Co-working co-op in Berkeley
Derby Creek Coworking Coop
I am new to co-working but have been working alone and in cafes for a
long time in Philly, New York and Berkeley. I'm also a co-oper and I
want to mesh the idea of co-operative management and co-working to
create a communal and meaningful work environment in Berkeley. So,
that's what we're doing and it's called Derby Creek Co-working Co-
operative. Glad to be joining this googlegroup.
with peace,
Jerlina (Derby Creek Coworking Co-op)
Raines Cohen
That's an exciting location you've got, right on the Oakland-Berkeley
border (Google Maps says you're technically in Oakland with an Oakland
zip code, and of course 66th is an Oakland street number, so you may
technically be the first coworking in Oakland), with a bunch of
interesting activity in the area (not to mention some great
restaurants).
Given that one of the Denver coworking spaces I visited last month on
my way home from Austin is in a former "adult" theatre and brothel
(was that the original form of coworking? Independent contractors
tired of working at home and in coffeehouses? ;-) I think that's
another thread in it's own right), perhaps it's not that unusual that
your bulding includes (or did feature) a tattooing and body piercing
studio; are they still there?
You're also not far from Berkeley Coworking, over on Shattuck near
Ashby; have you met up with the great folks there to compare notes? I
think that space-creators who have set up the second and third
coworking communities in other cities can confirm: the more you've
got, the easier it gets. It's not a matter of competition. If people
have a choice, they don't have to go to a space because it's "the only
game in town" -- they can self-select and communities can evolve to
serve different needs more effectively, rather than having to be "one
size fits all." There's also great potential for cross-referrals,
co-marketing, joint events, and all kinds of fun. Be sure to ask about
their homebrew.
From the look of the building and the rental premium for streetfront
retail spaces, my guess is that you're up on the second floor,
presumably with no elevator so no wheelchair access? Alas, this may be
all too common in the grassroots sector of the coworking movement so
long as we're working with built-long-ago secondary spaces not up to
modern codes and standards; commercial for-profit space operators that
get capitalized to do significant renovations and use prime
retail/office space are held to a higher standard and paying a premium
for places already equipped with lifts, elevators, and accessible
restrooms. I'm looking forward to Sonoma County Coworking's open house
tomorrow evening, where a founder personally helped by assistive
technology made universal design a priority in site selection and
operation.
So far it looks like you've put the ad out on Craig's List and many
forums on tribe.net last week (be careful with that; if you over-post
an item, it can get hidden/deleted), but you haven't put it on the
Coworking wiki, http://wiki.coworking.info/ . Let me know if you need
some help with that.
Do you have a website yet? I see your Craig's List and Tribe ads
specifically talk about "artists, activists, freelancers, and
students" as your target market.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/off/784948170.html
I think others on this list will probably also be interested in your
cooperative business model, and how that relates to your property, and
the business operation: what type of coop legal entity? Will other
members be shareholders? Equal peers with a voice as to who gets to be
an stay a member? Listed on the lease?
Since I have lived in cooperative communities (including the UC
Berkeley student coops and Oakland/Berkeley cohousing neighborhoods)
and advised/facilitated/helped develop others, I'm well aware of some
of the challenges and opportunities presented by this type of
structure, and I'm eager to help others on this list understand 'em,
based on your experience. Perhaps I could come visit and interview
you?
Raines Cohen, Coworking Coach
who happens to live an easily-bikable mile from your site!
Alan
Since you are both in the Bay Area thought I'd point out a website
dedicate to small commercial workspaces. We've had a lot of interest
from various co-working spaces and incubators. We've tried to set it
up so that the person looking for space can get a good sense of the
space and the surrounding neighborhood and amenities. Would love your
feedback on the site if you have a chance. www.rofo.com
we also put a pretty funny video on the site of a guy struggling to
work in free spaces like cafes, the library, the park.
Thanks,
Alan
>
> Do you have a website yet? I see your Craig's List and Tribe ads
> specifically talk about "artists, activists, freelancers, and
> I think others on this list will probably also be interested in your
> cooperative business model, and how that relates to your property, and
> the business operation: what type of coop legal entity? Will other
> members be shareholders? Equal peers with a voice as to who gets to be
> an stay a member? Listed on the lease?
>
> Since I have lived in cooperative communities (including the UC
> Berkeley student coops and Oakland/Berkeley cohousing neighborhoods)
> and advised/facilitated/helped develop others, I'm well aware of some
> of the challenges and opportunities presented by this type of
> structure, and I'm eager to help others on this list understand 'em,
> based on your experience. Perhaps I could come visit and interview
> you?
>
> Raines Cohen, Coworking Coach
> who happens to live an easily-bikable mile from your site!
>
> On Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 12:53 PM, Derby Creek Coworking Coop
>