The Creative Space idea
Mission: To strategically combine a private sector, local investment, “grassroots” operation of a novel and attractive coworking space with its community members, partners and other resources stockholders..
Partners/Stakeholders
1. Local Owners and Members of the space
– startups and serviced based members
2. Accelerator/Incubation Centre/Mars/etc.
– consulting,mentorship, incubation,innovation hub programs
-locally or virtually offered
3. Local Academic Institutions (Jr/Sr High Schools, College and Universities)
– to start a digital media zone type centre along side/within the Space
– Young Entrepreneur programs
4. Local Mentor Network/Chamber/Local Enterprise Services Centre
– mentorship/resources for local businesses. (service based/startups)
– locally operated
5. Local startup community enablers
– lawyers, accountants, VCs, AIs, etc
A Win-Win Scenario
The community/city wins as it now has a community owned, sustainable local business space attracting and retaining entrepreneurs in its downtown core.
The Creative Space (TM) brings economic and cultural stimulus to the downtown or area sector.
The service based members win by having low cost rent and high value networking relationships… A place to work, meet and learn.
The startups have the same space, but with the added benefit of being connected to the service organizations and companies for support, and to the mentors in the community, those present as part of the accelerator programs as well as other key startup community enablers.
The accelerator centre programs (incubator/innovation programs – typically government funded) win as they now can focus on their core skills and know that the community care is covered locally. Their cost is a membership as opposed to taking on and maintaining their own space.
The Enterprise centre wins as they now are directly in contact with real companies working at every stage of growth. Instead of handing someone a pamphlet, business card or url, they can point them to a real person for direction or mentorship. They can have access to the local community mentors and when they are ready to make the leap to a business they can get a member[ship] month to month. They have access to meeting and workshop space.
All members can plug into the events, workshops and the non-member business in the area win as they receive spin off work and services requests and can utilize the space for meetings and workshops if available. (rooms rented by the hour)
What The Creative Space (TM) brings to the table are the core values, mentorship, programs, space documents, branding, marketing and ongoing support to operate a locally-driven Creative Space. Some of the things that make TCS unique is our love for the arts and re-claimed spaces and our environmental and social responsibility while supporting existing and emerging community resources, as well as organizations that create long-term community resources.
We’re putting together a launch kit, a Blueprint and the potential key local stakeholders (Municipal, Provincial and private) provide investment back to us for bringing TCS to their city/town, and/or a monthly licensing/mentorship fee. Each space needs to take on a look and feel of it’s own. But the power of the TCS brand will bring in even more partners/sponsors along the way and, with each new relationship established, the benefit is passed on to each local Creative Space.
The ultimate goal is to cultivate a true entrepreneur/startup culture and see it grow and be sustained through the support of the key stakeholders.
Value Proposition
We solve problems and create opportunities for our community & partners.
Becoming involved in a Creative Space Coworking Community reaps the benefits of a collaborative working atmosphere. Coworking augments one’s determination to work, opens up more opportunities for socializing and networking and enables you to solicit valuable insights and suggestions. Working in this atmosphere has proven to yield significant advantages. (Read this from Europe –http://www.entrepriseglobale.biz/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/EBN-Coworking-White-Paper.pdf)
Socializing is one basic component of a healthy life. With freelancing, some people are reduced to working hermits, isolated and devoid of a social life. Meeting new acquaintances, making connections and creating value are hallmarks of effective work in the Information Age. Work can be fun and meaningful. In the context of coworking, one has the opportunity to seek more potential clients and perhaps join forces with another entrepreneur within the coworking community. Working alone sucks!
What differentiates you from your competitors
The TCS model is based on community and quality of place. It’s also a membership model which, although doesn’t guarantee the perfect mix, it’s proven to work thus far. We try and eliminate the multiple barriers to entry for most entrepreneurs and startups by offering low-cost month to month plans, keeping the costs all-in (no hidden fees, or extra cost for extra use) and getting them connected to a mentor network which is built into the ethos of our members as they work here ongoing. We value our families/work/life balance, our health, our community and our environment. So every decision we make is made through those lenses. Although we are for profit, we live by a triple P model. People, planet, profit.
Why would someone pay you money for your services.
Bottom line: the experience you have in our spaces, if leveraged correctly, will grow your company and you will actually enjoy coming to work. And because your office is NOT in your home, you can go home after. In the long run, it’s actually cheaper to have a membership than operate your own office and therefore it’s financially smart. Yes, you could “save” money and stay at home, but everyone in our spaces states their productivity increases dramatically when at The Creative Space. So every hour you don’t spend here is actually losing you money, not to mention the loss of your social, environmental and community impact.