Member Spotlight |
When we give tours of Forge’s workspace we are often asked “What type of companies work in this space?” And we love sharing about the unique companies represented in our community. The Forge community is made up of podcasters, marketers, architects, lawyers, photographers, influencers, nonprofit organizations and much more.
If you’re wondering if you would fit into the Forge family, read on. We’re sharing about several of the companies who office out of Forge. I bet you too can find your place in our coworking space!
HomeFit
HomeFit is centered on the idea of creating customized fitness solutions adapted to the specific needs of each client. HomeFit’s team of Fitness professionals provide detail-oriented personal training services, and enable you to achieve your most-wanted fitness goals. They analyze your needs, goals, lifestyle, and motivations, then work with you to provide a program suited for you!
And here’s the best part… because of the daily time constraints that most of us experience, HomeFit works around your schedule and in the comfort of your own home or office. We loved learning about HomeFit when Matthew Foster, CEO of HomeFit joined Forge!
Ranked College Football
Forge Member Jake Gillikin is the Founder of Ranked– a brand new app for college football fanatics! In the Ranked app, you can filter games by rank, kickoff time, conference, game rating, and more. And even compare stats and trends side-by-side between teams and players. Users can set up notifications for teams and game info like spreads, tv channel, and kick off time. If you love college football, you have to check out Ranked.
Fetch Rewards
Fetch Rewards turns all your retail and restaurant receipts into savings. Simply scan any grocery, retail or restaurant receipt after you shop, and save on thousands of popular products throughout the store. Earn points on every receipt or eReceipt you scan. Then turn receipts into gift cards for online retailers, e.g. Amazon, Target, and others! We love having some of the Fetch team working out of Forge!
We loved this meme from Fetch’s Instagram account!
Focus Creative
Most companies mistakenly use stock or low quality images to showcase their business. Your business is a reflection of you – your hopes, your dreams, your visions. And Focus Creative can help you by creating great photos and video you can use in your business marketing efforts so the world sees your business as it really is. They offer professional photography plus visual and marketing consulting.
Focus Creative recently won the Campaigns & Elections Reed Award for “Best Use of a Social Platform” with their work on the Patrick McClusky campaign in Homewood. Forge Member Stuart Franco is the Owner of Focus Creative, and we love having him in the Forge community!
Check out Focus Creative on Instagram to see the brands they work with!
GoodJob
GoodJob simplifies the hiring process by serving companies qualified job-seekers who will fit their company’s culture. The GoodJob algorithm is highly accurate at predicting whether someone is a great match for your position. You can post a job with a short description and key details, and they’ll match you instantly with the top applicants on their platform based on their comprehensive recruitment system. We love having a few of the GoodJob team members working from Forge!
We know working from home can feel isolating. Are you looking to make a change? Schedule a tour of Forge! We would love for you to join the Forge community!
Member Spotlight |
The Forge community is full of diverse members from different backgrounds with so many different career paths. We love hearing the stories from our members about how they ended up where they are today. Jay Barrett is the owner and operator of Fetch! Pet Care franchises in Washington DC and Birmingham. Let’s hear more about him and his business!
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
My name is Jay Barrett. My husband, Klint, and I have a 4 year old son named Mac. We live in Jasper, but commute into Birmingham every day.
What do you do – your elevator pitch?
My team and I own and operate Fetch! Pet Care franchises in Washington, DC and Birmingham metros. For the past 14 years we have provided dog walking and pet sitting for some of the areas best clients and pets. Currently we have over 140 employees between the two locations.
Photo from the Fetch! website
How did you get into this business? What lead you to start it or become a part of it?
I started out in Atlanta, GA as a Fetch! Pet Care client for my own dogs. I traveled full-time and there were many months my dogs saw our Fetch! sitter more than they saw me. During the financial crisis in 2008 we moved to back to Birmingham and I purchased my first Fetch! franchise. We quickly grew the team and client base to what is it today.
I can imagine that it can be difficult to juggle all of the demands of work and life. How do you do it?
Delegate. There was a time I felt like I had to do everything myself and I struggled with delegation to my team. Sometimes it’s still a struggle but it’s so important to any team. I also try to have fun and always put myself in my employee’s shoes.
What is the biggest lesson or takeaway you’ve gathered over the course of your career?
Focus. Entrepreneurs often focus on too many opportunities at one time. I know I did early in my career and once I was taught to focus my efforts on fewer items my company grew faster.
If you were to give advice to your younger self what would it be?
ABC. Always be closing. I would also tell him not to take everything so seriously and take his failures as opportunities.
Photo from the Fetch! website
What is something you wish more people knew about you and the industry you work in?
Pets are family and deserve the best care. Our team exists to provide that care every day.
What is your favorite part about your job?
I love the freedom of owning my own business and watching my team work together to do amazing things. I know that sounds hoity but it’s the truth.
Photo from Fetch! website
Why did you decide to join Forge?
Location, location, location. I needed something that was clean, convenient and easy. Forge is amazing and I am thankful to have it’s resources.
Are you interested in trying out Forge? We provide open workspaces, private offices and meeting rooms designed to foster the growth of your business while connecting you with our thriving community! Book your tour today.
Forge News and Updates |
Here at Forge, we want to create an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and productivity. We believe that our services, staff, and space offer all of our members a unique working experience where we invite them to be the best version of themselves.
At Forge, we value your time and efforts as much, if not more, than you. However, coworking spaces can be distracting and loud at times, and we want our space to contribute to your work, not takeaway or distract you from it.
With that said, we love that Forge offers members open spaces to connect, work, and collaborate, but we must remember the etiquette of coworking space. Whether you’re a coworking space expert or a newbie, we believe these are great reminders of proper behavior and etiquette for any coworking space.
1. Use your headphones
We love that you’re listening to you Monday morning pump up playlists – music is motivating guys! However, I don’t think Gabriel from Chicago wants to hear your country rap blaring through your phone speakers. We also love that you’re talking to your grandma for the 3rd time this morning trying to help her take a screenshot on her iPad; however, the whole office doesn’t need a tutorial on screenshots. We want you guys to have the freedom to listen to music, podcasts, take calls, etc., but we respectfully ask that you do so via headphones or not utilizing speaker phone.
2. Don’t overstay your welcome
We love when you utilize conference spaces or working areas; however, we urge you to stay for your allotted time and not overuse it – these spaces are shared for a reason. We all have that one friend who tends to unintentionally stays their welcome. While we love their company, we do not really know how to kindly ask them to leave. Don’t be this friend. We’re not expecting that you leave before your time ends, but we encourage you to be mindful of how long you’ve been in rooms or phone booths.
The phone booths are the perfect little getaway for phone calls, but we ask that when you’re done to not stay hidden away for too long, online shopping is a dark hole – we get it. We only request that you are aware of your time in phone booths, plus online shopping can happen at your desk (it’s much easier on a laptop too!).
3. Keep your space tidy
Remember when you were a kid, and your mom was always on you about cleaning up after yourself or cleaning your room and making it presentable? Well, we ask the same of you when you use our space. Sometimes, if I left it messy for long enough, my mom would come behind me and tidy up or clean-up after me. At Forge, we are not going to be your moms – you have great ones already so no need for us! Jokes aside, all we ask is that you keep your working areas free from too much clutter, throw away your trash, and make sure the space is clean for the next person.
4. Be considerate
Coworking spaces are awesome (yes, we are a little biased). We want all of our members and guests to feel welcomed and loved. You play a role in that as well. We simply ask that you be considerate of other people, everyone’s time, our spaces, and the staff here.
We love that you’re here, and we hope that your experience goes above and beyond your expectations. We are going to do everything we can to make sure your time here is as comfortable and easy as possible. While we are doing our part, we kindly ask that you do yours, as a member, and remember these coworking space etiquettes.
Forge is a wonderful place to work and connect or network, even if virtually (thanks COVID), and we are so excited you are here! Please reach out to us if you need anything! We love that you chose us to be your working home!
Forge News and Updates |
Are you and your company looking for the perfect professional meeting space that meets all your needs? Look no further! Here is your guide to finding the meeting and event space of your dreams.
With more than 75 meeting spaces in Birmingham, finding one that fits your needs and desires may be overwhelming. That’s where I’m here to help. When booking a space in Birmingham, it’s important to make sure it has everything you need.
1. Professional Setting
2. Clean and Sanitized (especially during the current pandemic – you can never be too careful)
3. Well-Equipped with the Proper Amenities
4. Welcoming and Relaxed Environment
5. Cost-Effective
6. Parking and Accessibility
7. Geographically Convenient
8. Plenty of Room – You don’t want to feel cramped while in a meeting!
Here’s a list of some of the best Birmingham meeting spaces, that meet all of these requirements and more!
- Forge
Did you really think I was going to write an article about the best conference/ meeting spaces in Birmingham and not include Forge?! Forge, in the heart of downtown Birmingham, offers four beautifully designed conference rooms for members and visitors. These conference rooms can accompany varying numbers of people and offers beautiful natural light, proper technology, and stunning views of Birmingham. Forge also has event space available for groups of up to 100 people. Book a meeting room today or check out the event space!
2. The Hub
Located in West Homewood, AL, besides Seeds Coffee, the Hub offers meeting spaces for up to 15 people. The space has all the proper technological equipment and WIFI needed, as well as a lounge, greenspace, and coffee next door. Similar to the next three places, the Hub is a collaborative co-working space for professionals of all kinds.
Photo from The Hub Website
3. Social Venture
Social Venture is a co-working and meeting space, located in the heart of Woodlawn. It offers small and large sized meeting rooms with Apple TV, HDMI inputs, podiums, and more for all meeting and conference needs. For more information on reserving these spaces visit, click here.
Photo from Social Venture Website
4. WORX BHM
Worx BHM, located off Lakeshore and Columbiana, offers two great options for conference rooms. They have rooms for 12 – 20 people, depending on location! If you’re interested in booking a space here, please contact info@worxbhm.com or call 205-379-6023 to reserve a room.
Photo from Worx Instagram
5. Back Forty Beer Company
Recently, Back Forty opened their B40 Barrel Room which is the perfect space for a more casual medium to large meeting space. The indoor stage and 20’ projection screen are the perfect added details for any presentations and conference rooms. For more information, please email info@backfortybham.com.
photo from Bham Now
6. Elyton Hotel
The Elyton Hotel offers wonderful meeting and event spaces, in downtown Birmingham. They have a number of different spaces that can accommodate groups of all sizes – from smaller 10 – 30 groups or up to 125 guests. The Elyton is the perfect place for your next meeting or conference. Call ahead or visit their website online for more information.
Photo from Marriott website
7. Avondale Brewing Company
In Avondale resides a historically preserved and restored building, known to many as Avondale Brewery. However, inside this stunning building is a beautiful space for all weddings, formal meetings, and more. For more information, please visit their website and fill out their Booking Information Form.
Photo from Wedding Spot
8. Grand Bohemian Hotel (Mountain Brook – Crestline Village)
The Grand Bohemian provides meeting/conference spaces to meet all your capacity needs. Larger meetings and conferences may utilize the 400-person ballroom. In addition, they have smaller rooms for 10 to 35 people available for rent. Call ahead or book your space online.
Photo from Marriott Website
9. Aloft Hotel Birmingham (Soho Square)
Located in the heart of downtown Homewood, ALoft provides a beautiful space with up to 60 people capacity. Once the meeting is over, ALoft’s locations offers a variety of Birmingham local dining establishment within walking distance. The conference room offers a variety of different meeting set ups depending on your particular needs. For more information or to book the room, click here.
Photo from Marriott Website
I hope this list of conference room and meeting and/or event spaces is a great start to an extensive list of incredible spaces located around Birmingham. If none of these places work out for you, I encourage you to continue to find and share spaces that work for all of your needs.
The first four suggestions are special to us here at Forge, as they are all coworking spaces located around the Birmingham area. In fact, they, and some others not mentioned, are all a part of the Birmingham Coworking Collective(BCC). The BCC’s goal is to grow and strengthen the coworking community in Birmingham through increasing awareness and much more.
In efforts to increase awareness, support coworking, and empower professionals around Birmingham, the Birmingham Coworking Collective has a Passport which allows you access to all seven of the coworking spaces in the Birmingham area – allowing you to visit and try out each space before potentially committing to a membership.
Even if coworking is not for you, we highly encourage you to check out these wonderful collaborative working spaces and some of the meeting and conference rooms Birmingham has to offer.
