Coworking Space in Champaign Urbana (Illinois)

Written on 3:26:00 PM by S. Potter

Since I moved to Champaign-Urbana, IL (aka CU) in 2005 I have been looking for work space that would provide me with a more productive environment and social yet professional outlet to work in since I work primarily on telecommute contracts and lack face time with clients. Today I decided that I will setup a local coworking space for solo entrepreneurs and freelancers in and around the Champaign-Urbana area to fulfill my needs as a consultant and fulfill my new venture urge of late. Essentially coworking is defined as the following:

Coworking is a movement to create cafe-like community/collaboration spaces for developers, writers and independents.

This is exactly how I imagined my dream work space since I work a lot in coffee shops all around town throughout the work week and even during the weekend sometimes and find it surprisingly (initially) productive. I have seen these types of office spaces in larger metro areas and the terminology used tends to be different from place to place. Some terms used to mean a community of independent professionals sharing office space, facilities and amenities that I have come across on my travels include:

• Coworking or Co-working (obviously)
• Collaborative work environments (not used in the context of a company job description:))
• Work Space Cooperative (this might be organized at the top levels slightly differently though)
• Shared Work Space
• Serviced Office Space

There are probably some slight variants on the definitions of these as compared to that of coworking, so some places will have more structure and a more formal setting, whereas coworking itself strives to create a more creative and collaborative environment for independent professionals. If you are in the CU (East Central Illinois) area and would be interested in working in such a coworking space, please drop me a line at any of the following locations:

• twitter: @SusanPotter
• email: me at susanpotter dot net
• facebook: My Profile | Champaign-Urbana Coworking Group

Are you a freelancer or entrepreneur in another area or region that is part of a coworking environment experience there? What do you like about your coworking space and why? What would you change about it if you could?

Posted in coworking

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