Thursday, January 15, 2009

Bright Cowork: Ultimate Workplace


Recently an innovative, new-media-savvy guy named Corey Brown, COO of Squidoo contacted me about possibly turning a portion of Bright Center into coworking space. His reasoning was this: There are a lot of people out there who are simply tired of working all by themselves and need a fun, collaborative space to do their work at least a few days a week.

A few years ago, the dream of most creatives and professionals was "to work at home" to avoid commuting and to have more control of time. Companies anxious to reduce overhead and attract the best and brightest allowed many of us to do so. For awhile it was great; but after a while, many "hit a wall" and productivity and motivation plummeted. I think our craving for Place is the reason many sought to work from home originally and, ironically, it's why many telecommuters are hitting the wall now. We ran away from the featureless, cubicle-filled no-places to our home offices which typically cannot provide the personal, face-to-face connection to colleagues and coworkers that inspires and energizes.

Bright Cowork will be unlike "telework spaces," which typically are fluorescent-lit, cubicle farms. In the style of Bright Center, it will be open, bright collaborative space with blazing internet connectivity, and great coffee. It will be a place to talk, meet, share, collaborate, grow, and innovate. It will also be affordable to those who only want a desk and shared meeting space rather than the overhead and hassle of a full office. Best of all it will be a real Place that provides the connection to Old Town Winchester and other creatives and professionals who share common interests.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You guys are really onto something with this. It sounds like you are creating a great environment for collaboration, which is a key component of progress, and therefore creativity.

I'm only about and hour away. I'll come visit as soon as I get the chance.

Our Founders said...

Great Gannon. Thanks for your comment and we look forward to meeting you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for making this happen Marilyn! There's a real buzz building around here.

Unknown said...

I am 6 hours away (in California!) but that won't stop me. Corey's an amazing guy to have on your side. Nicely done, Corey and Marilyn.

Sherry Nowell said...

Corey is an "innovative" guy and has been since he was small. The "new media savvy" guy part started when he was about 11 or 12 and cut lawns to buy a Commodore 64(which is still in my garage, I'm thinking). His creativity and quest to know everything started at an amazingly early age, and I should know - I'm his mother! Sorry Corey, there are just some things a mom is compelled to do. Congrats on taking another brainstorm to fruition. Looks like a great "Place" to be - nice job Marilyn and much success in this new endeavor!

Our Founders said...

Thank you for the post, Sherry! Corey is sitting here squirming:-) I look forward to meeting you one of these days.

Sherry Nowell said...

Squirming is Ok, but is he smiling that wonderful smile??? I'll look forward to meeting you too!