Author: Bob Dumouchel

This is my confession as a serial entrepreneur. I am, right now, standing on the edge of the startup rabbit hole, gazing into my eight-startup plan. The concept is at the core team formation stage, and it looks to be a strong opportunity with a $100 million path. But let’s be real—it hasn’t faced the brutal, unfiltered power of the first market contact.

Under great conditions, the team formation and first plan typically take three to six months and require frequent meetings with team members, business partners, and innovation-phase customers. This can be done remotely, but that is a weak strategy for building key relationships, which is better done in person. 

Starting a business involves meticulous planning, a multitude of decisions, and the availability of appropriate resources, including meeting space. Co-working spaces provide an excellent solution to this need, offering a range of benefits that facilitate effective business formation. This emphasis on planning ensures preparedness and instills a sense of control over the business’s direction, a key factor in feeling confident about the launch.

Co-working spaces have professional meeting rooms designed to accommodate various types of meetings, from small team huddles to large strategy sessions. These spaces are typically outfitted with modern amenities such as high-speed internet, audio-visual equipment, whiteboards, and conference call facilities. This professional setup fosters an environment where critical planning and decision-making can occur.

Another significant advantage of using co-working spaces is the flexibility they offer. Unlike traditional office leases, which often require long-term commitments and substantial upfront costs, co-working spaces provide flexible options. Entrepreneurs can use meeting rooms as needed, which is particularly beneficial when cash is beyond tight and meeting needs vary.  This flexibility allows for scaling up or down based on changing needs, ensuring cost-effectiveness. Have I mentioned yet that is the cheapest form of office rental?

Co-working spaces often host a vibrant community of like-minded professionals, startups, entrepreneurs, and community resources. This environment can lead to valuable networking opportunities and collaborations.

Hosting meetings in a well-designed, professional setting leaves a positive impression, showcasing the business’s seriousness and commitment. This can be especially important during the formative stages when building trust and credibility is crucial, making you feel confident and respected in the eyes of your stakeholders.

In conclusion, co-working spaces serve as an excellent resource for business formation. They provide professional, flexible, and well-equipped meeting spaces critical to reaching your launch decision and early-stage growth.

If you would like to discuss co-working space reach out to Flow in Santa Maria or Office Hours in SLO. Softec has desks in both of these, and we hold events where you can experience the space.

Every now and then, I get the fun job of spotting our amazing members, board, or sponsors doing some really cool stuff in our community. This time, I stumbled upon Softec’s very own VP of Women’s Issues, Tyler Skinner, shining brightly in a feature article in SLO Life Magazine. Way to go, Tyler! You can get a free subscription, and you will find the article on pages 72 and 74. It’s a Great Read!

Slides in PowerPoint

‘Twas the night before Christmas, in tech land so bright,
Where Softec played Santa, in the moon’s gentle light.
In San Luis Obispo and the Santa Maria Valley, under stars so grand,
Dreams of the ET community spread across the land.

The coders were nestled, all snug in their beds,
While visions of algorithms danced in their heads.
Softec with gadgets in tow,
Whispered of futures where technology would glow.

Then out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
And what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tech pioneers.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Softec.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.

“Now, Python! Now, Java, Now C and PHP!
On Cobol, On Visual C# and Basic!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As data that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop, the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Tech, and Softec too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little bit.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Softec came with a bound.

He was dressed all in LEDs, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of gadgets he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a hacker just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like typed variables, his nose like a for loop!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a perfect compile,
And the light of his screen was as white as the snow.

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
And filled all the drives with data and Softec Moments, then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team whistled,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”