Is it time to get offline?
Is it time for your business to get offline & into the real world?
Almost a dozen up-and-coming Perth enterprises have the opportunity to take over a commercial space in the heart of our city through Activate Perth’s #FillThisSpace program.
So we asked them: “How is it going, and what advice do they have for potential future tenants?”
Topping the list of benefits for our tenants identified were:
A space to meet, collaborate and co-create,
A place you can make your own without having to pack up at the end of the day,
A low-risk way to test whether your business can sustain a commercial space,
An affordable option for social enterprises and not-for-profits to work from the heart of Perth.
And their advice for would-be participants?
Plan out your tenancy so you know what your three- or six- months will look like,
Have a business and sales plan so you know where your money is coming from,
Work with Activate Perth to develop a solid agreement with your landlord that protects both of you,
Call in help to inspect the property, and identify the best way complete a fitout.
For Passive Hive architect Marta Kablar, setting up shop in Bon Marche Arcade has given her clients a relaxing, open space to discuss their vision to design homes on the cutting-edge of environmental design.
“We have a passive house advocacy group of architects and we needed to meet regularly so when I heard about Activate Perth, I thought it was perfect,” she said. “Once we had the office set up it was so much easier to communicate with clients and stakeholders, it gave us totally new objectives and views about our business. The risk is really low and it’s a great opportunity to experience a whole new shift in your business.”
For Zac Duggan, #FillThisSpace presented an opportunity to expand his tricycle tour business from tourism to a co-working space that fostered co-creation.
“Peddle Verse does a range of bar, city and Christmas lights tours through our tricycle tours and I just saw such an opportunity with Activate Perth to bring e-commerce, social media and creatives together in a space so we could co-create new opportunities,” he said.
It hasn’t been an entirely easy ride: “My advice to anyone considering going into a commercial space is to make sure you have sound business and sales plans and know what your six months in the space will look like. Free rent doesn’t mean there are no other costs,” he said.
“Get advice from people who have done something similar in the past, particularly in terms of inspecting and fitout of the space so they can help you see the things you perhaps haven’t noticed.”
Town Teams, the rent-free office space provide an affordable option that has allowed them to undertake work that is not fully commercial.
“There’s a social component to what we do so a commercial lease wouldn’t really be viable,” he said. “Make sure you have a good agreement upfront, and that’s something Activate Perth can assist with. It’s not always possible to forsee all the things that can crop up particularly if it’s the first time you’ve gone into a commercial space to rent it, but Activate Perth have been fantastic.”
We’re well on our way to achieving our target of connecting 22 enterprises with spaces in the heart of Perth, as part of our crusade to make a demonstrable difference to the City.
And this shows we have a track record of making a demonstrable difference to new enterprises.
Video Interviews
PhotographyUnknown
Get social