A high tech office sharing concept opened up in downtown Everett early in March, with Mayor Ray Stephenson officiated at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Instant Office.
It’s a place where anyone can come in and use professional office amenities for a small daily or monthly fee.
Founded by mother-daughter team Lois Hofmann and Janene Deane, Instant Office has desks, dedicated phone lines, high speed Internet connections, fax service and all the other things you would expect to find in a corporate setting.
What makes it unique is that everyone there is working on his or her own individual business or project.
“Co-working has only been in the U.S. between 4-5 years,” Hofmann said.
Right now, Instant Office is the only co-working office space in Snohomish County. A unique feature to co-working is that active members also can use a Co-working Visa. This allows travelers to use co-working office facilities in other cities, for up to three days, at no additional charge. This is true whether it is in Milan, London or just down south in Seattle.
As with any real estate office, co-working facilities are only as good as their location. This is where Hofmann and Deane have it nailed. Instant Office is located within walking distance of the courthouse, financial district, and Everett Station. It’s right across the street from Comcast Arena and near to restaurants.
It is anticipated that Instant Office will especially be a hit with attorneys whose offices are out of town or are too far to be convenient to the courthouse.
They often have no place to go and end up sitting for hours at Starbucks,” Deane said.
Either using a day rate or on a Co-working Visa, attorneys and other professionals can now get a desk to spread out their papers, a comfortable chair and Internet and phone connections.
In addition, co-working clients also share a kitchen to heat up a lunch, relax with a sack meal or grab a free soda. They can even book the conference room for a private meeting.
But it isn’t just business professionals that are at Instant Office. It’s available to anyone whether they are an entrepreneur, a stay-at-home-mom that just started a business, a net-worker, a freelancer, or a consultant. Customers just bring a laptop and briefcase, plug in and are ready to go.
Hofmann and Deane offer one free trial day to anyone interested in trying co-working for the first time. Additionally, they have a “Two Weeks Free” special for anyone that has just lost their job or been laid-off.
The biggest issue we’ve seen with the downturn of the economy is that people are used to being in an office environment then they are stuck at home and don’t know what to do or where to go. This gives them the opportunity to start networking again,” Deane said.
Currently, Instant Office has just one floor of open airy workspace and desks along with a conference room, kitchen, bathroom and other office amenities. Future plans already include adding an additional work floor as resident membership grows.
For more information about Instant Office, stop by 2939 Broadway Avenue in Everett or go online at www.instantoffice.us.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
