Check out NBC29’s coverage of OpenSpace:
Many thanks to our members and local entrepreneurs Zach Buckner, CEO and Founder of Retail Relay and Jennifer Hoyt Tidwell, Founder of Joyful Hot TV, for shining in the spotlight and talking the talk.
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We at OpenSpace are constantly brainstorming on how we can support the community’s entrepreneurs. One of the ways is to host gatherings that bring together professionals—assisting in strengthening ideas, networks, skills.
On February 27, we will be hosting our first open space conference in OpenSpace—beSwarm.
Some call it an open space conference or an (un)conference. The term unconference has been applied, or self-applied, to a wide range of gatherings that try to avoid the elements of a conventional conference.
beSwarm revolves around dynamic tech discussions and the outcome of such an event depends on (un)structure, rather than structure.
The (un)rules:
• Whoever shows up is the right group.
• Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.
• Whenever it starts is the right time.
• When it’s over, it’s over.
The (un)guidelines:
• Use the Law of Two Feet. Not interested in a topic? Move along.
• If you find a topic boring, find or start a new discussion.
• The emphasis is on discussion, not eyes-forward presentations.
Sign Up here or just show up!
• Saturday, February 27, 2010
• 10AM – 6PM
• Hosted by OpenSpace
• FREE (lunch offered at a discount)
• All details @ beSwarm
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As we all know, we are experiencing one of the worst economic times in years. Some say, in generations. And microbusinesses—a term referring to firms with fewer than five employees—are being hit with unmerciful force.
In the current climate, we have record numbers of small businesses on the brink of folding. Workers who feel they have no job security and so less to lose by starting their own business. And an unusually high percentage of unemployed professionals creating start-ups. What used to be risky is now a necessity.
And these small business owners are asking themselves:
Can communal work spaces like OpenSpace help businesses survive? Can coworking actually help businesses thrive? We believe they can.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of OpenSpace:
So whether you are a business team of 1 or 5, OpenSpace offers benefits you cannot find at the café, at home, at a remote windowless office. Check out our new Team Plans. We created these pricing plans with your bottom line in mind.
To read about small business/coworking success stories:
The Washington Post, Monday February 1, 2010
Affinity Lab in D.C. offers small and new businesses room to grow
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For the safety of our team, we will be closing at noon today, Friday, February 5th. Enjoy the snow!
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It’s winter. It’s cold. It’s snowy.
We will be closed tomorrow, Sunday, January 31, because of this white stuff.
Throw some snowballs, work out that back shoveling, see if your 4 X 4 has the power to get you somewhere.
Enjoy it all while you can, for this may be our last little blizzard before spring.
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When the work is done, it’s time to play.
And what better way to unwind then to go to the movies. But sometimes a night out at the movies goes slightly awry.
You know. We’ve all experienced a little grouchiness at a movie theater from time to time. We feel crowded. We feel uncomfortable. Our feet are sticking to the floor to gosh-knows-what. We just spent half our grocery money on tickets, snacks, and a drink. We anticipated a night out at the big screen, but now we’re just broke, disappointed, and afraid to use the bathrooms.
Welcome to The Warehouse District’s solution:
Join us for a screening of District 9. Did we happen to mention that it’s FREE?!? On the house, complimentary, gratis, no moolah, zero bucks. It doesn’t get any better than this.
And yet it does.
Drinks, popcorn, and snacks will also be provided for FREE. Yeah baby!
So reserve your green chair while spaces are open at OpenSpace. Seating capacity is set at 50.
The Bottom Line:
Who: Friends of OpenSpace at least 18 years old
What: District 9 (see trailer)
Where: OpenSpace, South Side
When: Saturday, January 30, 6:30PM
How: Attendees must RSVP via email to rsvp@getopenspace.com
Why: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
Update: Ughhh..let it snow?! With the snow forecast being as it is, we are postponing this Saturday’s FREE MOVIE NIGHT. We’ll keep you posted on new date!
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More and more people are choosing to work away from the traditional office. Today’s technology makes this easier by allowing us to stay fully connected almost anywhere we roam.
This new breed of worker has been lingoed: a “nomad”, the “mobile worker”, or “worker in limbo”. The word on the street is that about 23% of the U.S. do their jobs outside of the office and this number is on the rise.
So as people work outside the box, moving around in the real world, they find the freedom exhilarating and motivating. But they also find that working alone can be lonely. We are social creatures after all. Being connected to the Internet does not replace being connected to other human beings.
That’s where places like OpenSpace come in. We offer the connection, the buzz, the synergy. The atmosphere needed to work independently and a feeling of belonging to a community.
These “coworking centers” or “limbo pit-stops”, or “creative work environments” are popping up in cities across the nation. They are all a different flavor, depending on the needs and philosophies of the locals. There is Office Nomads in Seattle, Beehive Baltimore in Maryland, BLANKSPACES in L.A., Sandbox Suites in San Francisco, and New Work City in Manhattan–to name a few.
And the media is getting caught up on the buzz.
NPR ran the story Co-Working Offers Community To Solo Workers on January 6, 2010.
CNN ran the story Working in ‘Wi-Fi’ limbo on January 22, 2010.
If you’re in the Charlottesville area and you haven’t stopped by OpenSpace for a tour, please do. Our staff are kindly, our members are eclectic, and our coffee is hot.
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Wish you could leave your gear at OpenSpace? Think it would be cool to get your mail at OpenSpace? Secure your very own locker now.
For Pay-As-You-Go Members, it is only $25/month for a locker big enough to easily hold your laptop, books, papers, and most anything you do not want to lug around. And mail service is included! When you receive mail at OpenSpace, one of the Concierges will slide your mail through a slot in your locker. Voila. Snail mail at your fingertips.
For Unlimited Members, while supplies last, the locker is included in your plan. No extra cost for you to store your stuff and receive your mail at OpenSpace.
Currently, the lockers are positioned on the South Side. Next time you’re in OpenSpace, go and check them out. Test them out to see if all your work items fit. To make it officially yours, just talk to the Concierge on duty. Pick your locker and get your key. It’s that easy.
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On Thursday, February 4, 6PM-7:30PM, OpenSpace is honored to host AgileCville’s special FREE event and is charged up to welcome and learn from guest speaker Lyssa Adkins.
Lyssa Adkins’ Bio:
Lyssa Adkins is someone to pay attention to in the Agile world. She is a certified Scrum Trainer and an experienced Agile Coach, who came to Agile as a project leader with more than fifteen years of project management success. She has gained this experience by leading teams in a wide variety of industries through large and small consulting firms, commercial software companies, and the Fortune 500.
Event Topics:
Lyssa will provide an overview of what an Agile Coach is and the role he or she plays within an Agile team. She will also explore the required mindset, allied disciplines and skills, and share some practical tips to help Agile Coaches and their teams achieve astonishing results.
Event Sponsor:
Agile Richmond is a professional non-profit organization of people committed to promoting and supporting Agile and Lean practices in Central Virginia. Agile Richmond is an inspiring community of people who fearlessly share ideas and experiences in order to help each other learn and grow as humans and professionals. Agile Richmond is proud to support AgileCville and the local Charlottesville Agile community.
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Charlottesville is really starting to bustle about– shopping, decorating, and celebrating.
We will join in the festivities as we host the Holiday Craftacular this Friday from
4pm – 8pm and Saturday from 10am – 5pm. Please come and support local artists and designers who will be displaying unique gifts like handcrafted jewelry and stoneware pottery.
After this year’s meetings, events, and collaborating come to a pause, OpenSpace will be closed for a few days– taking time to upgrade, regroup, and revitalize.
Holiday Hours
Wednesday, December 23 8:00am – 8:00pm
Thursday, Decmeber 24 – Sunday, January 3 Closed
Monday, January 4 8:00am – 8:00pm
Happy Holidays to all of you from OpenSpace.
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