Archive for the ‘Lindsay’s Blog’ Category

NextSpace #6 Opens Today!

October 1st, 2012 by lindsay

Four score and four years ago (well, just four years) was the birth of NextSpace. It all started in Santa Cruz on October 1st, 2008. Now, on the 4th anniversary we are celebrating the grand opening of NextSpace Union Square, the 6th branch of the company. The internet is turned majorly on (50/50mbps over fiber to be exact) and the first shipment of fresh Verve coffee has arrived and is hot in the pot.

 

When I began the adventure to open up the space 2 months ago I was bombard with many different emotions: excitement, anticipation, fear. Last week I let the stress get the better of me when I worried about deadlines and perfection. It wasn’t until the 1st pre launch happy hour did I realize and remember what the space was all about: community. At 4:12pm on the dot (yes we were running a little behind last Friday) I cracked open a few bottles of wine, poured generous helpings in a few glasses then glanced around the room. Standing around the booze in front of me were 8 members, 4 of which I already knew and loved (they came from the other space in San Francisco) and 4 of which were newbies that I was eager and ready to get to know. Seeing these bright, smiling faces I grabbed my glass and toasted to the beginnings of a brand new, budding community. Yes I teared up and no I didn’t lose it. This is what those long hours were all for, these people whose lives will be enriched by the connections they make at NextSpace.

 

Today I sit in the brand new office and 22 members have made themselves comfy calling NextSpace Union Square their new place to work. Dasom, my intern, carried in a new orange flowering plant for me to celebrate the day; Dusty, one of my friends and members of the other location, brought me in a celebratory cupcake and a can of coca cola.

 

As I look out onto the busy Market Street watching a cable car turn around, enjoying my cupcake, I smile and know that this is what I’m supposed to do. I love people, community, laughter and connections so I feel lucky to surround myself with those who enjoy the same.

 

The official celebration for the opening of the space is on Thursday, Oct 4th from 6:30-8:30pm. There will be booze, food, prizes, live music and a Gold Rush themed coworking space. I’ve invited and anticipate over 200 peeps to fill the space so I encourage you to come see the magic form before your eyes.

 

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Posted in Lindsay's Blog, Union Square SF

DeathSpace Opens New Portals to Coworking Hell

October 31st, 2011 by lindsay

For immediate release.

October 31, 2011 – Noose Flash: DeathSpace, the co-working environment for the undead and soulless, opens new portals to hell in Los Angeles and San Jose.

DeathSpace is the best co-working option for entrepreneurs and business people who work themselves to death– and beyond. In addition to housing the cadavers of moribund start-ups, this festering meatlocker also serves as an entrepreneurial stinkubator for ghoulish ideas. Many a C-corpse gets its start here, and the DeathSpace community is known for supporting these businesses from seed stage, through expansion stage, all the way to rotting bloat stage. On any given day, a visitor to DeathSpace can witness fetid entrepreneurs vying to ensnare companions on their business’ journey through the valley of death. Like moths to flame, investors can’t get enough of these hell-spawned up-starts, and they can be found pouring over Excel deadsheets to calculate devilnue, cost of good souls, and net burnings for their next promising incestment.

But beware! An anonymous sorcerer warns of the so-called “DeathSpace Effect,” whereby still-redeemable souls are eternally enraptured in this unholy orgy of chaotic commerce. “This place is like Hotel California played by Pantera,” swooned one capitalists of the apocalypse, drunk on theDeathSpace Effect. As maggots spilled from under her blackened tongue, “I wouldn’t trade this for a first-class ticket to hell!” A chorus of gravely voices emanating from both nowhere and everywhere concurred: “This place is a whole coffin of awesome.”

DeathSpace.
The (de)composition of work.

Reported by Matthew Scarichiba

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Posted in Lindsay's Blog, Union Square SF

Who Really Works at NextSpace?

October 20th, 2011 by lindsay

Every person who strolls through NextSpace adds to the overall dynamic of the community. Some members are polar opposites ranging in age (23-88), height (4′ 8″ to 6′ 9″), personality, company focus, and interests. One of our newest members, Henry, runs a freight shipping company and has been doing so for 50 plus years. Dusty, who’s been a member for about a year now, is in the early phase of his career building point of sale systems for restaurants and bars. It’s pretty incredible how Henry is still working in this point of his life and Dusty (who’ll be carded for at least another decade) can work side by side.

At the desk adjacent to Dusty sits Cliff, a branding attorney and amazing cheesecake chef. Cliff first came to NextSpace delivering one of his cheesecakes to a client and learned about coworking at the NextSpace launch party. At this party he won a free month of membership in a drawing and has been a dedicated member ever since.

Another member who’s stuck around from the beginning is the lovely and always dressed to impress Kat. Kat is a sex and intimacy coach who has written multiple books on the subject and often holds conferences for her clients here at the space. Her home away from home is at one of our comfy workstations on the third floor.

Kat’s neighbor, Rod- who is quite fluent in tech-speak, often helps Kat and other members at NextSpace with iPad and Apple issues. He is currently working on a kick-a** app which will change the way you choose and watch movies. In a nut shell it’s like a Pandora but for movies (how (r)evolutionary!). Keep an ear out for the launch of this world-shaking app!

Another way Rod shakes the community here at the space is in his generous supply of buttery croissants. He brings breakfast treats with him every day he’s at NextSpace because if he “gets one croissant, why not get a dozen”. Rod has earned quite a nice reputation and loads of good karma from all the NextSpace foodies. When you see croissants in the kitchen you know that Rod must be around!

It surely is a diverse, intellectual, go-getting crowd here at NextSpace. My favorite part of the huge spectrum is introducing others who work in completely different realms, then finding they have numerous common interests. NextSpace is truly the workplace for the new economy; we cowork across ages, genders, industries, and (of course) with warm croissants.

Posted in Lindsay's Blog, Union Square SF

The “NextSpace Effect”

August 25th, 2011 by lindsay

As I drove to NextSpace Santa Cruz this morning, my heart raced with anticipation as I inched closer and closer to the space. I lived in this beautiful city for 5 years and interviewed here for my current position about 5 months prior (I say position because it feels so much more than just a job).

After I popped my Zipcar (my first time!) in the parking lot around the corner, I leapt to NextSpace. I planted my computer and trusty stainless steel water bottle in the same little round cafe table I had sat at before and glanced around at the familiar place.

In the same space, with the same computer and I believe same shoes, I quickly realize that I am no longer the same. Before my eyes flash everything I’ve done, everyone I’ve met and the person I’ve become. And how did I get here? Just an amazing ol’ coworking space which I call my second home.

I’ve made some new good friends here, ahem, my boss, the incredible Rebecca (now how many people can say that?!) who has taught me oodles about business, social skills and maintaining a positive outlook on life. She continues to wow me and I feel so lucky to work with a person so special.

Ohh yes, and all you members, I haven’t forgotten about you! Every single one of you has helped shape me and teach me lessons (even the difficult members who hate doing dishes). I can confidently say that I understand more about technology than ever before and am becoming, how do you say, a geek.

It’s also been fun training for the half-marathon and running with others who love it as much as I do. Brilliant thinking Iris and team! You have all pushed me to run faster and stronger, especially up those hills (Tom, you da man!).

Never in a million years did I think I could apply my music degree into any job after school, but Rebecca’s insistence on finding a NextSpace piano proved me wrong. The Dodgy Winos (our band) do me well every Friday and I can experience the members’ creative musician side. We now know “Don’t Stop Believing” by heart and we don’t stop ourselves!

Thinking back on the person I was before (timid, quiet, awkward), I am thrilled to admit that I’ve grown. I am more comfortable in front of a group (no bright-red tomato face anymore-well, as much), and I understand how to compromise and work out situations to make both parties happy. We also have an awesome intern Daniel from Switzerland (parlez-vous francais?) who I’ve helped manage. He has taught me how to be more direct in management and better ways that I can communicate to my managers as well. Woohoo growth! Even though I’m still 5’3″ and awkward.

Really this reminiscence is a thank you to everyone who’s touched my life. NextSpace has transformed the things I thought I could do into reality, helped introduce me to fabulous people and affected who I am (for the much, much better). Coworking is truly the (r)evolution of work, and life! Looking forward to the ride to come and can’t wait to see where I’ll be next.

Posted in Lindsay's Blog, Union Square SF