “Runaway Bride,” “Twelve Monkeys,” and “Contact.” She and her business partner, Lisa Dietrich, have 35 plus years combined in the industry, and have assembled a team at Green Product Placement that is poised to put green products center stage in TV and movies in 2012.

Beth Bell and Lisa Dietrich of Green Product Placement at a Green Spaces event.

Green Product Placement has placements in the new HBO series, “VEEP,” Showcase Canada’s “King,” pilots for Fox and the CW, HBO’s “Enlightened,” Netflix’s “House of Cards,” Indie Film “Better Living Through Chemistry,” TNT’s “Leverage,” and feature film “The Internship” with Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson for 20th Century Fox.

The company also has relationships with USA Network’s “Suits,” “Gossip Girl,” “The Good Wife,” “Single Ladies,” “Blue Bloods,” and “Mike and Molly.”

Network, learn from Bell’s expertise, and enjoy a fun-filled evening at Green Spaces this Thursday!

 Photo Credit: Green Product Placement; Image of Green Spaces courtesy of Green Spaces

 coworking, green businesses, green marketing, Green Spaces,marketing, natural brands, natural products, product placement

Lindsay E. Brown is the managing editor of Eco-Chick, co-author of "Don't Hook Up," and a contributing writer at LauraTurnerSeydel.com, Eco-Age.com, Ecover US and GatherGreen.com. She's written for publications including Cottages & Gardens and Edible, and pens the wildly popular series "Heroines for the Planet" on Eco Chick. Lindsay is pursuing her M.S. in broadcast at Columbia Journalism School.Like her work? Follow Lindsay on Twitter: @LindsEBrown. Know a trailblazing woman you'd like to recommend for #HeroinesforthePlanet? Email Lindsay@Eco-Chick.com.