Building Stuff + My Crazy Dream
I like to build things - I always have. I guess you could say it all started when I was a young boy playing blocks with my dad. We had a large cloth sack filled with wooden blocks - all shapes and sizes. Each block was unique and we took turns placing one on top of the other building a tower, trying to make it as tall as the ceiling. When I first started, I wasn’t very good. I was too rushed and didn’t have a steady hand, and would cause the tower to fall. My dad was always patient and never got angry with me…we would just start over again. I love these memories - building wooden towers with my dad, it’s one of my most cherished memories as a little boy. Here’s a recent video of me building a tower of wooden blocks with my Dad about 7 months ago: Link
I still love building things. As of now I build websites, I started a web development company a few years back with a friend of mine (Chais Meyer) called Control Yours. It’s a humble “start-up” company that serves small to medium businesses here in Kearney, NE…and I love the work that I do! However, part of me misses the hands on component of building something. And no, I don’t mean “hands-on” like “hands on my keyboard”!
So, here’s my crazy dream…
My dream actually consists of several parts, but I’ll just start from the beginning. Ok, so you already know I love building things - check. And you know I’m passionate about business (Control Yours, etc.) - check. Well, this is something I’ve been thinking about for quite some time now…I’d love to buy a building downtown Kearney, NE and create something amazing.
Oh, and before I go any further I want to say this: I want this to be a community project. My wish is for several people to come together and offer up their skills and passion to create something beautiful. Ok, here we go…
Phase 1: Buy the building - I’m not quite sure how this will happen yet (I do have a building in mind + some money), but the details are unclear. I need to meet with a bank and see what my options are etc. If you’re interested in pitching in let me know! ;) The ideal building would be on central ave. downtown Kearney (aka: On The Bricks) and would be a corner lot, two (maybe three) levels, and have plenty of potential. Good windows/great view etc. I’m assuming we’d have to do some major reconstruction - I’m OK with this.
Phase 2: Convert the second level into a 5-10 co-working office suite. I’d like these to be tailored to business start-ups or small businesses with 1-3 people. The story goes like this: You’re an entrepreneur - someone with lots of vision and passion, but little resources. All you need is a desk, super fast internet, and an environment surrounded with beauty and like-minded people. You don’t want to work from home, it’s nice…but you need to get out of the house. Think of it as a glorified coffee shop work place. Rent would be month by month - start-ups and small businesses don’t need the hassle of working with 1-2 year lease agreements. Each participant (aka: company or individual renting the space) would be required to provide all other participants with an exceptional discount. It would be a community, everyone would encourage each other, and offer help. It would be fast paced, elegant, and transparent. The space would consist of a lounge area (big enough where participants could work all day - coffee shop feel), a nice kitchen area, restrooms, and 5-10 office suites. Each suite could vary in size…but would have an open and transparent feel to it - possibly surrounded by glass walls with a glass door or something. Interior design would have an old feel (bricks, hardwood floors & old building feel), but have modern (slightly techy feel) furniture and decor. I know the city of Kearney has some grant money set aside for restoring old buildings downtown in hopes of bringing more life and activity in the downtown area. Several of the buildings need major restoration (especially second and third levels) before they can be operational and brought up to code. Perhaps a grant could help provide some aid in doing this.
Phase 3: Convert the first level into a bakery + mini cafe. Build a brick oven, find some super talented bakers, and create a casual & cozy environment where people can work, have conversations with others, or sit down for a full meal. The menu would be small (only the best), and the food very reasonably priced. I’d like to have a few surprises also: First, a tiny loaf of bread brought to you once you’ve sat down (Jubilee Bread…or something like that); Second, free coffee or iced lemonade (or tea) if you walked from your home or biked or ran - to help promote exercise and a healthy lifestyle. These would be simple perks…nothing too special, but a little surprise just because “we love you” kind of a thing. The bakery part of my dream is probably the least developed in my mind…but has plenty of potential. I’m hoping you can think of something amazing to add to the idea.
Phase 4: Last part. This is crazy, so brace yourself! I want an open courtyard on the roof - or part of the roof. Grass, small trees, flowers, and open seating (no shade…I want the open sun and to embrace the weather). This would be available to both the co-working office suite participants as well as bakery eaters. Perhaps the bakery could have a winding staircase up to the courtyard…who knows. I realize the courtyard on the roof is technically very challenging, but would be amazing!
That’s it…in a large nutshell. Have any thoughts? Interested in joining me?
