Beehive Baltimore, a nine-month old community for freelancers and entrepreneurs, is moving into larger digs at Canton's Emerging Technology Center June 1. At 1,700 square feet, the new spot at 2400 Boston St. is 50 percent larger than the old office. The new space gives the Beehive the capacity to accommodate up to 31 people a day.
"I had my eye on it from the beginning," says Dave Troy, the facility's administrator. But the space only became available mid-April.
Beehive's popularity is part of a larger movement known as coworking, or the idea that independent professionals work better together than alone in their basements. The concept of coworking is gaining popularity in many cities around the world, according to Troy. "So many people who are freelancers are working from home," he says.
Starting a business and working from home can be isolating and makes it difficult for folks to keep up to date on best practices. It's also tough to hold meetings. Having a central facility for freelancers and entrepreneurs makes it easier to team up with the right people, Troy says.
Take the Beatles, for instance. The band's magic came from having the right combination of talented musicians in a shared space. Similarly, the best business ideas get unleashed with you have the right blend of people bouncing ideas off one another, Troy says.
Some freelancers work in a caf�, but in that space people don't get to interact. "In this environment, you have the opportunity to get to know each other over time," Troy says. "In a caf�, everyone is trying ot to leave each other alone."
A Beehive membership runs $175 a month to work three days per week and $275 per month for daily access. Members can also purchase a day pass for $25.
Beehive Baltimore holds about 75 people in its membership database and gets about eight to 10 freelancers each day. The current space allows for a maximum of 15 people a day.
Readmore from our coverage of
Canton!
Source: Dave Troy, Beehive Baltimore
Writer: Julekha Dash