Working for yourself means you're the boss, and have no one looking over your shoulder.
It's one of the best things about running your own business. It's also one of the worst. Freelancing, independent contracting or consulting can be very rewarding, but also can be lonely or even boring, especially if you work solo in your home. And while office mates can sometimes cause distractions, those same people can help you get through a grueling day.
That's among the many reasons a group of Cincinnati young professionals recently launched Cincinnati Coworks, a community co-working concept where individual professionals can "get the job done" in a shared space once a week.
Cincinnati Coworks had its official launch Sept. 29, with a small group of workers, said co-founder Gerard Sychay, a Zipscene web developer. He got the idea after visiting Columbus, which has several co-working spaces, where entrepreneurs and techies, writers, attorneys and small business owners meet up.
"The concept is more than just renting an office space, it's a community hub for workers," said Sychay, who developed the idea along with Bill Barnett, the founder of BudgetSketch.com.
Cincinnati Coworks happens every Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Venue222, 222 East 14th St, in Over-The-Rhine. The cost to work there - $10 - covers the use of the work space, snacks and amenities, including WiFi, and a separate room for private phone calls.
Cincinnati Cowork's ultimate goal is to have about 15 regulars, enough to lease a regular space where people could come every day, Sychay said. Future plans also include organizing networking and other events which would add value to an independent worker's business.
Cincinnati Coworks is gauging interest in the concept, possible future location, cost and amenities with an online survey. Click here and weigh in.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Gerard Sychay, co founder Cincinnati Coworks
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