Impromptu Studio’s Founder, Daniel Shipton, is organizing Ignite Des Moines. Ignite Des Moines is built off a very simple premise: If you had five minutes to talk to the people of Des Moines what would you say? What if you only got 20 slides and they rotated automatically after 15 seconds?
Ignite Des Moines will be a chance for its finest to gather, network, and IGNITE! Participants should be ready to learn and laugh, be inspired and entertained. The event will showcase the creative class of Des Moines by listening to the Ignite Talks, participating in short impromptu presentations, and entering into the Egg Catapult Contest. Additionally, the Iowa Web Awards will be announcing its winners throughout the night. Mark your calendars and RSVP now because is an event you won’t want to miss.
We are hoping to fill Impromptu to the gills with local entrepreneurs, innovators, and up and comers. We are looking for sponsors to help us make this event great. So whether you just want to participate or would like to be a sponsor, check out www.ignitedesmoines.com.
Our own Daniel Shipton was invited to discuss his take on coworking at the upcoming Highlight Midwest Conference in Kansas City on Oct 29th. Highlight Midwest focuses on local entrepreneurs specifically those using cutting edge technology to grow and advance not only their businesses but the surrounding community.
Daniel’s presentation is entitled “Intrinsic Intangibles of Coworking and Open Source”. He will be discussing how his background in open source code developement has provided a foundation for the philosophies that Impromptu Studio is based in. He will highlight a few of the intangible benefits that go along with creating a coworking community and working on Open Source projects.
Daniel is honored to be presenting alongside some of his local cohorts: Patent Attorney and Blogger Brett Trout, Mike Templeton of Microblink, and Andy Brudtkuhl of 48Web. We are also looking forward to hearing Dusty Davidson of Brightmix present, and hopefully chat with Jeff Slobotski of Silicon Prairie News again.
On Thursday August 28th Impromptu Studio celebrated its Grand Opening with an open coworking day and cocktail party after the work day. A full house of 12 people showed up to work during the day including a reporter from the local magazine “Juice”. Impromptu had to go borrow an extra table from the furniture store to provide everyone with space. Most of the group walked to lunch at a local favorite the “High Life Lounge” for burgers and tator tots.
We had a great turn out at the cocktail party. Tours running all evening and lots of businesses in the area came out to support us.
We want to thank everyone who came out to cowork with us and those who stayed to celebrate in the evening. We had a great day and it wouldn’t have been a sucess without the great community we are a part of.
Coworking Workspace Comes To Downtown Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 30, 2008) – Impromptu Studio premieres as the next generation of shared, professional workspace in Downtown Des Moines on August 4, 2008.
Fueled by the growth of his company, Redship Technologies, founder Daniel Shipton was inspired to create a coworking space for the independent professionals of Des Moines. Impromptu Studio will bring a sense of community to its workspace by fostering a collaborative environment and providing basic office amenities to its members. “While retaining their individuality, entrepreneurs are able to leave isolation behind,” says Shipton. “It’s about community. Coworking merges the open, relaxed coffee shop atmosphere with a productive work environment.”
Membership plans range from $125-$350 per month which can include a desk, 24×7 access, storage, and meeting time in our multiple meeting rooms or conference room. Daily drop-in rates are available as well as customized monthly plans. Ample parking, high-speed wireless internet, black & white printing, faxing, copying, and coffee are provided at no charge for members and drop-ins. Space is available to rent for those who wish to hold meetings and promotional events at Impromptu Studio. Its location has easy access to I-235 and only is a few blocks to the best of what downtown provides for events, restaurants and shops. The initial drop-in day is always free for those who are interested in coworking from Impromptu Studio. Beginning August 4th, 2008, Impromptu Studio is welcoming visitors and coworkers at 300 Southwest 5th Street, Suite 220 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
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A major hurdle that small business owners and entrepreneurs who work from home deal with is the lack of social interaction which often becomes stifling and limits creativity. Previously, in an effort to remedy this, workers would flock to local coffee shops. While this solves the physical problem of isolation, coffee shops offer nothing to in the form of actual interaction. Enter coworking.
Coworking is a social gathering of people, working independently of one another, but wanting the interaction found when working with other highly intelligent and driven people people. This atmosphere allows those in the space to interact easier and more freely with one another. The person sitting next to you is no longer a random stranger, but a coworker. Not a coworker in the traditional sense of the word; but a coworker in the sense that if you have a problem or need some new ideas you can ask, if you notice that someone is struggling with an issue that you’ve dealt with in the past you can offer advice. The community a coworking office provides encourages collaboration between members in turn boosting the quality ,and often quantity, of work produced. The goal is to establish a community that encourages and helps young entrepreneurs and business owners find their way.
Many coworkers also find that great friendships can be formed out of coworking. The coworking community brings together like-minded people that may not had the opportunity to meet otherwise.
Below are some links to more information about coworking.
We are forming an Impromptu Studio Advisory Board. This is a voluntary board that will serve as a community driven source of policy making for Impromptu Studio and the global coworking community.
Board Responsibilities
- defining acceptable coworking standards for Impromptu Studio and the global coworking community
- community guidance and integration for Impromptu Studio and the global coworking community
- evaluating current and potential coworker fit
- community dispute resolution guidelines/recommendations
- recommending additional services to provide
- documenting findings, guidelines, recommendations, lessons learned, etc for Impromptu Studio and the global coworking community
Getting Involved
Our hope is to make the board valuable to the global coworking community in addition to the value and insight it will bring to Impromptu Studio. This board and its actions will be featured on this website. There are NO requirements for being a board member. We would love to see a mix of people that contain Impromptu coworkers and outside influences. If you are interested in being a part of this board or know someone who would be then please contact us.
We are forming a voluntary board that will serve as a community driven source of policy making for Impromptu Studio and the global coworking community. If you are interested in finding more then check out the Impromptu Studio Advisory Board page.
Impromptu Studio has two membership plans available. Stay lean and mean with Mobile Coworking or set-up shop with Desk Coworking. Both plans take advantage of the shared amenities and fun community at Impromptu. Come try it out for yourself – coworking is always free the first Wednesday of every month.
Impromptu is open for coworking Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm and Wednesdays until 10pm.
Shared Amenities
- Coffee, tea, and water
- First come, first serve conference tables and whiteboards
- Lounge space
- Kitchenette area with shared sink, microwave, refrigerator
- Wi-Fi Internet Access
- Mail and package delivery with a three month commitment
- Lockers available to rent ($20/month)
- Free black and white printing, scanning, and copying
- Library of business, creative and instructional books and magazines
- Board games and video games when it’s time to kick back
- Hold an impromptu meeting in unreserved conference rooms
- Chance to be featured in Impromptu marketing efforts, including the website, newsletter, and press releases
- Add your business cards or brochures to the information rack
Mobile Coworking
- $50/month
- Unlimited Daily Access
- Month-to-month commitment
- Open tables and desks to cowork from
- Pay by check on the first of the month or get billed through Paypal subscription
Ready to go? Subscribe through Paypal and come on out.
Desk Coworking
- $175/month
- Minimum 3-month commitment
- 24/7 keyed access
- Desk and chair included – you can bring your own chair if you’d like!
- Pay by check on the first of the month or set up a Paypal subscription
Does all this interest you? Drop us a line for a tour, a visit, to sign up or to learn more.
Unlimited coworking. $50 a month. Seriously.
Yup, it’s true. Unlimited coworking at Impromptu Studio for only $50 a month. Check out our plans to see what we have to offer!
Location, location, location.
You’ve got to see the views from this place. Don’t let the “SW” in SW 5th street scare you, we’re right in the heart of downtown. Art 316 are our next-door neighbors and the Science Center and Whiteline Lofts are just across the street. Impromptu is easily accessed via the MLK parkway and is walking distance from great places like Hessen Haus, El Bait Shop, Capital Square (meaning FedEx and USPS), Court Avenue Brewing Company, Principal Park, and many more.
People people.
Impromptu is first and foremost a community. That means we make decisions based on what’s best for our coworkers. Dollars and egos and resumes are at the bottom of the priority pile. Being around great people creates a powerful energy that makes working more productive and more fun
Impromptu Studio will be Des Moines’ Premiere Coworking Office for Shared Workspaces. Office residents will enjoy all of the comforts of a regular office without the "pain" of living in cubeland. We take care of the office and it’s amenities. You take care of your business while gaining many potential interoffice connections with business owners just like you.
We see Iowa’s brain drain as a serious problem and are offering up Impromptu Studio as one part of the solution. Young professionals can grow their own business by tapping into the resources we offer. Young professionals no longer have big obstacles in joining the social and business community, a reason that many young people leave now. Social interaction and networking opportunities that have young people are moving out of Iowa can be found within our environment.
Impromptu Studio aims to foster local business connections and interactions. Our members will also have a diverse pool of services to offer each other. This dual pronged approach of community integration allows our members to become acquainted at multiple levels with individuals and businesses that can help them succeed for the years that follow.
Born out of need, Impromptu Studio will be a permanent home for Redship Technologies who will serve as the workspace’s host.
