Comments on: Transparency and Catharsis

By: What do you want in a VIP membership? « Austin Entrepreneur Network

What do you want in a VIP membership? « Austin Entrepreneur Network — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:08:59 +0000

[...] what great response we’ve received from our last post! Your comments, emails, tweets, and calls have been so encouraging. And your ideas are [...]

By: Austin Coworking - What do you want in a VIP membership? - LaunchPad Coworking Blog

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:13:42 +0000

[...] Transparency and Catharsis [...]

By: Julie Gomoll

Julie Gomoll — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:03:58 +0000

Trish – it was great talking with you last night. Welcome to the wonderful world of coworking!

Keven – thanks for the good thoughts and for the good ideas, both here and in your email. Hope you’re enjoying Hamburg :)

By: Kevin Dykes

Kevin Dykes — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 09:19:24 +0000

Hi Julie –

I respect the hell out of you standing out there and having the guts to say you’re struggling. 2008 has been a motherf#@cker for many of us – Charles and I have had so many false starts – and almost there moments. I can feel your pain!

While I realize it could change the face of the space – what about landing an anchor for a portion of the space for a 12 – 18 month contract – allowing the balance of the space to function as intended. With the economic challenges – it could be a great stepping-stone growth space for some company who is trying to grow but can’t commit to a longer-term build-out commitment.

I also have another thought that I’ll send by email – good luck and keep fighting. We’ve all weathered this crap before – this when we show what we’re made of!

Kevin

By: Trish

Trish — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:33:37 +0000

Hi Julie,

Im also working on a coworking space in the Boston area and have been working with investors. I feel your pain!

I have some ideas that I would love to discuss with you — are you available for a phone conversation or private email exchange? Not about confidentiallity so much as it being a more involved conversation.

I think we might be able to help each other.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:00:21 +0000

Julie,
thanks for your transparency – i know it’s hard. But you guys have a solid operation — here’s hoping the cash markets will open for you soon. I might be interested in talking more on the investment / loan end — don’t have much but would love to see what we can do.

By: Michelle Greer

Michelle Greer — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:35:55 +0000

I’m sorry to hear this, Julie. I don’t know any investors but it’s nice to know you need help in case I run into anyone who has potential.

If there is anything I can do to help, let me know. I plan to go to LaunchPad when it opens.

By: tomh

tomh — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:43:47 +0000

Hang tough Julie! Let us know what plans are available for ‘true believers’.

By: Julie Gomoll

Julie Gomoll — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:12:08 +0000

I also invite any lawyers to jump in here.
* Am I accurate in my understanding of the constraints?
* How much can I reveal here, particularly about what we’ve spent and need?

By: Julie Gomoll

Julie Gomoll — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:57:58 +0000

Thanks everyone, for your good wishes and optimism — it really helps!

Graphic Granola — we are in the testing phase of our reservation software, and will launch it as soon as possible. We won’t take money for reservations, but you’re right — it can serve as an excellent proof of concept.

Lauren — we are actively discussing something along those lines.

There’s a significant restraint we have to work within: We can’t tie anything to an investment. SEC rules say we can’t advertise. I can say “Lauren, will you invest?” and “Lauren, do you know anyone who might want to invest?” but I can’t publicly offer equity for any kind of deal.

That said, we can offer time/future food/our eternal gratitude for $X.

Lisa — the landlord is working with us to help. Unfortunately, they’re not interested in equity.

Everyone — please keep your ideas coming! We’re all ears!