We’d like to give a warm welcome to Epicentral Coworking! They’ve just joined the Proximity Network from Colorado Springs, CO and are planning to open their second location in September. They offer some incredible amenities, including beer, tech supplies, and a community bike. We caught up with Co-Captains Courtney and Frank to learn more about them and to hear what they love about coworking!
When did you open your coworking space and what enticed you to do so?
Epicentral was founded with the mission of becoming the local epicenter of entrepreneurship, business, and creativity in downtown Colorado Springs. Our aim was to create a space where risk was applauded, failure embraced, and success celebrated. We set out to build a local network of startups, mentors, and investors in the hopes of making the culture of our city one of openness, pride, innovation, and support. And with this vision, co-founders Lisa Tessarowicz and Hannah Parsons opened the doors to our first space in December 2011.
Tell us about your space. How big is it? What kinds of amenities do you have? What sort of quirks make it special?
Our current space is 10k square feet spanning 3 levels. We have 22 offices, 8 dedicated desks, 7 phone booths, 5 conference rooms, and roughly 40 hot desks. The space is functional and playful at the same time. It’s equipped with all the standard amenities down to the locally roasted coffee and locally brewed beer. Its access to downtown makes it ideal for the emerging networkers in this town.
What is your favorite thing about operating a coworking space?
The people. Every day I grow relationships that I know will last far past my time as a manager here. You get to know the “why” behind each member and what they do. Those connections are a privilege.
What has been the most surprising/unexpected thing about operating a coworking space?
The ignorance of it in the face of the stark need for it. The Colorado Springs coworking market is newly tapped. We were recently named one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities for startups, yet the population largely chooses to work from home. When you see people light up during a tour you know that you have not only hit a nerve but met a need. That feeling never ceases to inspire me.
What’s your favorite story about one of your members?
One of my favorite stories is about Springs Magazine. Springs was started in our space by two members who met here, one was an editor the other was in publishing. One day they decided Colorado Springs needed a local lifestyle magazine, so they joined forces and started one. The coolest thing about the magazine is that it uses a lot of the talents of other members in our space like photographers, writers, and artists. It is really a great example of the collaboration that can happen in coworking spaces.
What is your biggest piece of advice for someone wanting to open a space?
Plan, scale, adjust, repeat. You will never have the perfect space. You will have very few lifetime members. But if you know why you are there then you won’t cease to have a business. You’re not for everyone, find your tribe and work together to achieve great things.
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