Revelstoke Coworking business networking space opens

Revelstoke Coworking is going public. The shared office coworking space is welcoming new members to their downtown location at Second and Mackenzie, right across from Revelstoke City Hall.

What is Revelstoke Coworking? It’s a newly renovated shared workspace modeled on other successful coworking spaces that are popping up all over the world. Members rent offices or share public tables and take advantage of extra low rent costs.

Revelstoke entrepreneur Jean-Marc LaFlamme is a key organizer behind the new space. He explains its a hybrid of shared office space and networking centre.

[It’s] an offline social network of professionals representing the fabric of Revelstoke mixing with visiting professionals for business and community development initiatives,” LaFlamme explained. “Creating new opportunities in Revelstoke is a team effort and we serve a demographic of small organizations who would like to foster growth using the principles of the ‘collaborative economy.’”

The Revelstoke Coworking meeting room overlooks the heart of downtown Revelstoke at the intersection of Mackenzie Avenue and Second Street. Photo: Keri Knapp/Revelstoke Coworking

Private offices overlook the main working space. Photo: Keri Knapp/Revelstoke Coworking

The open office area features works by Revelstoke artists. Photo: Keri Knapp/Revelstoke Coworking

Members include entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers, non-profits and students who work in small offices or an open area. Current Revelstoke Coworking members work in fields including planning, construction design, marketing, media, environmental consulting, programming, IT and the non-profit sector. (Disclosure: the Revelstoke Mountaineer is that media organization!)

“It’s creating a movement behind these small business owners who are otherwise sitting at home and not feeling the strength of a team,” LaFlamme said. “It’s created a lot of new excitement around small business and entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers.”

Affordability for members is key. Office spaces start for as low as $100, and common space desks start at $50 per month. The key to low prices is sweat equity created by current members; they spent hundreds of hours over the Christmas holiday completely renovating the downtown office space. New flooring, newly refreshed natural wood beams, modern-look light paint and luxurious live-edge tables from local mill Take to Heart give the open-concept room a contemporary look and open feel.

The space is available to visiting professionals and can be rented for private events and corporate retreats. For example, the space has been rented out for evening avalanche training courses. Members can book a room for meetings or teleconferences, and the space is wifi ready with future plans for a superfast Internet connection.

Networking is key to the shared space. So many Revelstoke professionals work at home, without a place to socialize, meet or host clients. With flexible options and temporary spaces, Revelstoke Coworking hopes to provide an alternative for home-based workers.

Creating a not-for-profit framework for the space was key, the organizers state: “We believe in developing a strong community and through the establishment of our non-profit we have partnered with local organizations. Our long term objectives include continuing to lead with the participation and development of priority community initiatives.”

To connect with Revelstoke Coworking, see the website at http://revelstoke.com/coworking/