Ripple Coworking founders Kristi & Steve Furnari sat down with Daytona News Journal reporter Aaron London to discuss their new coworking space in Flagler Beach, and their mission to diversify the local economy.
Can a single coworking space be the driving force behind greater economic diversity and high paying job growth in Flagler Beach? Ripple Coworking owners Stephen and Krist Furnari are betting on it.
The Furnaris opened Ripple Coworking on State Road A1A in April, and recently sat down with Daytona News Journal reporter, Aaron London, to discuss the launch of the coworking space and their hopes to diversify the Flagler business community and, potentially, foster the growth of higher paying professional and white collar jobs.
Mr. London’s article, RIPPLE EFFECT: New coworking site aims to diversify local economy, appeared on May 17 in the Daytona News Journal.
What we’ve been finding is that there is this very fragmented community of very skilled, highly professional solopreneurs and remote workers scattered throughout the county,” says Stephen Furnari. “We’re hoping that by getting them together, they can leverage the talents of the community to grow businesses, creating job growth in the city and the county for positions that require professional skills.”
The Furnaris spoke to Mr. London about:
- the struggles they faced after Hurricane Matthew devastated their building,
- how they built an office space that they themselves would like to work in,
- how they are trying to connect with other entrepreneurs who are in Flagler County to live a certain kind of lifestyle, but still run (or work for) serious businesses, and
- how tourists have been using the coworking space to get a bit of work done while on vacation with their families.
Mr. London also interviewed Michelle Brown, the owner of the Flagler Beach Gift Shop, who was supportive of the Furnari project:
For Michelle Brown, owner of the Flagler Beach Gift Shop, adding diversity to the city’s business landscape is a good thing.
“I think most amazing part of it is the different kind of people working there,” she said. “We’ll be able to share our world with them and they can share their world with us.”
To read Mr. London’s article in the Daytona News Journal, follow this link.
About Ripple Coworking
Featuring oceanfront views and a modern design, Ripple Coworking offers clients furnished office rentals, coworking memberships and virtual office plans.
Ripple also offers conference room rentals and deskspace rentals by the hour or day. Spend a the morning on the beach, walk across the street and rinse off in our outdoor shower, and spend the afternoon getting some work done.
Office rentals start at $350/month and include high speed Internet, guest reception and free conference rooms hours. Just show up with your laptop and be working in minutes without having to spend a fortune.
But the best part of Ripple Coworking is Ripple’s community. Ripple’s hope is that the value our clients get from being around their entrepreneurial peers will far exceed the rent they pay.
For more information about Ripple Coworking or to schedule a visit, go to RippleCoworking.com or call (386) 888-2700.
