The cafe at WorkSpace will be closed this Monday, July 2nd for the Canada Day holiday.  We'll be doing our part to celebrate the anniversary of the creation of the Dominion of Canada through the British North America Act.  Members are, of course, welcome to use the space over the holiday.  If you're planning to celebrate, have fun and be safe.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Am I Crazy: Chronicles of an Entrepreneur Part 6

YEEHAW…..I have a licensing deal with an established Chinese factory that pays an impressive 20% royalty, but first let me step back. I started this blog a few months ago with the question: Am I crazy? It was one of those days when I was questioning what the hell I was up to. I had been working on this new tool concept for 11 months which was to weave itself into a brand new category of hand tools and spawn a whole new industry (think Leatherman)…with my company riding the wave all the way to the top.

Yes, I had grand (attainable) aspirations, yet on that particular day I was over-run with the fact that people I wanted to work with weren’t returning my calls, My factory was getting increasingly difficult to communicate with. My working prototype was months behind schedule. I was running out of money.

12 artists of varying talents are paired together, shake hands and are given two weeks to weave their gifts into a unique collaborative performance piece.

The show is called Brief Encounters and I have been to the last two events...absolutely incredible and a must see for anyone looking for an eclectic evening of not knowing what to expect.

This years lineup includes a tabala player, a swordsman, a flamenco dancer, an actor and eight others.

A bunch of us are heading to the show on the 20th. Hope to see some of you WORKSPACERS there.

Two nights: June 19th and 20th,
The Anza Club (#3 West 8th).
Doors at 7:30, show at 8pm.

Tix $15 at the door, cash only.

After-show lounge with dj Jacob Cino.

info: [email protected]

One of our members, Florian Gabriel, recently began working with Go West RV Centre and he asked me to pass along their summer specials to WorkSpace members and friends.  These offers are open to the public but there are a limited number available and we're getting first crack at them.  Check out what Florian has to say below:

Have you always wanted to rent a Motorhome or an RV? Now is the time. Go West RV Rental and Sales Centre is offering a special price on selected one way rentals from Vancouver to Calgary or Calgary to Vancouver. Experience Canada from its most beautiful side and enjoy a few days in nature.

I've always wanted to try out the acoustics here. It is not only nice to work here, playing feels even better. I like it!

HBO aired the final episode of The Sopranos this week.  I've been a huge fan of this show since the second season.  I'm also a huge fan of Michael Bierut at Design Observer.

Check out Michael's post "Everything I Know About Design I Learned from The Sopranos."  While he is specifically targeting designers I believe most of his ideas apply to all creative professionals!

Hey everyone!  Some of you might have seen a new face around the space lately, which is me: Kevin Lionais!  I just moved to Vancouver a couple weeks ago and was fortunate enough to meet Dane and Bill about working here at the space.  I'm thrilled to be here and I'm eager to contribute as much as possible.  I met many of you already and I hope to meet the rest of the WorkSpace community soon!

I have a background in marketing and photography.  My ultimate goal is to combine the two but I still haven't found the perfect formula.  If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them!

Am I Crazy: Chronicles of an Entrepreneur Part 5

There is more than one way to skin a cat...who the hell came up with that saying anyway...what kind of sicko...and then there's us, the other sickos that toss around the cliche without a second thought. Well, the point being, there is more than one way to go into business and more than one thing to consider. Until recently I have been focusing on "The Deal"...a licensing deal. But when I open the spread sheet and study the numbers, the margins are much stronger if I go into business on my own...that is, if I manage my own marketing, sales and distribution from here.

For example, in terms of a licensing deal, I (OpusCreo) stand to make 15% to 20%...but let's say 15% worse case scenario. On sales of $1 million dollars that is $150,000 earned royalties.

Team WorkSpace got a little smaller last night as we bid farewell to Kristin over dinner at Jules.  Next week she will be leaving town for Calgary where she plans to spend the summer working and enjoying life with friends.

Kristin joined the team back in September 2006, only a month after we opened, and her involvement in the development of WorkSpace has been critical to our success so far.  In addition to her energetic contribution to daily operations she also developed many of materials and processes we are currently using.  Attention potential Calgary employers: hire this young lady.  You won't be sorry.

Am I Crazy: Chronicles of an Entrepreneur Part 4


Negotiations are in progress...let's recap the players:

Factory 1: the current factory that I have been working with for 8 months and have made the recent, yet very late, super sexy prototype sitting on my desk looking at me right now. Owned by westerners.

Factory 2: new contact from China, better fit with what I am up to in regards to their current product lines and sales channels as well as general business philosophy. Really motivated, owned by an American.

Factory 3: out of Ohio, not a great fit with current product lines, but huge (they trade on NASDQ), well financed and willing to expand out of their current product base.

Ok, so yesterday I had calls planned with all three factories and time to put down the offer. Up until now we have been discussing sales potential and getting an idea of how they currently do business, who they do business with and how they would move kelvin into the market. Also getting a feel for the people and what it would be like to work together. Don't be fooled son...everyone is on their best behaviour at this point, but I look for things in the conversations...for example, the owner of Factory 2 practices yoga a couple times a week...his stock just went up in my book.