Nashville Technology Council: Spotlight on E|SPACES, INC.
How long have you been in business in Nashville?
E|SPACES opened its doors July 6, 2010. The concept has been incubating for approximately four years. Phil Gibbs, Josh Bowling, and David Gibbs are the founders of the company. The original concept came out of research into telecommuting and the concept of telework centers, as well as observing people working in places like Starbucks, Frothy Monkey, and Panera Bread. The incubation evolved into concrete steps starting with the signing of a lease with the HG Hill Realty Company in December of 2009, for a great space in the new Hill Center Belle Meade.
What does your company or organization do best?
E|SPACES is the next concept office and meeting space for people who work out of their homes, cars, hotels, and coffee shops. It combines the warm, open and inviting environment of a coffee shop with the functionality of an office—a business address and phone number, high speed wireless internet, printers and copiers, and video conferencing, along with conference rooms for meetings. We will even scan your mail so you can access it anywhere, anytime—especially helpful while traveling. There is no lease. You purchase a membership for the time you need, from two days a month up to twenty days, for a price significantly below the cost of a traditional office. It redefines the office for today’s generation of mobile, connected professionals.
What is one interesting fact about your company?
We see ourselves as Post VirtualSM. Most people interpret or see the advances in technology and communication as leading to a virtual world. Applications like Facebook and Linkedin are attempts to build relationships in that virtual world. However, we believe that a “place” still has an important role in business and the professions. As far as we know, there is no other place in the Nashville community open to entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses on a shared basis that features this type of environment with this level of amenities.
What new technology product or service are you the most excited about?
The first technology that is exciting to us is our ability to maximize cloud based applications in order to build our business infrastructure. As a result we will be able to scale our business to multiple locations very efficiently and simplify daily operations.
Secondly, we are excited about the iPad and the opportunities that it provides us to engage with the E|SPACES community. For example, we are using the iPad in the reception area to capture guest information as well as to manage the scheduling of meeting rooms. Last but not least is the use of social media in building the business. Through disciplined blogging and microblogging we were being found even before our doors opened.
Who is the most interesting person you have ever met?
We would have said the thirteen members of the E|SPACES member council; however we recently met Kira Bielfield. If you need music she plays Bass in the Nashville Philharmonic. If you need a SWOT analysis she has an Owen MBA. If you need a class on building stakeholder relationships she’s an adjunct professor at Belmont’s College of Business. And if you’re a member at E|SPACES—she’s your friendly concierge.
