鈥淭he people, the people, the people,鈥� says Katherine Harrison, when asked why she rents office space from in Harrisonburg.
If anyone is aware of how the right space can empower people and their projects, Harrison is. Her company, , helps clients 鈥渙rganize their spaces, optimize their time and master their technology.鈥�
Even when her glass-walled office door is closed, Harrison enjoys the 鈥渃ollaborative, supportive environment鈥� and the creative energy of Harrisonburg鈥檚 newest coworking hotspot, owned by Kirsten Parmer 鈥�93 Moore and her husband, Chris.
On any given day, the renovated 19th-century exposed-brick warehouse in downtown Harrisonburg is literally a hub of activity, bringing together creative, focused people with diverse skills and talents. While social engagement is 鈥渆lective,鈥� Moore says, the friendly, collaborative environment often leads to serendipitous meetings, networking, business opportunities and shared expertise.
Tim Fahndrich 鈥�89, who owns a digital marketing company in Oregon, recently worked from The Hub while visiting his wife鈥檚 family. 鈥淗e started a conversation with a graphic designer who works out of here, and now they鈥檙e talking about possibly partnering together,鈥� says Moore.
That kind of place-based synergy and energy helped The Hub Coworking earn a Merit Award for Outstanding Business in July.
鈥楤est business鈥� among Main Street communities
The business, nominated by , was selected from among entrants located in 29 Virginia Main Street communities. The Virginia Main Street program, managed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, provides assistance and training to help communities increase the economic vitality of their downtown commercial districts.
The Hub meets all three criteria for the award: 鈥渟trengthening the business mix 鈥� displaying an authentic and attractive storefront, or demonstrating exceptional downtown civic and promotional participation.鈥�
Diverse professions represented
The Hub鈥檚 more than 40 members represent nearly 30 different kinds of businesses and generally defy the coworking stereotype. 鈥淢ost people think of coworking spaces as populated by young people involved in start-up companies, but I鈥檇 say our average age is 40-something and most people are not self-employed,鈥� Moore says.
Current and past members include web, game and app designers, IT workers, medical researchers and writers, pregnancy and childbirth educators, and translators, among others.
Attorney Jared Burden, who has leased one of the eight private offices for more than a year, has found The Hub to be a perfect place for his solo law practice. Through his business , Burden offers general counsel legal services to small- and medium-sized businesses and non-profits for a flat monthly fee (he also works in more traditional arrangements).
In five quick bullet points, here鈥檚 why he loves his new working environment:
- 鈥淭he Hub’s business model matches my own 鈥� non-traditional, flexible, innovative.
- I love the comings and goings of solopreneurs who are working hard, some trying to change the world.
- The economics of the place are quite reasonable.
- My glass and brick-walled office is cool.
- The whole place gives an entrepreneurial vibe.鈥�
听Local innovator
Moore is herself an entrepreneur. After working at 黑料正能量 for 13 years in marketing and communications, she parented two children while co-founding a local Montessori school (her first successful 鈥渟tart-up,鈥� she jokes) and maintaining a strong freelance portfolio. In recent years, she also founded and sold two businesses 鈥� food tours and , a farm-to-table catering company 鈥� while working in business development and marketing for Blue Ridge Architects.
The idea for a coworking business was first explored by founder and owner Randy Seitz, class of 鈥�87. The firm, an to many 黑料正能量 building projects, had originally needed the building for expanded office space, but when the entire lease came up, Seitz approached Moore and her husband about running with the concept independently.
Moore developed a business plan, scrutinized the numbers with the help of the nearby , and held a community forum to gather input.
One of the first to jump on the concept was Kevin Gibson, who operates running race event company with partner Alan Maynard.
Their slogan, 鈥渆nergizing the community for good,鈥� is an apt phrase to describe the culture and ethos of the space they鈥檝e chosen as their office. The Hub is 鈥渁 great place to get work done, focus and pursue your passion 鈥� at the same time, it’s collaborative and filled with people who are hustling to make a difference,鈥� says Gibson.
Memberships at The Hub are offered monthly and inclusive of all office amenities, including coffee and snacks. They鈥檝e largely have been filled by word of mouth among a 鈥渉uge niche of people who need affordable professional space and are tired of sitting at their kitchen table by themselves,鈥� Moore says.
Networking host
Moore sees the business as a blending of her interests in entrepreneurship, marketing and hospitality. 鈥淕etting the word out, encouraging people to come together and then hosting them鈥� is how she describes her current role. 鈥淏eing a good hostess is part of creating the culture. I think you could have a space with a different kind of attitude and have something very different.鈥�
Part of creating that networking space has enabled Moore to take a break from her own entrepreneurial compulsions and become a quasi-consultant to members seeking advice, connections and expertise.
鈥淚 get energy from other people鈥檚 projects, and helping people make things happen,鈥� said Moore, who has more than 20 years of business and marketing experience. 鈥淚 love connecting people. I get a lot of satisfaction from the idea stage of projects, which keeps my mind popping about other things. You get a good understanding of what there is a need for by listening to people.鈥�
On her calendar, she says, is lunch with a Hub member who wants to pitch a new business venture. She has no idea what might happen, but the possibilities make her smile.