We're having an Open Day

Join us on 27 February for our very first Open Day. Check out our space, learn about coworking, user our WiFi, read our magazines, drink our coffee! Stay for 5 minutes or the whole day, we really don't mind. We just want to spread the word about coworking, meet some interesting people and figure out how we can best serve the independent working community. So grab your laptop, tell your friends and come say hello, it's totally Free!

Open from 9am - 5pm. Level 1, 21 Devon St W. New Plymouth.

See you there.
Graham & Jacqui

Introducing FreeAgent, "your business's new best friend"

Although we're just starting out on our journey we already recognise how hard it can be to run a small business, there's just so much to think about. You've got the fun stuff like planning, branding and creating and you've got the slightly less fun stuff like negotiating contracts and wrestling with finances. There's lots to juggle and it's tough! Do all this by yourself and it becomes even tougher. This is where coworking can really help. By working in a coworking environment you surround yourself with people who are at varying stages in their entrepreneurial journey, old hats, young hats and, well, hats just like yourself - experiencing the roller-coaster of highs and lows that come with running any business. 

At Manifold we've looked at all aspects of starting and running a business and we aim to support our members along their journey in creative and meaningful ways. We've chosen to align ourselves with partners who can add real value to our offering and so are super proud to introduce you to one of our first partners, FreeAgent.

FreeAgent is incredibly smart accounting software for small businesses, it takes care of probably the most important factor in the success of your business - your finances! We've been using FreeAgent for a while now and feel it has empowered us and made us more confident in our business capabilities.

As a member of Manifold you too can feel empowered by availing of our special offer of a 3 month free trail of FreeAgent and a full 10% discount on the product there after. This offer is unique to Manifold and is available on all our member plans. It's also the first of many exciting benefits to working from Manifold so stay tuned to our blog and facebook page, we'll be revealing all in the weeks to come.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank FreeAgent for their support and look forward to seeing how this product continues to develop and support small businesses over the coming years.

The fun stuff

We've been sourcing some great native timber for our boardroom table - a mix of Rimu, Matai and Totra. It should be lots of fun to make and with help of good friend and talented wood man Ross Sutton it's bound to be quite the eye catching piece of furniture. Ross works under the name BoLu and his work will soon be popping up in markets and fairs around the region. Keep an eye out, it's quality stuff!

Unfold

A recent blog post over at Creative Copilot confirmed to me that our plans for Manifold are definitely heading in the right direction. At Manifold we hope to offer multiple ways for coworkers to move around, change environment, collaborate with others or simply find a quiet corner to work by themselves. While not exactly abandoning the traditional desk and chair we do intend to set up several “breakout” areas for our users to move away from their desks and work in a more relaxed, informal manner. Couches, loungers, café seating, benches and even kitchen tables have all been considered to encourage collaboration, chance conversations and impromptu meetings.

Our chief “breakout” space (which may or may not be call “Unfold”) will be an area where coworkers gathering to lunch, have coffee, work and relax; a space where we hope ideas are born, shared and  developed. 

This fairly new approach to working and the work space has been adopted by the likes of Apple, Google, BBC and Airbnb to name just a few. And while Manifold’s solution wont be anything approaching that scale we do hope it will at least be an exciting alternative right here in New Plymouth.

An example of this kind of thing can be found here.

Trade(me) secrets

While having an office fit out by the likes of Mash Studios would be RAD we've chosen to take a more rootsy approach to our fit out. Manifold shared space will mostly be a combination of generous donations, trademe victories, antique dealer one offs and the odd op-shop find. And while we recognise not all office equipment should be sourced in this manner (desks, chairs and technology in particular) we've found it to be a most enjoyable pursuit. Our quest has taken us far and wide and we've learnt so much.
For example:

• One person's junk is... 
• A real auction room floor is no place for the meek or mildly indecisive
• Op-shops need frequenting as often as humanly possible
• Auto bids are no fun
• Never find yourself in a Trademe dual with lollipopin
• Friends and family are insanely giving and supportive when starting a business

Over the coming weeks we'll post some of our more unusual finds here or on Instagram so check back and let us know what you think.

Who Dares, Wins

Yesterday I arrived in San Francisco after a few days on the road with an old friend. I am on a short break in California while on my way to Ireland for a family wedding. When I return to New Zealand I hope Manifold will be well on the way to becoming a reality.  

Earlier this morning I checked my emails and saw the real estate agent had emailed with a copy of the lease for the Manifold space asking for my signature. Although I am committed to creating a coworking space for New Plymouth I am naturally a little nervous about the financial commitment. Signing this lease will make it all official, I will be locked in and there can be no turning back! 

After two strong coffees I signed the dotted line and drafted the email but the nerves took hold and prevented me from hitting send. My commitment was wavering - I needed some convincing. 

I decided to leave the hotel and look for a coworking space I had read about in the Lower Haight area called Makeshift Society. Their website describes the space as... 

"...a beautiful shared workspaces great for meeting clients, borrowing tools, books or expertise, or learning a new skill. Makeshift exists to make life easier for those who run their own business."

So as I sit on a mustard leather couch in this peaceful oasis surrounded by creatives and business owners busy at work softly tapping away to gentle background music I am feeling inspired. The space just feels great - (neon) art on the walls, bulging bookcases, funky office furniture and lots of quirky break-away spaces if sitting (or standing) at a desk is not your thing. One has to feel this is a far more productive, fun and social way to spend a working day than toiling away in solitude in a bedroom or at a kitchen table. I'm sold!

So once I wrap this post up I will open that email, take one last look at that neon sign above my head that reads "Who dares, wins" and hit send. It's going to be an incredibly hectic time when I get back to New Plymouth - fitting the space out and getting the word out before the opening date. There will be blood and tears and tired minds and bodies. It will be hectic but it will be fun! So please follow along here and on facebook as we craft this special space, we'll be updating regularly and as we get closer will be outlining our plans and benefits. Wish me luck.