An interview with Jerome Chang, founder of Blankspaces

For the latest installment in my ongoing, informal series of interviews with coworking movers and shakers, I hit up Jerome Chang for some answers about what he’s doing at his place, Blankspaces. Blankspaces is a coworking place in Los Angeles, a for-profit model with various flexible rental plans. Chang is the founder. Besides this new venture, he’s got a really impressive resume as an architect. Among other projects he worked on Google’s headquarters. Herewith, a few words with Jerome, who answered via email.

Spike Gillespie: When/how were you first introduced to the idea of coworking?
Jerome Chang: During the construction of this space, I was approached by a “tech” guy who posted me on the Coworking Wiki. He heard about it through someone else who thought I could host BarCamp LA.

Spike: What prompted you to open a coworking space?
Jerome: I wanted to open my own office, but share it with a few people because servers, copiers, etc. are all pretty expensive for 1 person. I began to notice how many people were working in cafés such as Starbucks. I ran some numbers, pitched a biz plan, found some investors, and opened doors 4/3/2008. It took 18 months from the 1st day I opened up that first spreadsheet.

Spike: You have a really impressive architect resume — are you still doing that or are you fully focused on BLANKSPACES now?
Jerome: Thanks. I do both. I am the architect for a new 5,000 sf restaurant to be opened in Hollywood this fall; and a 3,000 sf boutique hotel renovation on the edge of Koreatown. I now don’t market myself as an architect because Blankspaces keeps me busy enough that I just wait for projects to come to me. I’m very fortunate for not having to hustle for that next project.

At the risk of boasting, I want to tell you that I also teach architecture one night/wk. This past year, I’ve taught in Otis College of Art and Design’s architecture dept, UCLA Extension’s landscape architecture dept, and FIDM’s interior design dept. (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising). Yes, I sleep 7+ hrs/night.

Spike: You’ve chosen to go for an atmosphere that includes cubicles and more of a “traditional” workspace feel than some other coworking spaces. What informed this decision?
Jerome: I’m an architect, which means I design a space top-down. I also have resources to furniture, finishes and construction to which most others probably don’t have access. This approach is in my opinion, more comprehensive of a build-out, which I think is necessary for the flexibility, modularity, and many types of people who would use the space. Besides, I think a more “professional” environment is more appropriate for client meetings and spaces/events for corporations.

Spike: You’re also using a for-profit business model (as is LaunchPad Coworking). How did you decide on this model? Did you take any heat for it?
Jerome: I’m all for pushing collaboration and communities — if profit is what it takes to generate more participants and advance the cultural movement, then profit it is. Between the time and effort, money, and liability, we should be rewarded for that contribution and exposure. Besides, I didn’t know about coworking at all until I’d already started construction, so I was not “influenced” by the altruism.

Spike: You opened in March 2008, right? How’s it going? Are you full a lot?
Jerome: March was more of a pre-opening — there were temporary workspaces until construction finished up. People didn’t actually work in the spaces as you see it now until 4/3/2008. It’s going well. We add a couple of people every week, and there are a good number of events and walk-ins. We have a good number of people everyday to create that buzz, but our capacity can handle many more.

Spike: Is it tricky dealing with reservations? How do you keep from conflicting overlaps?
Jerome: We just schedule them accordingly. We’re about to launch our online reservation system so that people can see for themselves what’s available.

Spike: What’s your cancellation policy?
Jerome: It’s in our members’ agreements. Basically, if you don’t cancel within 30 min of your start time, you’re charged for that time slot and we can also let someone else use that space.

Spike: Given your location, I’ve created this narrative in which the place is full of eccentric and neurotic screenwriters toiling away at screenplays. What’s the reality — are you getting a good mix from across numerous disciplines?
Jerome: Yes. We have writers, producers, a developer, medical sales rep, website project manager, educational consultant, music label, PR, filmmaker, graphic designer, and a couple of tech start-ups.

Spike: The owner of Cubes and Crayons — as quoted in NYT yesterday — says she has to actually go home to work now, since being in the coworking space involves constantly talking to coworkers (because they are her customers). Are you able to get work done at Blankspaces?
Jerome: Haha. It’s kind of ironic that way sometimes, huh?  I’m transferring more and more duties to others, but yes, sometimes it’s a bit of a balance. My space (5,000 sf) is big enough for me to “hide” in a remote cubicle or private office.

Spike: What else would you like to tell me?
Jerome: This whole coworking movement, plus the potential to explore so many work/online/cultural components is amazing — I hope I can help spearhead anything related to that. And I LOVE working for myself, not BY myself.

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Be sure also to check out the awesome 1-minute video about Blankspaces.