I am new here...

[Samantha Dickson]

Hello everyone!

I found this group through my search for a co-working situation in the
Capital Region. I moved from NH about 2 months ago and am working
from home as a paralegal - (my former employer in NH has me set up to
work virtually). I am going crazy at home and find myself
being...very unproductive! I would love a place to be able to actually
"go to" rather than rolling out of bed and staying in my pj's for the
entire first half... OK maybe 3/4 :) of the day.

I am willing to pay a membership fee to participate in a co-working
situation.

Where should I go from here!? I need to get out of this working from
home rut ASAP!!

Thanks!

Samantha Dickson

[Brian Corrigan]

Hi Samantha - We're sorta in the process of opening up.  We have a few folks coming down in the next week or two.  If you want to stop down and see the place next week we'd love to have you :)  

[Samantha Dickson]

Brian,

 

Thanks for the response!  I would love to stop in and see the place if you don't mind.  Also, I don't know where in the opening up stage you are, but I am certainly willing to hear what else needs to be done, and lend a hand if needed :)

 

Let me know what your schedule looks like and we can go from there.

Thanks again,

 

Samantha

--
Samantha Dickson

--
Samantha Dickson

[Blain Smith]

Hey Samantha,

I am in the same situation myself. I work for 2 companies based out of
Boston. My own startup and my full-time job. I work from home every
day (in my sweats most of the time haha).

I moved out to this area a year ago. Welcome to the area!

Blain

On Jan 2, 5:16 pm, Samantha Dickson <samantha....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Brian,
>
> Thanks for the response!  I would love to stop in and see the place if you
> don't mind.  Also, I don't know where in the opening up stage you are, but
> I am certainly willing to hear what else needs to be done, and lend a hand
> if needed :)
>
> Let me know what your schedule looks like and we can go from there.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Samantha

> On Fri, Dec 30, 2011 at 10:18 AM, Brian Corrigan <bcorriga...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Hi Samantha - We're sorta in the process of opening up.  We have a few
> > folks coming down in the next week or two.  If you want to stop down and
> > see the place next week we'd love to have you :)
>

> > On Fri, Dec 30, 2011 at 12:35 AM, Samantha Dickson <samantha....@gmail.com

[Brian Corrigan]

Hey Samantha - Vacation is over, craziness ensues :)  At this point I'm basically here every day.  The area is open and we'd love to have folks stop down.

Best,

Brian

[Marnen Laibow-Koser]

On Fri, Dec 30, 2011 at 10:18 AM, Brian Corrigan <bcorr...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Samantha - We're sorta in the process of opening up.  We have a few folks
> coming down in the next week or two.  If you want to stop down and see the
> place next week we'd love to have you :)

I'd love to come as well. But where is it?

Best,
--
Marnen Laibow-Koser
http://www.marnen.org
mar...@marnen.org

[Brian Corrigan]

Hey Guys - Apologies.  What we ended up working out is this..

Initially I was going to fund building a new space myself.  While I got a lot of interested people no one really committed to this effort by means of actually paying.  So I decided to test the model....

Agora Games (the company I work for) donated about 2500 square feet of space to coworking.  The idea is to gather folks, get the organization up and running and get it standing on its own two feet either taking over this space, or (ideally) finding a new space.  

So... Before the holiday we split the office here and carved off a large section of the third floor and installed a kitchen, microwave, lounge, xbox & ps3, desks, phone booth, etc. There's a lot of benefits to doing it this way.  From your first day here you'll meet some pretty cool people  (head out to lunch with, grab a coffee, talk about code, etc.) have a fully decked out office, etc.  Its pretty sweet :)

We're still charging the full rate for now, and I'm making any open desks available to full time college students for free until paying members need them.  

Finally, long term......

There's a team building a tech accelerator here in downtown troy.  They have agreed to set aside 2-3K sq feet to this coworking group.  I dont' want to comment more until I see the space, but if we can get a community together now they'll be really interested in working with us.

[Marnen Laibow-Koser]

On Jan 9, 2012, at 4:34 PM, Brian Corrigan <bcorr...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hey Guys - Apologies. What we ended up working out is this..
>
> Initially I was going to fund building a new space myself. While I got a lot of interested people no one really committed to this effort by means of actually paying.

I, for one, was unaware that you were soliciting additional funds (other than donations of space). I don't think that message got out there.

> So I decided to test the model....
>
> Agora Games (the company I work for) donated about 2500 square feet of space to coworking. The idea is to gather folks, get the organization up and running and get it standing on its own two feet either taking over this space, or (ideally) finding a new space.

For the third time on this list: *where is the space*? I've yet to see an address. If you post an address, it is a near-certainty that I will show up to see the space within a week or less.

>
> So... Before the holiday we split the office here and carved off a large section of the third floor and installed a kitchen, microwave, lounge, xbox & ps3, desks, phone booth, etc. There's a lot of benefits to doing it this way. From your first day here you'll meet some pretty cool people (head out to lunch with, grab a coffee, talk about code, etc.) have a fully decked out office, etc. Its pretty sweet :)

Sounds nice.

>
> We're still charging the full rate for now, and I'm making any open desks available to full time college students for free until paying members need them.

And what is "the full rate"?

>
> Finally, long term......
>
> There's a team building a tech accelerator here in downtown troy. They have agreed to set aside 2-3K sq feet to this coworking group. I dont' want to comment more until I see the space, but if we can get a community together now they'll be really interested in working with us.

Cool.

Now, on an organizational note...

Brian, you've taken a lot on yourself in making this happen, and I really appreciate it. But so far as I can tell, this all stands or falls at the moment depending on your personal time constraints -- I can see that you've been putting lots of time into this, but I'm sure you're very busy (as we all are!), and I don't want this to die if you happen to get another project constraining your time.

So...what can be delegated? How can others help? There must be a ton of work to do here.

Best,
--
Marnen Laibow-Koser
http://www.marnen.org
mar...@marnen.org

Sent from my iPhone

[Brian Corrigan]

Marnen, I have a great answer for this.  Can I call you?. 

[James Ruffer]

I will put the time in to do the website and all the bells and whistles for the site if we can use wordpress...wink.

Thank you for your time.
James F. Ruffer III
C|EH
1.312.238.8571  Mobile

[Samantha Dickson]

Brian,

Thanks for the update on all of this!  It sounds exciting and I would love to help in anyway possible!

I am interested in seeing the space, getting a desk and paying the membership fee..but I am still unsure as to how to go about doing this.

How much is the fee and is there anytime you are available this week to meet up and show me the space?  I live right in Cohoes, so anytime that works for you, I will make work for me.

I look forward to hearing back from you as I am SO excited at the thought of getting back into work mode and meeting people in the area!

--
Samantha Dickson

[Marnen Laibow-Koser]

On Jan 9, 2012, at 5:44 PM, Brian Corrigan <bcorr...@gmail.com> wrote:

Marnen, I have a great answer for this.  Can I call you?. 

Sure -- my phone number is (845) 625-7801 -- but I'd really rather keep delegation discussions on the list so we can decide who's doing what. 

[Brian Corrigan]

Ok here are some answers inline.

On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 5:07 PM, Marnen Laibow-Koser <mar...@marnen.org> wrote:

> Agora Games (the company I work for) donated about 2500 square feet of space to coworking.  The idea is to gather folks, get the organization up and running and get it standing on its own two feet either taking over this space, or (ideally) finding a new space.

For the third time on this list: *where is the space*?  I've yet to see an address.  If you post an address, it is a near-certainty that I will show up to see the space within a week or less.

Blargh, yes, I AM busy.  The space is 359 Broadway, Troy NY 12180.  We're located right above Dunkin Donuts. 

>
> So... Before the holiday we split the office here and carved off a large section of the third floor and installed a kitchen, microwave, lounge, xbox & ps3, desks, phone booth, etc. There's a lot of benefits to doing it this way.  From your first day here you'll meet some pretty cool people  (head out to lunch with, grab a coffee, talk about code, etc.) have a fully decked out office, etc.  Its pretty sweet :)

Sounds nice.

Its really nice.  Everyone who's stopped down totally digs it.

 

>
> We're still charging the full rate for now, and I'm making any open desks available to full time college students for free until paying members need them.

And what is "the full rate"?

100% for part time (2 days/week), $200 for full time, $15 per day

>
> Finally, long term......
>
> There's a team building a tech accelerator here in downtown troy.  They have agreed to set aside 2-3K sq feet to this coworking group.  I dont' want to comment more until I see the space, but if we can get a community together now they'll be really interested in working with us.

Cool.

Now, on an organizational note...

Brian, you've taken a lot on yourself in making this happen, and I really appreciate it.  But so far as I can tell, this all stands or falls at the moment depending on your personal time constraints -- I can see that you've been putting lots of time into this, but I'm sure you're very busy (as we all are!), and I don't want this to die if you happen to get another project constraining your time.

So...what can be delegated?  How can others help?  There must be a ton of work to do here.

Here's what I *really* need.  I need someone else to be the figurehead for this.  Because I was able to work out a deal whereby my current employer donates space, its an awkward conflict of interest for me to also be the figurehead of the Collar Collective and handle the money.  Essentially it looks like I'm cutting myself a really damn good deal on space to start my own side business.  This isn't the goal (and there's really no money here anyways) but its hard to explain that.  Thus, I need one person who's interested in (for now) taking over this effort.  You would get your membership and your desk for free.  Your job will be to grow membership, collect money from users, manage keys & security, and coordinate upkeep of the space.  

You won't be under any financial liability because while you're at Agora I'm providing desks, chairs, fridge, and space.  If we can continue to build membership, we can eventually graduate to our own space at which point I'd be interested in stepping back in and helping again (its no longer awkward for me when this is no longer donated in our space).

:)

[Marnen Laibow-Koser]

On Tue, Jan 10, 2012 at 3:43 PM, Brian Corrigan <bcorr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok here are some answers inline.
>
> On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 5:07 PM, Marnen Laibow-Koser <mar...@marnen.org>
> wrote:
>>
>> > Agora Games (the company I work for) donated about 2500 square feet of
>> > space to coworking.  The idea is to gather folks, get the organization up
>> > and running and get it standing on its own two feet either taking over this
>> > space, or (ideally) finding a new space.
>>
>>
>> For the third time on this list: *where is the space*?  I've yet to see an
>> address.  If you post an address, it is a near-certainty that I will show up
>> to see the space within a week or less.
>
>
> Blargh, yes, I AM busy.  The space is 359 Broadway, Troy NY 12180.  We're
> located right above Dunkin Donuts.

Thanks! Expect an e-mail message from me about coming in next week.

>
>>
>> >
>> > So... Before the holiday we split the office here and carved off a large
>> > section of the third floor and installed a kitchen, microwave, lounge, xbox
>> > & ps3, desks, phone booth, etc. There's a lot of benefits to doing it this
>> > way.  From your first day here you'll meet some pretty cool people  (head
>> > out to lunch with, grab a coffee, talk about code, etc.) have a fully decked
>> > out office, etc.  Its pretty sweet :)
>>
>> Sounds nice.
>
>
> Its really nice.  Everyone who's stopped down totally digs it.
>
>>
>>
>> >
>> > We're still charging the full rate for now, and I'm making any open
>> > desks available to full time college students for free until paying members
>> > need them.
>>
>> And what is "the full rate"?
>
>
> 100% for part time (2 days/week), $200 for full time, $15 per day

I assume the $100 and $200 rates are monthly?

[...]

> Here's what I *really* need.  I need someone else to be the figurehead for
> this.  Because I was able to work out a deal whereby my current employer
> donates space, its an awkward conflict of interest for me to also be the
> figurehead of the Collar Collective and handle the money.

[...]

That makes sense. A lot of sense. I'm *probably* not the right
person (though I'd consider it if necessary), due to my organization
and temperament :) , but I really appreciate your asking so that we
can figure out who *is* the right person.

[Brian Corrigan]

Hahahah  marnen, I still think passion trumps man.  Consider it, its only short term.  After march term there's opportunity to just have the (super secret yet forthcoming) accelerator take over the work.  It that doesn't work, we can have another member take over.

[Dan Larkin]

On Jan 10, 2012, at 3:43 PM, Brian Corrigan wrote:

Ok here are some answers inline.

On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 5:07 PM, Marnen Laibow-Koser <mar...@marnen.org> wrote:

> Agora Games (the company I work for) donated about 2500 square feet of space to coworking.  The idea is to gather folks, get the organization up and running and get it standing on its own two feet either taking over this space, or (ideally) finding a new space.

For the third time on this list: *where is the space*?  I've yet to see an address.  If you post an address, it is a near-certainty that I will show up to see the space within a week or less.

Blargh, yes, I AM busy.  The space is 359 Broadway, Troy NY 12180.  We're located right above Dunkin Donuts. 

What's the parking like in downtown Troy on weekdays? Plentiful? Impossible?

[Samantha Dickson]

Brian,

Can I come by on Thursday or Friday and check out the space? Any time
either day works for me...just let me know :)

[Brian Corrigan]

Hi Samantha - Absolutely!  I think we found our first member (victim) today.  Jim Connell should be here full time.    What time?

[Samantha Dickson]

Awesome!  I may just be the second victim (I mean member) ;)

Anytime works for me tomorrow (Thursday), but I will throw a time out there and see if your available...

Does 3pm work for you?  If not, just pick a different time and I will be there.

Maybe we should start a separate post on the forum with the time we are going to meet and give the exact address again in that post.  That way, it is easy to see in it's own post for anyone who is a member of the Google Group and anyone who is available can meet us at the same time?

Let me know!

Talk to you soon,

Samantha

--
Samantha Dickson

[Brian Corrigan]

That's perfect!  See you then!

[Kimberlee Smith]

$149 group rate for duct/dryer cleaning? something helpful for home safety.

We’re currently scheduling a dryer vent cleaning with Michael, and if a few more neighbors are interested, we can get a group discount. Normally this service costs $399, but with multiple homes it drops to $149 per home. Cleaning your dryer vent is really important because lint and dust buildup can become a serious fire hazard if not maintained properly. We’ve used this service before, and they do an excellent job. (They also offer duct cleaning and chimney cleaning if needed)

if anyone needs that as well. If you’re interested, please send me your availability, home address, and phone number via email, and I’ll add you to the list.