Hummingbird604.com » The Network Hub

On having the right equipment and the right office environment

Raul — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:15:28 +0000

For the longest time I have been addicted to office spaces and office supplies. It must be the fact that my parents are lawyers. I was my Dad’s and my Mom’s office manager for the longest time when I was in my early teens. Yes, you read right. In my EARLY TEENS. For some reason, I’ve always loved doing things the earliest, the soonest, etc. I don’t know why.

It occurred to me this past week that one of the reasons why I feel that my productivity is stifled when I am working at home is the lack of appropriate office space. I’ve been blessed with having such a great environment at The Network Hub. As I’ve called it before, it’s my “home away from home“. For me, and for other entrepreneurs, it’s a launching pad from where our work skyrockets. And Minna and John have been fantastic. In particular, I’ve worked now more recently with Minna and with Christy (UrbanBella) and will be doing more projects with them in the very near future.

The setup of my office here at The Network Hub allows me to have a printer (the HP PhotoSmart that I am in the midst of reviewing) to my right and to my left, I have space to place the photos of my family, my to-do tray, and the stuff one needs usually (coffee mug, water bottle, pencil and pen box. I try really hard to keep everything very organized, but I’m not always extremely successful.

One thing I can tell you – having such a positive energy around me, so many entrepreneurs, and the infrastructure (including wireless, dining areas and meeting areas) that make my work day so comfortable is really a blessing.

Just a reflection after spending a lot of time at my office at The Network Hub, and particularly in light of the closure of WorkSpace – I do hope that the members will be able to get a new space soon I know that Dane has been working really hard to help their former members to secure new office spaces.

Reason # 421 why I love The Network Hub!

Raul — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:17:42 +0000

I have always received the strongest of supports from my friends at The Network Hub (especially from Minna and John Van). I am not shy in admitting that I *love* The Network Hub. Ever since I participated in my very first event here (a Third Tuesday for whom they very generously sponsored the space) I have been always welcome at The Hub. In December of 2008, I joined the awesome community of The Network Hub and I have had a fantastic time ever since. I am surrounded by great entrepreneurs and while we are all working, we always find a minute to chat about everything from technology to the latest restaurants we’ve been to.

The folks at The Network Hub have been some of my strongest supporters and I’m always delighted to sing their praises to anyone who can hear me (and well, if you follow me on Twitter or my blog, there’s A LOT of people who listen to what I say, for which I am ABSOLUTELY GRATEFUL). So you may ask yourself – why Reason # 421 you love The Network Hub, Raul? Well, earlier this past month, I found out that they had been interviewed on the most recent issue of Get Connected Magazine (look at pages 21-22). My good friend Minna explained the concept behind The Network Hub as a shared office space, and the reasons why TNH is MUCH more than *just* a bunch of entrepreneurs thrown together. Through the Vancouver Entrepreneur Meetup, their constant interaction with each one of the entrepreneurs who have their offices and desks here and a number of other collaborative opportunities, The Network Hub offers a launching pad from where emerging entrepreneurs can initiate activities within an incubator-like environment with like-minded individuals.

Kudos and congratulations to The Network Hub! And, on behalf of the many of my peers whom you’ve generously sponsored for space for their events (including WordCamp, Third Tuesdays, etc.) thank you, thank you, thank you!

My new home is at The Network Hub!

Raul — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:39:28 +0000

Remember how a few months ago I raved about The Network Hub and praised their open office concept, their strong support of young entrepreneurs and the awesome series of events that they’ve been host to? And remember how I called it “my home away from home“?

The Network Hub open office concept

Well, as of this week, my home IS at The Network Hub. I now have a working space in the third floor.

As indicated by their mission statements, they care more much about the idea than the entrepreneur’s age or resume.

The Network Hub was established 2006 after observations of first time entrepreneurs struggling to find fundings from angel investors and venture capital companies. The Network Hub is a special kind of venture capital firm and incubator that care more about your idea than your age, resume and your business plan. [The Network Hub]

The Network Hub has been incredibly kind and supportive with the social media/PR/tech community for a long while now. They’ve been our gracious hosts and location sponsors at numerous events: Third Tuesday with Joe Solomon, the RMD Studio/JenTekk Solutions/PeerGlobe Solutions/Tazzu-organized, first ever WordCamp Vancouver, and several other Third Tuesdays, as a matter of fact.

The Network Hub provides a variety of support services for entrepreneurs, including office space, meeting rooms, and a variety of packages that suit the various needs of different kinds of entrepreneurs.

Moreover, The Network Hub are the awesome hosts and location sponsors of the Vancouver Entrepreneur Meetup every third Thursday of the month, which Pete Quily (ADD Adult Coach) kindly made me realize earlier this month, collides with my proposed date for the Vancouver Bloggers Meetup. I’ll have to deal with that overlap sometime in the next few months! I am pretty sure that I can work something out, since I definitely don’t want to hinder the attendance of entrepreneurs to VBM and viceversa!

If you are an entrepreneur who needs to get your idea off the ground, you should seriously consider coming over and talking to Minna or John. Particularly now that they have expanded! The Network Hub now occupies both the first AND third floors of 422 Richards (between West Hastings and Pender). You can also contact them via email.

I can already tell that my productivity skyrocketed. Just as an example, in less than 2 hours that I was at the office yesterday, I did much more than I had done in the past two weeks! Furthermore, the tenants are great. It’s fantastic to be surrounded by that much brainpower and positive energy! And what can I tell you about Minna and John and the whole team at The Network Hub? They’re simply AMAZING.

So, if you’re in the neighbourhood (downtown Vancouver) maybe we can meet up for coffee or lunch sometime and I can also show you the new digs!