Good News!  Isn't it wonderful to hear those words??

In a time of uncertainty with the economy it's fantastic to know there's Good News.  This past Sunday, was one of those days.  The Johnson City Press released their annual Progress Edition and it was chock FULL of Good News!  You name the topic and Good News was flowing like water.  If you were discouraged about our city, it stopped after you read all those articles! 

I'm happy to say that Spark Plaza was among the Good News articles! (see attached) Our Good News spread to Peoria, Illinois.  Long story short, one facebook connection and an old College acquaintance of mine sparked another co-working space 600 miles away from Johnson City.  That's pretty darn cool if you ask me!

And the Good News continues!  This Friday is Spark Plaza's 2nd anniversary.  I can't believe it's been that long.  I still remember painting this place until 2 o'clock in the morning to get it ready for our grand opening April 1, 2009.  Since then we've been mostly empty, mostly full, added desks, seen people move on and new people come and NOW we've opened up another space right around the corner - LEVEL ONE (207 E Main Street Suite 1B).  This space is for folks that need a little bit more room.  Washington County Anti Drug Coalition is it's first tenant - with more space available. 

We'd love for you to help us celebrate by dropping by this Friday April 1st from 9 - 5.  Free coworking and free lunch!  We have several desks open if you want to sign up full time.  Please join us, check out Spark Plaza or Level One. 

Let us know if you can come!

Now go spread some Good News of your own.

Last week, something special happened at Spark Plaza. 

On September 9th, about 13 junior and senior digital communication majors from Milligan College invaded Spark Plaza in search of life's most important question.

"How in the world am I going to use my Communications degree to get a job!?!??!!"

So with coffee in hand, lots of questions and a hopeful heart, they visited with several of our co-workers.  They sought answers from a videographer, a web developer, a blogger, an interactive branding manager and a technology consultant.  "What exactly do you do?"  "How did you get into that?"  "How do you make your money?"  "What does a digital media job look like?"  "How about internships?"

Fun was had by all - students and professionals alike.  And we all left that day feeling a little more confident of the future.

Check out all the photos here: 

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=752803349#!/album.php?aid=19283&id=105491379497912&ref=mf

I really like the culture of co-working. 

It kind of reminds me of the X Games (hang with me on this one).... when I watch them on TV, I get a sense that the athletes, though competing for number 1, really cheer one another on to victory.  When Jose and I started Spark Plaza, we never guessed that it would be so well received OR that someone would want to start their own co-working space over 600 miles away.  That's exactly what happened....

Take a look at this article that was published in my Alma Mater's alumni publication, The Milligan Magazine. Click here for article.

Congrats to Workflow Peoria and all the other co-working folks out there.

I don't know about you - but the word FREE really gets my attention.  I love FREE samples, FREE coffee, and coupons for FREE food automatically puts me in a great mood.  Even "Buy one get one FREE" intrigues me. 

At Spark Plaza, we like the word FREE too.  That's one of the reasons why we have FREE First Friday.  Every First Friday of each month - THAT's THIS FRIDAY July 2nd folks! - we have FREE co-working from 9 am - 5 pm.  Even your lunch is FREE! 

So - if you haven't tried co-working and you're sick of the distractions at the local cafe or coffee shop - come see if Spark Plaza is a place where you can get stuff done. 

Hope to see you tomorrow!

You all know how much we LOVE First Friday in Downtown Johnson City!  And here it comes again.  There's a lot to do in downtown all weekend with The Thunder in the Mountains Motorcycle Rally - check out the schedule here ---->   http://www.thunderinthemountainsrally.com/

You don't have to ride your motorcycle, but here at Spark Plaza, we'll have FREE CO-WORKING this Friday May 7th from 9 - 5 and we'll pay for your lunch!  If you haven't been to Spark Plaza, come check it out.  OR -  If you know somebody that is trying to have a conference call in Starbucks - forward this to them!!  They really need to be a part of co-working!

Fun fact:  did you know that all our co-workers are famous on You Tube? 

We'll be uploading all our YouTube photos from our 1 year anniversary on flickr.  This should be a few smiles! 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thinkjose/sets/72157623755221812/

Hope to see you all Friday!

SparkPalooza!!

Join us for our

1-year anniversary party

(Yes!  It's been a whole year of co-working in Johnson City!)

FRIDAY, April 2^nd

7pm – 9pm

Live music from Bill Perkins and Sam Burke

New Artwork by Ann Ropp, Jason Sawicki, Eric McCarty,

 Jake Hathaway and Sam Mays

Appetizers and drinks.

Come see why co-working is

One of this year’s biggest trends!

Spark Plaza      

 201 E. Main Street     

Downtown Johnson City  423-302-0530

Guess what!?!?!  We did some rearranging here at Spark Plaza and we now have 2 MORE FULL TIME desks available. 

One of these could be yours!

Interested?  Let us know!!

Also!  We are still moving ahead with the possibility of a Kingsport, TN Spark Plaza.  Be on the lookout for a information meeting some time in the coming weeks in downtown Kingsport.

Come on over to Spark Plaza

THIS FRIDAY, February 5th from 9 am until 5 pm for

FIRST FRIDAY FREE CO-WORKING.

Join us for a TECH SWAP!  Bring your lightly used tech gear and swap it for something you actually need!

  As you can see, we have a lot of gear and we're wiling to part with some of it. 

(Keep you mitts off the projector, though.  That's staying!!!)