LOOM Coworking Presentation to Fort Mill SC Economic Council on Jan 29th, 2016

1. Jennifer Blanchard Belk, MAE, IIDA, LEED AP
Director and Programming Coordinator
LOOM Coworking
Goals of Presentation:
• Introduction to concept of Coworking
• Understand work trends and resident needs
• Describe target members and their benefits
• Highlight the vision for the space and services
• Recognize LOOM’s alignment with FMEC goals
• Describe financial and marketing efforts
• Gain sponsorships, partners and champions for
start-up and on-going support and success

2. The Concept:
LOOM Coworking will be an environment
created to facilitate a new level of
collaboration and professional growth within
Fort Mill and all of York County. The goal is
not only to provide a space for innovation
enhancing interactions, but to bring together
all types of independent workers into an
accessible, inspiring, enjoyable and
sustainable community.
The Title:
As a tribute to our area steeped in textile
history, this Coworking community, called
LOOM, represents a contemporary take on a
traditional art form and an effort to weave
together the talents in Fort Mill. The
community will be a more family-oriented
culture that values work/life balance,
providing development activities, scheduling
and accessibility conducive to that lifestyle.

3. Rock Hill and Knowledge Park have the Technology Incubator and the student
run Hive. Both successful but very niche organizations with a more limited industry
and demographic reach than what is needed in Fort Mill. What Fort Mill needs is
something agile, expedient and responsive to resident needs such as a grass
roots effort by the citizens themselves. Huge initiatives often ignore the people and
character of the town. Townspeople often feel little need to take personal initiative
or give support for activities that may be done FOR them but are not done WITH
them. Small business people, entrepreneurs and freelancers need empowerment.
We need innovative citizens to take ownership and to become engaged in the
overall success of Fort Mill and LOOM Coworking will be a conduit and catalyst
towards revitalization.
LOOM will be formed using these principles:
Community and Collaboration
Openness and Flexibility
Creativity and Culture
Localism and Sustainability
Accessibility and Diversity
Facts about Coworking worldwide - There are 7,800 spaces worldwide (from only
1,130 in 2011) with over 500k members (from 43k in 2011). 79% of these expect a
strongly increasing or increasing member count in coming year (GCS 2015-2016).

4. (so… nobody likes to admit they use Wikipedia, but we all know you do!)
“Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared working
environment and independent activity. Unlike in a typical office, those
coworking are usually not employed by the same organization. Typically
it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors,
or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation.
Coworking is also the social gathering of a group of people who are still
working independently, but who share values, and who are interested in
the synergy that can happen from working with people who value
working in the same place alongside each other. Coworking offers a
solution to the problem of isolation that many freelancers experience
while working at home, while at the same time letting them escape the
distractions of home.”
We know that working alone is a drag.
We know a lot of folks miss the energy
and enrichment of an environment of
coworkers. We know the distractions of
running your business from your dining
room or from Starbucks. Let's pool our
collective talents to create a community
that makes you WANT to go to WORK
and then LEAVE it there and go HOME!

5. In a brief on-line discussion, when asked their opinions about
working from home, some residents said (in order of
prevalence):
What I love about having a flexible work location:
• Being home with/for my kids when they need me
• Being able to work for myself when I want, how I want
• Being at home if there's a repair needed, take care of pets, run an errand
Why working at home doesn’t work for me:
• NEVER being able to leave work. Having work always close enough to tempt
me into spending late hours at my desk
• Unprofessional interruptions while trying to conduct business (flushing toilets,
dogs barking, babies crying)
• I feel way more productive in focusing on my work when I'm in an office. I'll
often procrastinate on work-related tasks at home
• Constant exposure to kids when home on summer break
• Internet hiccups
• Computer printers that aren't worthless consumer models
• Spouses or child-care workers whose interactions are distractions
What I miss about being in an office:
• Social or networking opportunities, from chatting with coworkers or other team
members to happy hours, impromptu lunches, etc.
• Professional and adult interaction
• The energy of an office being away from my house
• A routine
• Getting dressed up for work
What I don’t miss about being in a traditional office:
• Losing time commuting
• Mileage and parking costs

6. Mission and Vision
• To create a co-working community that encourages professional growth and success, networking, idea
sharing, and talent development, while serving as a resource to members and beyond.
• To have an active, creative and sustainable community of mobile workers, consultants, freelance artists,
entrepreneurs, and small businesses, working in a shared environment for the purposes of collaboration,
innovation and productivity for themselves and the greater York County community.
• To bring together a range of creative, technical, academic, for profit and non-profit businesses, creating new
possibilities for synergies and partnerships.
• To keep money in York County, harness the assets of local academic institutions, encourage work/life
balance and empower community members in order to support the continued economic success of the area.

7. No longer the
mill town …
The industry
data that SC
and York
County use is
skewed
because it is
collected from
employers, not
from the
residents
themselves.
Fort Mill’s
future
economic
growth will be
concentrated in
the
professional
and business
services sector.
This area
accounts for
the majority of
entrepreneurial
endeavors. Fact: York County has a consistently higher rate of entrepreneurs (since 2006) than
SC overall

8. Uptown Charlotte has a wide range of very successful coworking communities
… Why don’t we? ….. We certainly need it!
South Carolina 2013 Labor profile:
• 50% population growth by 2018 since 2000
• 39,434 Live and Work in York County
• 32,708 Commute Into York County
• 47,760 Commute Out of County
US Department of Employment and Workforce says in 2015,
it is now only 25% incoming compared to 40% outgoing
Workforce analysis study performed by professors at Winthrop University states the
number of outgoing commuters from York County has risen to 51,660, with the great
majority of knowledge workers stating they would prefer to work locally.
NC Sate University Institute for Emerging Issues… “Coworking in North Carolina” addendum
North Carolina has a burgeoning coworking market, responding to the demand from entrepreneurs,
creatives and telecommuters to operate in a space conducive to success. As it becomes harder to find a
job, more and more Gen Zers are turning to their own ideas and goals as a source of employment.
However, working alone out of the house does not provide collaborative interaction. Coworking addresses
this issue by providing connectivity and an environment to encourage emerging enterprises.
We have identified several emerging trends that will contribute to an increase in the number of coworking
spaces in the future … Self employment will have a growing market share along with the need for flexible
and alternative workspaces. Fewer members of Generation Z want to work Monday-Friday, 9 to 5 p.m. in
the same office. They would much rather prefer to choose when, where and how they work, being judged
solely on the basis of the work rather than time spent at a desk. Employers will need to retain talent
through different work arrangements.

9. Why does Fort Mill’s work force need Coworking?
• Increasing number of at-home (or coffee shop)
workers in York County and especially Baxter area.
• The increase of congestion and construction along I-
77 will likely prompt more flexible workers to forego
the commute and seek alternate arrangements.
• Residents love the flexibility and time saved in
commute but not reaching full personal and
professional potential because of separation from
workplace and isolation.
But…..
• There are not many productive choices in the area for
mobile or home-based workers. Crowded coffee
shops lack optional privacy and layout space, have wi-
fi glitches, and are ineffective for certain types of work
or meetings.
• No similar entities in York, Lancaster or Chester
counties
• Local option is Regus, which has no community,
events, or rich amenities.
• Closest similar organizations are in or near Uptown
Charlotte (30-45 min typical commute).
Luckily …… The
owner, staff and
founding members
are already heavily
involved with local
high ed institutions
and in the neighboring
communities, socially,
professionally and
philanthropically.

10. The benefits of LOOM to the people of Fort Mill:
 A community lounge of sorts, the open office area will replace the need for staking
out a loud and crowded table at a coffee shop …. for about the price of a daily
large latte and bagel!
 The staff will work to bring educational, social and networking opportunities to the
members, making staying professionally current and involved less of a chore.
 Organic and unintentional collisions within the space will give birth to industry and
community collaborations. More local contacts equal more local contracts!

11. The benefits of LOOM to the town of Fort Mill:
 The multipurpose environment will serve as an ever changing art gallery,
increasing local’s exposure to the range of art and design talent available.
 Flexible meeting/event space will be available to local civic and networking groups.
 Housing a broad range of talent, it will be a conduit for intern and mentor pairings
for local universities.
 The flexible meeting and event space will be available to local civic, art and
networking groups
 Just as the service businesses of Baxter bring daytime visitors to the restaurants
and venues on Market Street, downtown Fort Mill will benefit from the increase in
foot traffic from coworkers and their clients and members who are invested in the
success of the development. This engagement leads to lower resident turnover,
increased engagement in community efforts, greater economic benefits, and lower
crime rates.

12. Who is the target customer / member?
Many coworking communities focus on a particular sector or industry. LOOM will be open to
all those in need, however coworking communities tend to naturally be populated with those
in the technology and creative classes, as well as trainers and professional service providers.
Across the nation, approximately half of all coworkers are actually company employees,
rather than freelancer, independent consultants or entrepreneurs, opening up the window of
possibilities for our membership.
Members will be professionals from the Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Tega Cay & South Charlotte
areas. Focus will be providing a more productive and collaborative option for the local:
Entrepreneur
Creative
Writer/Blogger
Freelancer
Consultant
Contract worker
Mobile worker
Flex worker
Sales rep
Grad student
Non-profit
Fun Fact: Statistics show (GCUC 2015) that the average age of a coworker is 39 (median age
for York County is 37.6; Fort Mill 38.5). However, the highest growth is in members over 50!

13. Kathy is full time author who could work anywhere but needs to focus and have
the structure and routine of going to the office.…. An unlimited “Dedicated”
membership is a great solution for her!
* Includes full access Mon‐Sat with dedicated workstation plus all amenities
D

14. Ben is a hard‐working entrepreneur who enjoys the freedom of being able to work
anywhere but need the respect and amenities that an office bring, the peace of
mind that comes with secure wi‐fi, and high impact internet for his videos and
graphics …. An unlimited “Hotdesk” membership is a great solution for him!
* Includes full access Mon‐Sat throughout flex space plus amenities
H

15. Becky is a working mom who wants more work/life balance. She typically
works about 3 days a week because she likes having the rest of the week
for errands and volunteering at her child’s school …. A “12 pack”
membership is a great solution for her!
* Includes access 12 days per month, Mon‐Fri throughout flex space plus amenities
12

16. Bill is a sales rep who might
be on the road a few days a
week or a couple of weeks a
month. When he IS in town,
he needs a location to have
meetings, get some heads‐
down work done, and catch
up with his local network ….
An “8 pack” membership is a
great solution for him!
* Includes access 8 days per
month, Mon‐Fri throughout flex
space plus all amenities
8

17. Sal is a local business
man enjoys sharing
his knowledge and
products with the
community, hosting
arts events, knowing
what is going on with
local companies, and
supporting
entrepreneurs and
local talent…. A
“Supporter”
membership is a great
solution for him!
* Includes discounted
day passes, access to
online network,
invitations to events,
and access to special
events and conference
room space rentals
S

18. Jim is a local business
man is usually on the
go but often needs an
impressive space to
host meetings and the
technology and
amenities to help him
look more established
…. A “Virtual”
membership is a great
solution for him!
* Includes discounted
day passes, access to
online network,
invitations to events,
and access to special
events and conference
room space rentals as
well as mailbox services.
V

19. Spaces and amenities
• Flexible and dedicated zones which give
choices for collaboration or heads-down time.
• Award winning, ergonomic and contemporary
furnishings.
• Open Kitchen/Bar/Break space with free
coffee and tea
• Lounge/library space filled with business
magazines and inspiring/helpful texts
• Meeting/conference rooms
• Private “phone booths” for personal calls
• Personal storage space for full-time
members
• Art gallery highlighting local and student
artists
• Event space for community, educational and
arts events
• Fun display space including member wall,
comment boards, chalkboard
announcements
• Bike storage and showers
• Free parking
• Outdoor space for work and play

20. Technology
• Reliable and secure internet access
• Video conferencing
• AV equipment for checkout
• Networked printer/copier
• Online networking platform
Services
• Reputable business address for members*
• Intern/Mentor matching service with local higher ed institutions and FMSD
• Facilitating help from York County small business Development entities

21. Intangibles and Other Perks
• Continuing education opportunities based on member interests
• In-house and out-reaching networking events
• Discounts at downtown restaurants and retailers
• Local area services and assistance being brought to you
• Group philanthropic opportunities and community support
• Opportunities for inspiration, collaboration, and expert advice
• Gallery and rentable space will be an asset to the community!

22. Our vision for the space
• Client Friendly and Inviting Environment
• Constantly evolving and able to be utilized by the occupants in a way that makes them feel a
sense of ownership
• A range of work environments that allow workers to choose what is most productive for them
at that moment
• Furnishings that create collaboration opportunities and enhance comfort and engagement
• Graphics, art, and visual information that inspires (art shown by WU art student, Lillian Peel)
• Natural light and a well utilized connection to the outdoors

23. LOOM is proud to be partnering with major commercial
furniture dealership, AlfredWilliams, who will provide
interior furnishings and architectural solutions from
Herman Miller and DIRTT. This partnership will reduce
start-up costs, ensure a well-appointed environment and
provide a wealth of educational opportunities for members.
The local dealership will rotate content frequently, which
will add another dynamic aspect to the community.
AlfredWilliams has been serving customers in the
Carolinas and providing quality classic furnishings for 150
years. We are excited about working with them on this hip
and fun new space!

24. Folks want to LIVE, WORK, PLAY and STAY … HERE!!!
• People of Fort Mill are affluent with higher median and average incomes than
the county, state and national data. They have higher educational levels than the
county and state.
• Residents want to invest in Fort Mill. This leads to lower resident turnout,
increased engagement and community efforts, greater economic benefits, and
low crime rates.
• Fort Mill parents recognize their place in improving the world for their children.
They value family time and dislike wasting that time in traffic.
• Fort Mill residents appreciate a higher quality of life. They enjoy creating a sense
of place and see the increased community density as a way of connecting with
others.
• Fort Mill has a heightened sense of community and neighborly support as a
founding value. People encourage, show loyalty and are patrons of local
businesses.

25. Meet Joshua James –
LOOM’s first member and #1 champion
His company, Listing Tour, creates custom real estate
video tours to market properties on MLS. He also
creates narrative films, product tutorials, web design,
company re-branding, photography and more.
Josh enjoys volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse and
being active in church. His is passionate about Arts and
Culture, Civil Rights and Social Action, Education and
the Environment.
This recent masters degree graduate has traveled the
world but recently decided to put down roots in Fort Mill.
An outdoorsy guy, he loves the fact that he can ride his
bike from his home on Steele St. to the post office and
Elijah Park. He has become a member of the Greenway
and he plans to join the local gym on Main St.
Josh loves hanging out at Hobo’s for some live music
or trivia with long time Fort Mill residents and younger
folks from the new apartments. Shopping local is
important to him as is getting involved, which is why he
makes it a point to attend Chamber meetings, BNI
events and First Fridays!
…. THIS is the type of new, innovative and
engaged downtown resident we want,
AND NEED, to attract!

26. LOOM’s Alignment with Community Goals:
It is well documented that coworking communities locating in downtown areas
supports and encourages revitalization. LOOM’s goals and benefits align with
strategies and recommendations of the Catawba Region Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy, Fort Mill’s 2012 Comprehensive Plan, the Fort
Mill Economic Council PID plan, and the Knowledge Park initiatives.
Research done by similar communities such as the Old Town Jobs Initiative in
Rock Hill specifically recommends the formation of a coworking community
towards economic revitalization.
FM Comprehensive Plan of 2012 points of interest:
‐ Mixed Use (attract residential)
‐ Service industries (40%)
‐ Create a sustainable economy w/ less reliance
on surrounding counties
‐ FM lacks arts and community facilities
‐ Want to bring people downtown
‐ To be walkable and bikeable
‐ Marketing to small businesses
‐ Civic and educational events

27. LOOM’s Alignment with Community Goals:
FM Priority Investment District
• Invites all needed parties to get involved and become part of something "big“.
• Compliments the overall FMEC effort with the PID Mission Statement to "Plan, promote, preserve and
enhance opportunities for a vibrant, more prosperous [downtown district]"
• Increase Tax Base; Create Jobs; Stimulate the Local Economy
• Community Image / Needs Balance; Private Sector Capital Investment
• Historic Rehabilitation; Community Revitalization
• bring all entities (citizens, business owners, property owners,
FM Town Council) together and to paint a vision of the future
and get all energies pointed in the same direction
• businesses to invest with services that Fort Mill needs.
• true partnership between the private and public sectors
• significant historic commercial structures and homes that
• contribute to the character of Fort Mill are found in and adjacent to Node 5.
• attract residents to downtown; civic and institutional uses will continue to attract residents.
• Financial; Marketing Plan; Historic Preservation Plan; Economic Incentive Plan; Implementation
• Targeted marketing to organizations and/or individuals looking for long term investment opportunities
• Inclusive activities that support investors and the community
• Creating a clear identity around the PID that citizens and investors will remember and identify with (we
can be part of that!)
• Liaison for small/local businesses; Business mentor program; Lunch and learn
• Planning & Heritage Education; SHPO & NPS facilitates funding, technical assistance & training; Future
Growth & encourage economic development; Protecting historic community resources
• Expanding, or re-locating businesses to invest and prosper in the newly created Priority Investment
District, Private Investors, the Fort Mill Economic Council, and the Town of Fort Mill will provide
eligible participants a variety of innovative grants and incentives to create new jobs, provide
diverse high quality housing options, business opportunities and infrastructure while preserving
our rich architectural history

28. LOOM’s Alignment with Community Goals:
Catawba Regional Economic Development Strategies 2014
• The need to economically revitalize local downtowns and
center city areas that have languished due to the advent of
suburban shopping malls and business parks on the community
fringe.
• Assisting in the financing of new businesses and the retention and expansion of existing
businesses
• Supporting local planning and economic development programs through technical assistance, and work
with local Planning staff to update zoning and similar codes to reflect the latest innovative and creative
design concepts such as encouraging the Page 14 development of a mix of employment and residential
uses (office, research, light industrial, limited commercial and high density residential) at appropriate
locations or urban villages which would encourage the development of compact mixed use, small-lot,
pedestrian-oriented communities
• Encouraging public/private sector partnerships in economic development efforts, such as the
creation of business incubators and the promotion of the region’s industrial clusters as a way of
attracting new business;
• Increase the cooperation between the area’s high schools, vocational centers, colleges and industries in
job training and workforce development to close any gaps and create a talent pipeline that will attract
and retain talented workers;
• Creating competitive strategies for responding to the impacts of technology and globalization on
the local economy, particularly to the loss of manufacturing jobs through increased collaboration
and communication between economic development partners;
• Assisting with increasing the quality of life in the region’s communities to attract and retain the
“creative class” of young workers through investments in higher and continuing education,
historic preservation, entertainment/arts/culture, sports/tourism and alternative transportation
options;
• FM SPECIFIC - Promote Main Street redevelopment and make improvements recommended in the
Downtown Historic District

29. LOOM’s Alignment with Community Goals:
Old Town Jobs Initiative:
• Leverage the technology resources of Comporium; Involve Springs Creative
• Stimulate entrepreneurial activity and the creation of locally-owned businesses
• Target businesses (marketing and graphic design, professional services, Information and
communications technology; banking)
• Lifestyle amenities
• Develop skills of the local workforce
• Organize private sector leaders
• Locally grown businesses are more engaged and committed
• Recommends establishing special programs/facilities for business growth such as incubators,
innovation centers
• Community-based collaboration; Need local sponsor, champions; Give efforts a community based
identity
• COWORKING SPACE SUGGESTED!!!

30. LOOM will generate revenue in many ways:
• Coworking memberships (and service add-ons)
• Additional meeting room reservations
• Event space rental
• Registration costs for workshops and classes
Cost Structure: Coworking membership fees will be based on a members estimated usage.
They are month-to-month commitments that can be adjusted to meet their changing needs
throughout a year. These can be purchased as:
• Unlimited use of “hot-desking” or flex space Mon-Fri 7am-7pm and Sat 9am-3pm.
• Unlimited use with a dedicated workspace and storage available Mon-Fri 7am-7pm and Sat
9am-3pm.
• 12 pack = 3 days per week / 12 days per month available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
• 8 pack = 2 days per week / 8 days per month available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
• Single day passes available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm at $20/day
• Supporter Members = $30 per month or $300 per year
• Virtual Members = $50 per month or $500 per year
Sources of capital needed to start coworking community?
• Upfront, prepaid memberships
• Director’s personal input
• Community and private sector sponsorships

31. Strategy and Implementation
Currently we are hosting monthly MeetUps to start a dialog within the greater York community.
We have recently published an online market survey. These MeetUps will increase and
become more member specific as we learn more about the social and professional
development needs of potential members. We regularly communicate via social media about
our creative inspiration, thoughts and links to articles that inspire us and expanding our network
with people who are interested in joining the LOOM community.
We are also doing outreach at Winthrop and York Tech, speaking to the business classes and
attending recruiting events in order to help students understand the breadth of their work
environment options and innovative workplace trends.
We will reach our target market by connecting with local entrepreneur and networking
groups, startups, and larger companies who are thinking about how to stay relevant in rapidly
changing markets. Through this process, we will identify, prior to opening, individuals who
understand our vision and are willing to become founding members of our coworking space.
Coworking space owners testify this is the most critical element to success.

32. The response so far has been great (as of 2/3/16)!
Facebook
• 129 likes (75% in FM area)
MeetUp
• 74 members from FM, CLT, RH, York, Wxw, Clover
• 2 large group meetings so far and multiple individual ones!
LinkedIn – 55 Followers (see right for demographics!)
Twitter – 34 Followers in one month
A survey we posted has 23 responses from people in:
Wedding and portrait photography Market research
Software / web development Insurance
Business intelligence manager Healthcare
Headhunter/recruiting Mobile UX design
Construction Management Banking
Trade compliance (import/export)
Building science/solar sales
Executive/Life/Business Coach
Systems Engineer in IT sales
Medical managed care
Business owner wholesale auto parts
Newspaper/website

33. You, your organization and your company can assist us by:
• Connecting with us on social media and sharing with other professionals.
• Considering ways that you could be involved as a showcased artist, guest
speaker, business mentor, etc.
• Offering discounts to our members for goods and services in the downtown area.
• Becoming a one time or on-going sponsor of educational, professional
development, social events and other community programming (food and drink
for events we will facilitate).
• Donating items towards the building upfit (items such as large and small
appliances, monitors, security system, etc.)
• Providing donations or sponsorships to relieve the community overhead costs
(such as the high cost of communications/internet services).
• Giving towards our scholarships for recent graduate/entrepreneur members.

34. Why should Fort Mill, the FMEC and local companies care?
Because the presence of LOOM and its resources will:
‐ Ease burden on and encourage start-ups
‐ Increase Downtown Redevelopment and be a marketable
attraction for new residents
‐ Bring the “creative class”, not just retail, into downtown
‐ Effect the net out-flow and reliance on Charlotte
‐ Give the FMEC Priority Investment District attention
‐ Encourage small mobile businesses, which tend to set up
shop where they begin
‐ Create community character and sense of place
‐ Increase diversity of demographics (age, race, gender) and
industry
‐ Create education, mentoring, cultural and arts opportunities
‐ Support previous initiatives of involved organizations

35. www.meetup.com/LOOM‐Fort‐Mill‐Coworking‐Meetup/
www.twitter.com/LOOMCoworking
www.facebook.com/LOOMCoworking/
www.linkedin.com/company/loom‐coworking
We want LOOM,
and the community of learners
and collaborators within,
to become part of the fabric of Fort Mill.