Forge News and Updates |
Last week Forge celebrated its third year in business. I can vividly remember those first few months after our doors opened: the future seemed so far away. Three years have come quicker than I ever imagined. Forge has grown, experienced growing pains, watched our member’s businesses thrive, expanded our location and operated in a pandemic. A lot has happened in three years! As I slow down and look back to where we started and where we are today, a few reflections come to mind.
1. After three years of hard work and many sleepless nights, I still love this business and this industry just as much as I did the day we opened. The things that initially drew me to the coworking industry are more important now than ever!
I have always believed in the power of community, and the separation we experience in the pandemic has only emphasized that! For the last six months we have all been forced to work from home and our day to day interaction with people has been taken away. The most common frustration I hear expressed by entrepreneurs and small business owners is isolation and loneliness, even when they love the work they do. Forge fosters the power of connection.
2. Understanding industry norms in your business is important. As a new business owner, you cannot have this perspective on your own.
You have to surround yourself with mentors in your industry who can provide perspective on the ups and downs in your business.I have a group of coworking space owners that I meet with monthly.Our meetings provide a safe place to discuss the difficulties we face. Each meeting I leave encouraged that the problems I experience others do as well. This perspective builds confidence in the work that I do.
3. Know your numbers!
One of the first exercises I did to prepare for the impact of COVID was to create a new financial forecast for the rest of 2020. Honestly, it was very disheartening to look at how our growing business might take a sharp turn on our growth trajectory. But having a clear picture of what to prepare for created confidence to operate boldly. This exercise took the anxiety out of what might happen.
4. The Birmingham business community is awesome!
The more people I meet, the more I realize just how special this community really is. As I share experiences with business owners in other cities, I am reminded of our unique environment. It is a privilege and honor to run a business in this city for this city.
Forge News and Updates |
Over several months Forge has been working with some awesome coworking spaces to build the Birmingham Coworking Collective! The BCC officially launched this week and even though the launch is much different than we expected (thanks COVID), we are still excited to strengthen the coworking community in our city.
Birmingham Coworking Collective is part of a beta program through the Global Workspace Association. GWA is the connection-based resource for shared space operators, workplace strategists, real estate investors and service providers to stay connected, current and competitive in the flexible office industry.
With the launch of the collective, we’re also launching a Coworking Passport as well! This gives you a chance to schedule one day of work at each of the participating spaces. You can learn more about the space, see what kind of perks there are and how it works for you.
What’s the mission of Birmingham Coworking Collective?
- Build and strengthen the coworking community in Birmingham by growing awareness of coworking in our city
- Empower those starting out coworking
- Enrich the experience of those currently coworking
- Connecting the creative engines behind each space into a diverse, vibrant network committed to good work
- Provide resources to new coworkers
- Promote collaboration and cross-programming among our spaces
- Learn from one another as unique community spaces, we will make Birmingham a better place to work.
So besides Forge, who is part of the Birmingham Coworking Collective?
Worx : a workspace with 2 locations in the Birmingham area- offering over 40 private office suites and best in class amenities!
MAKEbhm: a community space, celebrating the passion to create. Rent space, access equipment or enroll in a class at MAKE!
Practice Works: working solutions for your wellness practice, coworking for all with option to drop in or rent a dedicated office!
The Hub: a close-knit coworking community in the centrally located West Homewood
Innovation Depot: 140,000 square feet of amazing office, lab, and coworking space – all designed for your startup
Social Venture: co-working space, meeting space and change-making space in the heart of Woodlawn that supports REV Birmingham’s work creating vibrant places across the city
If you or someone else you know are looking for coworking space, contact Birmingham Coworking Collective to claim your passport! The passport gives you access to seven coworking spaces in the greater Birmingham area, allowing you to experience each community and find out which space is best for you before committing to a membership.
Forge News and Updates |
Our friends at Bham Now recently published a story about all of the upgrades we’ve made at Forge! Read on to see the changes to our workspace.
If the luster of working from home has worn off, you need to know about all the upgrades Forge, the cool coworking space just above The Pizitz Food Hall downtown, has made to keep everybody safe. Want to see for yourself? Book a tour today.
Forge really has thought of everything to make coworking safe and fun for everyone. I talked with Kim Lee, Founder and CEO and Kelsey Sizemore, Marketing and Community Manager, to get all the details, including 20% off for any Bham Now reader who signs up for a full-time or dedicated desk membership. 👇🏽
So many reasons to *not* work from home
Pajama bottoms and sports bras aside, there are *so many* reasons any of us might be itching to get back into a more professional setting.
In fact, Kim and Kelsey said over the past month or so, more and more people have hit a point where they’re wanting to go somewhere—even if it’s just for part of a workday or workweek. Forge is the perfect solution.
Take a look at all the ways Forge has upgraded
1. Clear safety protocols leave nothing to chance
Forge came up with these Health and Safety Procedures a while back and have tweaked them to keep current with the times.
2. Nooks help you keep your distance while getting things done
Not only can you block out distractions in one of these new little nooks, but they come with their own remote control so you can select the mood lighting that suits you. Also, note the cleaning supplies above the power strip. Sort of like a mint on your pillow in these mid-pandemic times…
3. Different size meeting rooms allow for privacy
Sometimes you just want to be able to step into a room with a colleague and shut the door for a conversation you don’t want the world to hear. Private meeting rooms are perfect for those times.
Need to have a team meeting but your office is closed and Zoom just won’t cut it? Forge has new team offices that can accommodate groups of 5-6 with plenty of room for people to spread out.
4. Forge makes the coffee for you 🙌🏽
Part of the new safety protocol at Forge is a centralized full-service coffee station. Plus, this is a nice treat for anyone who’s been making their own cup of coffee for the past 5+ months.
5. Make client calls—or dinner reservations—in your very own phone booth
I have to admit, these private phone booths are my absolute favorite upgrade. Now the people who are on sales calls for much of the day, or those of us who need to do a quick interview, have somewhere secluded to go. ❤️
Forge has 3 membership levels
1. Dedicated desk, starting at $325 / month
2. Full time, starting at $189 / month
3. Community, starting at $99 / month
The community membership is new, and designed for people who don’t necessarily need to come in every day. You get professional mailing capabilities, the member rate on meeting room space and day passes, and access to HR benefits including healthcare, retirement, HR services and more. Pretty sweet for a small biz working to keep expenses low.
Find all the details on membership here, and book your tour so you can see for yourself.
What people who work at Forge have to say
He’s been a member since Day 1
“As a sole proprietor who’s been in business for over 15 years, I have been in every type of office set up imaginable. Forge, to date, has been the best.
Working alone can be isolating, but Forge offers a great community environment at an affordable price right in the middle of downtown Birmingham.
If I have a deadline, I have the ability to focus in on my work without distraction in my private office. There is also a vast array of businesses sharing this space…several of whom I have hired to help with marketing/ web site development, strategic plans, and accounting.”
John Wilson of Golightly Landscape Architecture
These two joined more recently
“Working at Forge has been a great escape from my home office. The space is modern, well designed, has a great community and I love that it overlooks the Pizitz food hall.”
Michael Crider of Semco
“Forge has been a great turnkey solution for our company. We were up and running on day one. We also enjoy the energy of a shared work environment while having the privacy of a dedicated office.”
Perry Still of HNS Partners
Book a tour now so you can see all that Forge has to offer for yourself.
