Denver Coworking Week: What it is and Why You Want In

by Nicole Relyea on 05/06/2013

Today kicks off the first-ever Denver Coworking Week. The brainchild of Creative Density's Craig Baute and Greenspaces' Jennie Nevin, the goal of Denver Coworking Week is to introduce more people to the concept of coworking, and to bring the local coworking community together through free coworking days, tours, workshops, and social events. 

"Denver Coworking Week got started as a way to build awareness of coworking under one voice. We realized that, as coworking spaces, our greatest competition isn't one another, but the general lack of awareness about coworking," says Baute, pictured in front of Creative Density's space below (Photo courtesy Chris Kissner of ProCntr) "We also want to know where people want future coworking communities so we can keep creating spaces for our members with their input along the way. We think of Denver Coworking Week as the start of the conversation with new members that might not be right in our current neighborhoods."

Each of Denver's coworking spaces has a unique personality and draws a different kind of crowd. By opening up the spaces this week, freelancers, remote workers, and startups have the opportunity to experience each space and find out which one is right for them. 

"There are so many benefits to coworking," says Nevin. "Working from home can be lonely, coworking allows you to make friends. For anyone who’s working from home or a coffee shop – this is a great chance to try out working at different spaces, see what it’s all about, try out the cuture and the people. Go to the events to meet the community that’s part of the different spaces. See what it’s like to work at a coworking space. " 

Highlighted events this week include the launch of Galaxy Unite, a service to help coworkers throughout the US find freelance gigs that best match their skills.

On Wednesday, Greenspaces will be hosting this month's edition of The Forum: Stories that Create, at which several companies from Galvanize (including Built In Denver) will be speaking. 

The Desk will be hosting a Small Business and Coworking Roundtable on programs that help small businesses succeed with local, state, and national government panelists. The week wraps up with a kickball tournament on Friday. 

Here's the full passport for this week's events: 

For more information, visit: http://www.denvercoworks.org/denver-coworking-week/

Leeap Project - NYC - The True Hustler

New York (or ‘Silicon Alley’ as it’s known within the startup community) breeds a special kind of entrepreneur – the true hustler. The level of competition here is staggering, however there is such a dense and supportive community to help give you a real fighting chance – watch out Palo Alto! But be warned, the cost of living here is extreme so prepare to familarise yourself with Ramen Noodles, fast.

The startup community in NYC is growing at astronomical rates with groups like Tech Meetup’s 28,000 members regularly gathering in swarms of 800+ every month. Every vertical you can image has a thriving community, even the most ‘niece’ industry or sector will have a meetup or gathering organisation of some form. From distributed information systems, to secondhand clothing, to nanotechnology – whatever the industry, you’ll find a group of people in NYC who share you passion. Being immersed in a highly dense environment by driven and like-mined people is what makes the allure and opportunity of New York so appealing.

Considering that Manhattan accounts for almost 10% of national GDP, it’s not hard to understand that capital and personal wealth is in abundance here. Venture capital firms in most cases are looking for strong business models as well as other partnering firms that would be able to add value to a potential round of capital raising.

One of the most first criteria that a VC will grade a potential deal on is how the opportunity got in front of them in the first place. As Andrew Mitchell (Managing Partner at ZIG Capital) told me – “How did this deal get on my desk?” Although cold calling/emailing can *sometimes* work, how the VC game is played in NYC is all about connections – so if you’re willing to take the plunge, prepare to build a network and take the time to understand the community (and investors) before reaching out for money.

A rising trend towards promoting and fostering more socially impactful, clean tech and non-profit startups is especially abundant in a place like NYC and has driven the creation of dedicated co-working spaces like Green Spaces as “playgrounds” for innovation and socially conscious entrepreneurs wanting to make a difference. Very impressed with this space, and those inside of it!

The popularity of co-working spaces over the last 2 years has grown exponentially around the world, however no single entity has arguably been as successful than NYC-born General Assembly. In under 3 years Adam Pritzker, Matthew O.Brimer and Brad Hargreaves have expanded GA campus’ and educational services across the nation and recently opened up offices internationally. If you decide that NYC is in your sights, make sure GA is one of the first places you land.

There is an indescribable buzz and energy about the city that’s completely intoxicating and infectious. Although you’re a tiny fish in a seemingly endless ocean, the osmosis effect of the city pushes your harder, makes you work smarter, and places you in an environment where you have the capacity to truly excel on the world stage.

If you can make it here, everyone will pay attention.

Green Spaces: Coworking for eco-preneurs

Striking out on your own?

Not only can starting your own green business be intimidating, it can get pricey. Why not save some money and network with other eco-minded entrepreneurs by coworking?

Co-working spaces are, by virtue, pretty a pretty sustainable way of growing your startup. Instead of renting a storefront or an office, coworking spaces take preexisting real estate and makes it suitable for real, honest to goodness business building.

Amenities typically include Wi-Fi, conference rooms, printing facilities, and most critically, coffee. The best part is that they create an atmosphere wherein you can connect fellow entrepreneurs and even collaborate, if the stars align.

During my research for the article,  ”The Frugal Entrepreneur’s Starter Kit“ at Small BusinessComputing, I came across Green Spaces, a swank looking place to get going on your green startup in NYC and Denver.

…For instance, Green Spaces in New York City offers eco-minded entrepreneurs a day pass that costs $35 or full, seven-day access for as little as $295 month. Good luck finding even a sliver of office space for that amount in Manhattan... a great way to network without all the forced, well networking, of industry meet-and-greets. Give it a shot and hit up your local co-working space for many of the perks of having an office without all that overhead.

Image credit: Green Spaces

What's coworking? And why is it so awesome?

For entrepreneurs and other independent workers, coworking offices like Green Spaces are an ideal alternative to working at home.

With the economy in a long, slow recovery, with many people still looking for work, some have created their own jobs. Others have found that working for someone else is frustrating, unfulfilling, or just doesn't fit their personalities (I'm a part of the latter group). For whatever reason, more people than ever before are working for themselves. About a year and a half ago, I chose to join the growing group of American workers who are independent workers, and while it has been a tough climb to financial stability (and I still don't have health insurance), I'm making it work — and I love it. 

The advantages are numerous; working for yourself means you set your own hours and work when it suits you best — I like to meditate and work out in the mornings, and then eat a big, homemade breakfast, so I don't get to my desk until 11 a.m., but I work until 7 or 8 most evenings. This schedule takes advantage of the time that I'm most productive. Other advantages include being able to work while traveling, and taking weekdays off when I feel like it (and working on a Sunday instead). And yes, sometimes I work in my pajamas, and in any case, am always wearing something comfortable and in a relaxed, healthy environment with lots of fresh air and quiet (no water cooler chit-chat or random pointless conversations with coworkers to distract me — one of the things that drove me really insane working in an office). 

 

But if you work at home, you know the cons. Sometimes it can feel isolating, or a bit lonely. Receiving all your business mail at your home means you are giving your home address out to anyone who asks, and separating work from home life is a challenge.

 

Enter coworking offices. I have recently begun working at one part-time in NYC called Green Spaces (the same owners have a similar office in Denver, too). It is lively and dynamic, but not loud or distracting, filled with other eco- and socially involved entrepreneurs and independent workers. While I'm working in an environment that's definitely not lonely or isolating, there are other advantages, too. It is inherently more economically sustainable, and shared resources means that it's more eco-friendly. Green Spaces is even greener by providing compost and recycling, a dishwasher for reusing dishes and glassware, as well as recycled paper in the shared printer, and other healthy aspects, including the use of green cleaners (so I can literally breathe easier). I can also take advantage of conference rooms to do interviews or conduct meetings and network at weekly lunches to crowdsource opinions, ideas and feedback about my work from people who do different, but related types of work. 

 

As a part-time coworker at Green Spaces, I just bring my laptop and set up in the laptop lounge, which is so much better than fighting for space at a coffee shop and feeling the need to leave after a couple of hours. But if you are in need of a real desk, a dedicated phone line, and storage space, Green Spaces offers that as well. Check out the company's virtual tour for more details. 

 

Coworking is growing in popularity across the U.S. and Europe, and I think it's the future of how we work — near, but not always in our homes, coworking offices like Green Spaces allow us to get out and about without the distractions of a typical office. And it gives us independent workers a place to go and an excuse to get out of our pajamas every day.

64 Co-working Spaces For Every Entrepreneur

Last summer, you voted on the Top 10 Cities for Young Entrepreneurs. Now, we’re listing all the innovative co-working workspaces in those cities.

Here are 64 co-working spaces for every entrepreneur…

New York City

• Green Spaces NY – Collective workspace for sustainability-oriented small businesses. Green Spaces also has a Denver location.
• Green Desk – Locations in Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Greenpoint and soon to be Williamburg, this is one of the original co-working spaces in the 5 boroughs.
• Wix Lounge – This free co-working space is run by Wix Website Builder and provides a space for anyone to come and grab a desk.
• New Work City – Manhattan’s oldest community coworking space. Full-time, part-time, and drop-in memberships, as well as workshops and events.
• The Hive at 55 – Shared workspace for 30+ people, three private workrooms, as well as flexible space for conferences and workshops. Sponsored by the Alliance for Downtown New York.
• WeWorkNYC – Arguably the hottest co-working concept in the city with Midtown, Meatpacking and 2 SoHo locations.
• Grind Spaces – Located at 26th and Park in the Flatiron District, this space is one of the nicest designs in the city and a sponsor of Lean Startup Machine.

Thanks for the mention of us alongside our NYC peers!

Simplify Green: Tips on How to Go Eco - Easy Ways for Businesses to Save While Saving the Planet

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS 4.20.12, BY FRAN GOLDEN

For small businesses, going green can be more than a do-good move inspired by Earth Day. Sustainability practices can actually help your bottom line.

"It's saving the planet. It's best to look at everything we do through a sustainable lens," U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) Deputy Administrator Marie Johns tells the Daily News.

"There's also a financial benefit. In the long run, it's going to end up saving costs."

When it comes to going green, you don't need much effort or cash to get started, experts say.

"The infrastructure of your company is an easy place for everyone to make a start," says Marissa Feinberg, co-founder of Green Spaces, a coworking space for eco-focused entrepreneurs in Tribeca.

"A lot of people are scared of going green because they don't know what it is. But even something like switching to recycled paper is a great start."

Going green doesn't mean you have to install solar panels or bamboo flooring or other costly upgrades, adds Zach Fried, a small business sustainability consultant with smartBizNY .

"Businesses that focus solely on products and other 'sexy' aspects of green may succumb to the common misperception that green is too expensive," he says.

"Yet, companies of all sizes that have become leaner and meaner through a sensible implementation of green measures can see reductions of 10% to 30% in their operating costs."

Replacing an old and inefficient boiler in your basement can save money, plus you can get help paying for an upgrade.

"Energy Star, NYSERDA and ConEd offer programs ranging from tax credits and rebates to energy audits," Fried says.

Green projects may qualify for federa
l government guaranteed loans , Johns says. The SBA also has a website in collaboration with the Navy (green.sba.gov).

Whether your business is home-based or brick-and-mortar, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed - what Fried calls "green paralysis" - with simple, basic changes to save money.

Adjusting climate controls, turning off lights and recycling efforts pay for themselves, can build momentum and add value to your business, he says. And greening doesn't mean giving up basic business functions.

At Green Spaces, for example, Feinberg says the Xerox machine turns itself off at night.

Another good way to look at going green is through collaboration. Feinberg says starting a carpooling program or sharing conference room space with other businesses is one way to start.

"Create a sharing movement in your office building," Feinberg says. "Sometimes, we have these huge highrises in the city and everyone does their own thing and don't collaborate."

And if you've got it, flaunt it, she adds. Green practices can put your business in a positive spotlight and attract customers.

Adds the SBA's Johns: "Many customers are looking for busi- nesses that are doing things in a green way."

TIPS ON HOW TO GO ECO

HERE ARE several ways your business can save some green by goin ggreen:

Create a green plan. Get the entire staff involved and nominate one member as the "green leader." Avoid broad state. ments about your commitment to greenness and focus on simple actions instead, says Zach Fried of smartBizNY.

Do more recycling. Try to improve on the city's minimum requirements. Make sure recycling bins are easily accessible to employees. And look at what can be reused, such as packaging materials.

Reduce paper. Encourage communications by email, share reports on PDFs, switch to paperless bill pay, print double-sided documents, and buy recycled paper.

Cut back on gas. Look at ways to reduce the commute of your employees by telecommuting, carpooling and buying hybrid company cars.

Save energy. Turn off lights at night and on weekends, shut down computers and copy machines (standby mode still draws power). Don't overheat or over cool your office. 

Use eco-friendly products. Go for recycled shipping materials, and nontoxic cleaning products. Green Spaces' Marissa Feinberg said the disposable cups used in her office are made of corn and are biodegradable - and are put in the office's compost bin.

Reuse office furniture. If you need furniture, don't shop new - go to Craigslist and look in the free section, or post your specific needs on Facebook or Twitter. 

How To Be Creative # 01: Surround Yourself With Good Company

We’re all about promoting creativity – it’s what we live to do and that’s why we’re launching a new series on what we know will help you make awesome. It’s in your reach, but like anything sometimes you just need a little nudge. Inertia’s a bitch like that.

Being creative is about sharing ideas. So much so that I’d say any of us are only as creative as the company we keep. By sharing ideas we’re clued in on the minds of others from different places and backgrounds, which I believe makes us that more likely to foster great ideas. It doesn’t have to be mind blowing like time travel or inventing the electric blanket mobile. Sometimes being creative is simply taking an idea one step further or applying a concept differently like T-post did with t-shirt magazine subscriptions.

Co-working is a great way to surround yourself with a diverse group of people. We do it here and learn so much from participating. It’s blown up on a worldwide scale, but you don’t really even have to be that organized. Who do you know in your life that has a really cool job or interesting side project? Strike up a conversation, take them to coffee or lunch and get them talking about their passion. You’ll be surprised how much hearing the excitement in their voice will motivate you.

Ready to take action? Be sure to check out:
Jelly
The HIVE
Green Spaces
Benefits of Co-working

Green Festival NYC at Green Spaces on NBC NY

This weekend Green Festival NYC will take over the Javits Center. It's no small feat to put together such a show. For Alix Davidson, this is the culmination of a lifetime of work. Green Spaces co-Founder Marissa Feinberg sings Alix's praises toward the end of the clip. Here's her story.

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

Collaborative Consumption hits NYC

The Sustainability Practice Network (SPN) organized an event that took place yesterday at Green Spaces to discuss the trend of collaborative consumption, which was identified by Time in 2010 as one of the 10 ideas that will change the world. The talk was moderated by Roo Rogers, founder of Ozolab and panelists included the entrepreneurs Jen Abrams, Our Goods; Ron J. Williams, SnapGoods; Paul Steely White, Transportation Alternatives; Danya Cheskis-Gold, Skillshare. Other representatives from related businesses were there as well, including Shared Squared NY and the German-founded carpooling.com, which is coming soon to the United States. Read more about the event and background information here.

Founder & CEO of Entrepreneurs That SOAR! Visits Green Spaces

Zef calls us, "hip and buzzing... great community of green, conscious people." Watch the video to see everyone in action! Thanks for visiting!