This week we celebrate 5 years of being in business at Forge.  At the end of our celebration lunch I had a member ask if it felt like we had been in business one year or twenty.  I actually had to stop and think about that for awhile.  It definitely does not seem like the first year of business (thank goodness!), but it is hard to comprehend how five years have already passed.  I remember signing the first five year lease on the opening day of The Pizitz Food Hall (in the space that is soon to be Honest Coffee).  At that moment, five years seemed to be an eternity away!  And somehow, here we are, five years later!  When I actually pause to reflect all that we have accomplished over the last five years, I cannot believe how far we have come.  The prominent thread through each accomplishment over the last five years is that there is no way I could have done any of this on my own.  In honor of FIVE years, I have compiled a top FIVE list of my gratitudes for the ways others have been the reasons behind the success of Forge.

1.  The Forge Team

First and foremost I am extremely grateful for all of the people who have served on the Forge team.  Over the last five years we have had three Marketing and Community Managers, four Community Support Assistants, and eleven interns.  These are the people who have made Forge such a wonderful place for our members to work, serving and building our community each and every day.

Kelsey Sizemore, Katelyn Foote, Lauren Cushman, Alex Ball, Ella Lee, Jenna Nielsen, Molly Grace Quinn, Maclaine Kuehn, Emily Jackson, D’Talian Poole, Claire Cassata, Pate Simmons, Jen Stone, Meghan Speckman, Sarah English Coggins, Brenna Truitt and McKenzie Mowoe, yall are truly the best!!!

2.  Forge Members

Second, I am so grateful for our members, current and past!  I am so grateful for the people who have chosen Forge as a place to work.  I had a vision for what our community would look like and the way that our members would support each other.  But the community that has actually formed is greater than I could have dreamed.  Our best days at Forge are when we walk through the hall and hear Forge members helping each other tackle problems or hold each other accountable to their goals.  We may provide space for our members to work, but our members are the true heartbeat of what we do!

3.  The Birmingham Community

Third I am grateful for the support from the larger Birmingham community.  So many people over the years have championed Forge either by recommending Forge to a friend or colleague, sharing a post, participating in a giveaway, leading a lunch and learn, hosting events at Forge, bringing your team to gather at Forge or using Forge as a place to hold meetings.     I am grateful and proud to do business in a community that is dedicated to supporting local, small businesses.

4.  The Coworking Community Support

Fourth, I love being a part of the larger coworking community.  I have a great mentor who has walked with me through many ups and downs (Jamie Russo, you are the best!).  And I have a network of other coworking space owners and operators and I lean on every day!  I would not be where I am today without other coworking space owners who have given their time and wisdom to help me along the way!!

We’ve been hanging out on Zoom long before it was cool!

5.  My Family!

Last and most important, I am so grateful for my family!  When I started Forge, we had young children.  Starting a business was a huge change for our family – this was a whole family commitment, mom, dad, kids, grandparents… Without the support from everyone, Forge would not have been possible.  My husband, Murray, has been my number one champion and supporter every single day.  Fun fact, Murray is now an expert whiteboard hanger!   Grandparents pitch in every week helping us get kids where they need to be.  And my kids have been such troopers through this journey!  It has been an unexpected blessing to watch my kids mature as they have had to take on more responsibility with my days more busy. Even though they do not always like this extra responsibility, they know they are doing their part in helping Forge to succeed.  Over the years they have cheered on every success with us and prayed with us through the really hard times.  I could not do what I do without the love and support from my family!!

Those six on the front row are the ones who make it possible!

Thank you to everyone who has helped make Forge the thriving space and community that it is today!