By Rachel Phillips
With the rise of the internet, telecommuting and freelancing is more abundant than ever.
Some of these individuals may be content working from home. But one local woman realized the need for an alternative workplace for work-from-home entrepreneurs and professionals in the area.
WorkSmart Network, at 3 Warren St. in Glens Falls, is the coworking facility she developed.
Coworking refers to a situation in which people working for different entities share a workspace. According to WorkSmart’s founder, Christy H. Alexander, “coworking thrives in many forms today, and it continues to take on new meanings as it grows. But the foundation centers on community, openness, collaboration, accessibility, and sustainability. Coworking reflects our changing relationship with work and how we share with one another.”
Alexander was inspired to start her business when, after having worked from home for a period of time, she was unable to find a proper place to hold professional meetings. She found that working from home can elicit a feeling of disconnectedness and can hinder motivation. Rather than occupying a table at a coffee shop for lengthy periods of time, she decided to create her own coworking space.
Alexander said WorkSmart Network has already been scheduling events and accepting membership applications. The facility will be able to host more than 40 people, and will be a fully furnished workspace, with a kitchen, conference and meeting space and secure storage space. The company will also provide coffee and tea, as well as print, copy and fax machines and high-speed internet.
WorkSmart will offer monthly memberships. The facility has options for less-frequent users, day passes and night and weekend plans.
The space could also be used by community groups and nonprofits to host fundraisers and meetings.
“WorkSmart offers a neutral space for local corporations to conduct special projects or brainstorming sessions. WorkSmart can potentially become a modern community center,” said Alexander.
Down the road, as her membership grows, Alexander hopes to move to a larger facility. Ultimately, she believes WorkSmart Network can help the community as a whole.
“Attracting and providing support for new, diverse, location-neutral (and higher salary) businesses is a key component to creating economic stability that complements our existing tourism market,” said Alexander. “One of the challenges faced in our region is the ability to establish a sustainable rural economy that is not heavily impacted by the seasonality and lower wage jobs associated with the tourism industry. The energy associated with coworking carries an air of innovation, excitement and hope which is contagious and can invigorate the region’s business community.”
For more information about WorkSmart Network, call 518-480-7849 or email info@worksmartGF.com.