(see our campaign on Indiegogo at http://igg.me/at/NoMoreEyesore)
Short Summary
This store front with attached house has sat vacant for over 15 years with no maintenance other than some occasional yard work. Like 100s of others in the area I drive by this decaying structure daily wishing someone would purchase it or level it. (There are additional pictures and videos.)
Years of shrubs and trees over taking the area, the building being spray painted and looking terrible it dawned on me no one was going to do anything. If I wanted change it was up to me.
Getting out of the US Army after 12 years I began working for myself. Several years in my daily routine of visiting with other businesses and seeing how they operate it was clear there were areas that needed assistance. For example the local window installer can’t benefit from any advertising/marketing if the phone rings while they are on a ladder installing, they need an assistant but it is not always in the budget. Even for myself, recently my business coach said in order to grow further it was a must that my office move from inside my home. There are too many distractions to be as effective as possible. This and other signs continued to point in a similar direction. The growing trend of coworking centers, also called community work space or shared workspace.
A client of mine introduced me to Indiegogo after reading others stories my motivation grew into a powerful driving force. Take this eyesore and create something that brings not only jobs into our community but offers others the opportunity to bring their ideas to reality! Our company has always helped startup businesses but now we would have a facility that allows many others to rent physical or virtual office space with many additional perks.
Giving them an inexpensive way to grow their business. Every business in our coworking center will have a dedicated phone number with many features and a mailbox. With us on staff they will have all the additional support they need in areas from marketing, accounting, business administration and more. Our facility will also have the resources they may need. Private offices available by schedule, conference room with video capabilities, and receptionist as well as the simpler things like a mail room, copier, high speed internet etc.
With your help the local roofer, landscaper, plumber, accountant, website developer etc. can operate their business and allow us to handle answering his/her phone while they are on site. Have deliveries sent to a commercial location where they can be signed for and safely stored until they can be picked up. We will also be able to have several commercial vehicles parked or stored on our property
with security and video surveillance.
We will also host a location for business networking, teach classes on a variety of topics, and have a very small bookstore that carries only books on business, leadership, and personal development.
With our conference room capable of video conferencing as well this opens up other areas of service we can provide.
What We Need
We began investigating what we would need to turn this project from an idea into a reality. Between the asking price for the structure, the needed repairs, remodeling, and the furnishings we came up with estimates totaling between $250,000. to $300,000.
Current guesstimate, upon successful funding of this campaign in mid-September we purchase and within 3-4 months we are ready for business. A lot of the work can be done at the same time with minimal overlap. We will also build out a full website and Facebook that documents the progress, advertises the business, and its clients, and honors the backers.
· Building $125,000. bank will not fund must be cash deal
· New roof $25,000.
· Dumpster rental and gut the building $3000.
· Electrical repair and new wiring $7,000.
· HVAC replace/repair $4,500. - $12,000. furnace is currently under hole in roof
· Framing up offices, hang/finish drywall, paint $7,500. (current total $180,000)
· Parking lot re-paved $18,000.
Still need tree and shrub removal, fence repair, exterior painting, new front door, 2 half and one full bathroom need repair/replace, kitchen needs to be replaced, appliances, furnishings, insurance as well as anything we may have overlooked.
We were advised to keep the house with a full bathroom and kitchen keeping the property value up and allowing for potential future sale.
Through Local Business Network (www.LocBusNet.Com,) where we are members, I have access to all the other business types and contractors I would need and trust.
In the event we don't hit our total goal we will rent space somewhere else in the area and do all we can to bring in a few new jobs.
The Impact
Our project will bring 4-5 new full time jobs to the area. Several part time jobs in the form of contractors as well as a landscaper/snow removal person a full-time contract.
With three existing rooms and the ability to frame up for at least two more we will have no less than five offices for rent.
Our company has helped many businesses that were not doing anywhere near the amount of business they could be or even close to failing businesses turn into thriving companies. With our services in house we can help see to it our coworking center is also successful.
We have a large and very knowledgeable staff capable of helping in so many areas from mentoring to teaching classes and much more.
You can find few testimonies on my personal LinkedIn page.
Risks & Challenges
There is no situation I can think of that doesn't present risk this one included. In the middle of repairs we may discover a much larger issue at hand an unforeseen repair. It might take longer than the predicted time frame before we are up and running. It may be difficult to locate clients. These are just a few challenges that could present themselves.
The resources we have available in house and with the help of Local Business Network (LBN) are more than enough to ease my mind that no matter what situation arises we can find a way to remedy it.
Other Ways You Can Help
Maybe you can't back our project you can still assist us by...
- Helping us get the word out and make some noise about our campaign.
- Please remember to use the Indiegogo share tools!
- Post about us on Facebook, Tweet about us, show a friend our site!
We thank you for taking the time to read about our project. THANK YOU!
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