The Factory shifts gears following move

It was only a move from the third floor to the fourth floor, but it has made all the difference in the world.

The Factory, a West Michigan co-working space, is buzzing with activity since upstairs migration to a larger space this January.

According to Aaron Schaap, founder, the much larger space has energized "the community" of co-workers. "With the move to the fourth floor people started to realize the potential of co-working. It was hard to visualize when it was small, but it allowed us to spread out and collaborate more."

With membership exceeding 50 individuals, a professional board of directors and a two-person staff responsible for day-to-day activities and membership services, The Factory is becoming the "epicenter" of new business development and creativity, says Schaap.

Schaap adds the demographics of the co-working space is changing, too, with more acceptance of this style of workspace and larger organizations seeing the opportunity to use the space as a location for their staff to get away from the corporate office. "Originally it was a lot of tech people, but now we [have] print and web designers, entrepreneurs and people who own big companies and need to get away. There is so much more energy here."

Schaap is already working on what "The Factory 3.0" will look like. "We want to help ideas start up and grow, whether it is a new startup or something coming out of larger organizations. At our core, we will be the spot to grow their ideas."

To learn more about the membership options at The Factory, you can visit their site here.

Source: Aaron Schaap, The Factory
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Job News Editor