Here are just a few of the ways coworking can change your life and career:

1. You’ll get twice as much work done at your new co-working desk than you did at home. Really and truly. It’s reverse peer pressure or something.

2. That side project you’re trying to launch? Now you work side-by-side with a bunch of writers, designers, developers and video people who can help you make it happen.

3. Your client needs a big website? But you can only handle part of the project? See number two. Now you can assemble a team to meet those needs in a flash. Or earn some brownie points with a referral.

4. Avoid elderly shut-in syndrome. Seriously, there’s magic just to getting out of the house and talking with real people. Your cat has already heard ALL your best stories.

5. Keep work from bleeding into every corner of your personal life. It’s easier to create a healthy work/life balance when “leaving it at the office” doesn’t refer to the spare bedroom.

6. You’ll effortlessly keep up with all the latest Internet memes. Like this one. Or maybe this one. And I’ll go ahead and throw in a totally self-serving link.

7. It solves annoying business problems. After whining about bookkeeping, my office mates introduced me to a wondrous thing known as Fresh Books.

8. You’ll build and expand your professional network. Even when you’re too busy to make it to that Meetup/event/cocktail thing-y that you didn’t really want to go to anyway.

9. Your grandma will start to think you have a real job. Maybe your mom, too. It’s something about going to an office that impresses the older relatives.

10. Have you looked at your tax bill yet? Your co-working membership is one more awesome thing to decrease your taxable income.

11. Creative energy is contagious. Being around other people working on awesome projects makes you more excited about your awesome projects.

12. If you’re a parent with kids at home, I hear it’s delightful to work in an adults-only space. No crying or tantrums or impromptu Candyland games (well, most of the time).

13. You’ll have people to bounce ideas off in real time. Not sure if that headline is too nutty? Or need advice on a client issue? Ask your desk neighbor.

14. There’s almost always beer and wine in the fridge. And no one cares if you break it out at, say, 3:30 on a Friday afternoon.

15. Wow, you now have two conference rooms at your disposal for client meetings. Or just to take a private phone call. Aren’t you fancy?

16. When you do decide to go to a Meetup/event/cocktail thing-y to network, you won’t have to go far. We host a bunch of them right here in the space.

17. Want to hold an event for you own industry or professional group? Your membership gives you 24/7 access to the space, and you can hold those events here for free.

18. Umm, sunshine=happiness. And we work in an awesome light-filled loft in a historic building. We’re even convinced there might be a secrete passageway somewhere.

19. You’ll sound (and be smarter) in all those client meetings. It’s easier to keep up with what’s going on in the business and tech worlds when you have office mates.

20. You can still work at home when you feel like it. I do it a couple days a week. A coworking membership doesn’t cost all that much, so you don’t have to feel bad about not going every day.

21. You’ll have real-life co-workers again, but no boss. Or weird corporate rules about what you can put on your desk. It’s the best of both worlds.

22. We know all the awesome lunch spots. And want you to come with us. Just be prepared to hear about the latest Internet meme (see # 6).

23. Co-workers are better than a personal cheerleading squad. They want your business—and your most offbeat side projects—to be smashing successes.

Did you make it all the way to the end of this post? You should definitely set up a time to drop in and work with us. We’re even better in person.

Lorain Pettit, CPA will present the ins and outs of taxes for freelancers.    Lorain’s accounting experience comes from both public accounting and industry.  She has over 11 years experience working for both local (Barnes, Dennig and Co., Ltd) and national (BKD, LLP) CPA firms.  Prior to her public accounting experience she was the controller for a number of local well known businesses.  Companies she has worked with include restaurants, real estate development and management, construction, wholesale/ distribution and not for profit organizations.  She consistently provides timely accurate responses to the needs of her clients.  Lorain has represented clients through the examination process with Internal Revenue Service.

Thursday, Feb. 9 from 11:30 to 1:00

Please RSVP: http://twtvite.com/lunchnlearn-cpa

I think a lot of creative entrepreneurs get so caught up in the BIG IDEA they’re trying to execute that the legal details easily fall by the wayside. You might look up one day and think, “Should I be a corporation or have contracts or something?” It’s important stuff, but not necessarily fun for those of us focused on writing, design, programming or another passion.

Hemm shared a ton of good advice today, but I’m going to sum up a few points that stuck out to me:

1.) Know Your Current Situation If you’re making the leap from full-time employment to entrepreneur, you need to think about your legal obligations to your current employer. Do you have an employment agreement? Or a non-compete? Does your employer own any ideas you come up with while on the payroll? Think through these questions before you make the break.

2.) Not All Entities Are Created Equal We’re talking business entities, here, and it’s a good idea to have one. Forming a C-corp, S-corp or LLC helps protect your personal assets if something should go awry with your business. Hemm suggests steering clear of what he calls the “P words”—proprietorship and partnership.

3.) Keep Your Paperwork in Order There’s proper documentation associated with each type of entity, and it pays to invest in that preparation. Even if you have a one-person LLC, for instance, you need to have a Membership Agreement. Take the appropriate steps to make your business legitimate.

4.) Plan for the Divorce While You’re Still on the Honeymoon Starting a business with your best friend? Or a couple of folks with complementary skills? Now’s the time to figure out who’s responsible for what and how you’ll proceed if one person wants out of the business. As Hemm says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

5.) Choose a Brand Name You Can Protect Your brand’s name is part of your business’s intellectual property, but some names are easier to protect under the law than others. A generic name (i.e. Hardhat Construction) is harder to protect than something arbitrary (i.e. Apple) or fanciful (i.e. Lululemon). Keep that in mind when you’re choosing a company moniker.

Want to learn more? Don’t miss our next Lunch and Learn. It’s on Thursday, February, 9, with Lorain Pettit, CPA. She’ll be offering up advice on tax issues for small business owners. It’s FREE, so we hope to see you there (I mean, here, at Cincy Coworks)!

Meanwhile…..

In the front of end of CincyCoWorks, the campaign team for Judge Fanon Rucker met for a strategy meeting.  Judge Rucker is running for Ohio Supreme Court.  Pretty exciting to have a state wide campaign team working out our co-working space!

Need space for an event?  Drop us a line at info@cincycoworks.com.  We are more than happy to show you the ropes!

The presentation will explore solutions to issues and considerations faced by new businesses as they move from a good idea to launch to success.

Here are a few tidbits about our presenter. Erich Hemm is the founder and Principal of the Law Offices of Erich Hemm, LLC, a Cincinnati based firm specializing in business, intellectual property and non-profit law and serving clients throughout North America and abroad. He is licensed in the states of New York and Ohio, and is a registered patent attorney.

Mr. Hemm has also served as a Foreign Trade Associate for the Canadian Consulate General and as a business and marketing consultant, helping local, regional and global businesses create opportunities and expand their markets. He is himself an inventor and business owner, and his professional practice focuses extensively on the issues and challenges faced by new and emerging businesses.

You can reach out to Erich at www.hemmlaw.com

Please note, the date is THURSDAY, the 26 (not the 27). My error in the first post!

RSVP to http://twtvite.com/lunchnlearn201201

Marcelina
Your Friendly CCW Social Media Cruise Director

Our first Lunch and Learn will be on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Our first guest is Erich Hemm, an Intellectual Property Lawyer who focuses on small biz owners/freelancers and entrepreneurs (Please RSVP: http://twtvite.com/lunchnlearn201201).

Our second guest is Lorain Pettit, CPA. She will provide us with some tax time advice! She will join us on Thursday, Feb. 9, 11:30 AM to 1 PM (Please RSVP: http://twtvite.com/lunchnlearn-cpa).

Please note, except for January, the L & L will try to be on the second Thursday of the month.

The L & L are open to the public! Feel free to invite guests. All we ask is that you RSVP on the twtvite link for a head count.

Finally, if there is a topic you would like to have covered or an expert you would like for me to invite to present, let us know!

You don’t have to be a member to come and join us for the series, but we would love to have you join the Cincy CoWorks gang.  Details on how to RSVP are coming soon.

Interested in spending the day and checking out the space?  Just drop us a line and one of us will make an appointment to welcome you in for the day.

Have a wonderful and happy holiday weekend!

Cincy CoWorks Team

Marcelina Robledo

One of my favorite quotes is by William Blake.  It goes like this: “I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s; I will not reason and compare: my business is to create.”

Well, that pretty much sums me up. I am video producer and director. I am a teacher. I am a creator.

Over the last 10 years my career has been a blend of video production and working within the arts scene of Cincinnati. One of the best things about being a freelancer is the range of work I do and the various types of fascinating people I encounter.

A few of my video projects over the years include public service announcements (PSA) for LULAC (League of United Latin American Countries) featuring Los Lobos, online PSA for the Cincinnati Art Museum, a film short for the 2008 Fringe Festival, an indie full-length feature  film, and a passion piece or two.

Intertwined with the video projects, I have been in the sales and marketing departments for the world renowned Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the two Tony Award winning Playhouse in the Park.  I also was in Community Engagement for ArtWave (formally the Fine Arts Fund), which connects the community through the arts.

This year I’ve had a blast teaching the youth video production through the Center for Great Neighborhoods.  I am also a teaching artists with The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center.  I work with the youth to create “movie trailers” of the underdog themed stories they create.

2012 is looking like it is going to be a busy and banner year for me.  I am a new trainer for WebMediaUniversity.com, where individuals earn on-line social media certification.  I am founding member of MidLand Film Institute, which is bringing a film component to MidPoint Music Festival.  Finally, of course, I am the newest team member for CincyCoWorks!

Until next time, have a happy holiday season.

Marcelina

I wish we had taken a “before” photo for comparison’s sake.  We still need to to touch up parts of the room still, but it is definitely in usable shape now.  Introducing Cincy Coworks, now with two functioning conference rooms!

Special thanks to @kevinrockwood, for helping remove, clean, and replace each of the 12 skylight windows yesterday.  Our members rock!

Cincinnati Coworks is a coworking community and space and the 1st of its kind in Cincinnati. Our purpose is to advocate for and support self-employed professionals, and incite creativity, opportunity, and learning by gathering people with ideas. Members are programmers, writers, entrepreneurs, telecommuters, and more. Members choose from full-time, part-time and single day memberships.

What You Will Do

• Buy into the coworking values.
• Be available 20 hours/week (flexible schedule)
• Execute our marketing plan through social media and traditional channels.
• Conduct Public Relations through our blog and through press releases.
• Plan and organize events in the space (meetups, brown bag lunches, parties)
• General office management such as monthly invoicing, keeping supplies stocked.
• Field in-person inquiries and email inquiries.
• Give tours to visitors and new members.
• Open the space most mornings and make the 1st pot of coffee.

What You Will Get (Besides Money)

• Autonomy to create your own strategies and see their direct results (make CCW your baby!)
• A full-time membership ($250/month value) and all the amenities appertaining to.
• Access to an incredible set of minds to grow your own ideas and business off of.
• An opportunity to be a part of something unique in the city.
• Have fun!

If interested, please send a resume to gerard@cincycoworks.com and briefly describe why you’re interested in working with Cincinnati Coworks.