Garden Valley Technologies (GVT) has ventured into the coworking space arena with their innovative Spark Hub. This move aims to provide more opportunities for the local community in northern Minnesota, filling a void in their service area and adapting to the new normal of remote work.
Christina Derby is the Marketing and Graphic Design Supervisor at GVT. She explains the inspiration behind Spark Hub.
"There was a lack of opportunity available in our territory. We had a smaller retail store location in Thief River, which became an opportunity to remodel an existing building, and from there, conversations began."
Derby notes that the pandemic played a significant role in shaping the creation of the coworking space. "With COVID, more people were working from home and wanted opportunities to still have a work environment."
Alexis Dennis, the community manager at Spark Hub, sheds light on why people are flocking to this space. "A lot of it is for the conference and meeting rooms. Many don't have their own space. For example, a company that does rental properties uses it for meetings since they don't have their own office location."
The coworking space offers a practical solution for many local businesses and freelancers who need a professional environment to conduct their activities.
Derby admits that promotion for Spark Hub has been minimal so far. "We'll start doing more marketing, but for now, it’s pretty much been word of mouth that works best.”
Dennis adds that local partnerships have also helped in spreading the word. "We have a member who does a lot of promotion for us when she has people come into the space for meetings. That's been helpful. We hosted an entrepreneur group, and that gave us some exposure, too."
Dennis enjoys her role at Spark Hub, where she interacts with members daily. "I like it a lot. You get to meet people, and everybody has different perspectives. I really like it and learn a lot."
She sees firsthand the value of networking within the space. "A lot of it is about getting to know people and how they can network together. Another of our members knows pretty much everyone in town, so she's great for networking. She's helped people reach out to others, and it's been fun watching the networking that happens."
The local Chamber of Commerce plays a crucial role in the coworking ecosystem. Derby explains the evolving relationship. "Our Thief River chamber recently went through a change of hands, so they're getting re-situated. They have their own space and are just trying to get everything in order."
This partnership is essential for Spark Hub, as chambers often serve as key resources for local businesses, providing support and networking opportunities.
As a tech company, GVT leverages its strengths to enhance the coworking experience at Spark Hub. "We provide fiber internet within the space. Everyone who uses the space has that connection," says Derby.
GVT's high-speed internet is a significant draw for remote workers and businesses needing reliable connectivity. And the team’s IT department is always on call to help members with various technology needs.” They've assisted in finding suitable computer equipment tailored to member's business needs and troubleshooting any Zoom or conference call issues that have emerged,” noted Dennis.
Derby was involved in selecting Coworks as the coworking software platform, which has been crucial for managing the space. "Our IT team researched different venues and applications. I sat in on meetings and trainings during the selection process."
Dennis finds the software very user-friendly. "I really like it. The chat feature is very helpful. I can easily message support when I need it."
The software also benefits the members. "Our members value the flexibility to arrange conference room bookings at their convenience. With Kisi, they can unlock the building and create guest codes, enabling their guests to enter independently, allowing pre-meeting interactions without the need to personally open the door," adds Dennis.
Day-to-day operations at Spark Hub are minimal, allowing Lexi to focus on member engagement and networking. This efficiency helps ensure the space runs smoothly and members can focus on their work.
Derby highlights that GVT uses the same coworking software to manage other spaces, such as their Erskine location. "In our Erskine location, it's not member-based; anyone can reserve those spaces. We use Coworks for the booking system. It's been a huge time saver for our internal staff, handling billing and scheduling."
This dual approach — focused on meeting spaces in one location and open coworking in another — allows GVT to cater to different needs within their community.
As Spark Hub continues to grow, both Derby and Dennis are excited about the future. Derby emphasizes the importance of being present in the community and offering valuable services. "It's just another way for us to give back. It's not necessarily about making money."
Dennis is eager to see more networking and collaboration within the space. "It's been fun watching the networking that happens. I'm looking forward to seeing more of that."
With plans to ramp up marketing and host more events, Spark Hub is poised to become a central hub for innovation and community in northern Minnesota. The dedication of Derby, Dennis, and the rest of the GVT team ensures that this coworking space will continue to thrive and serve its members well.
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