launch the hub south shore

Business Launch Plan

Prepared by: Dave Thomson, Matt Hall, Tim Merry, Co-Founders The Hub South Shore

Tuesday, 9 October, 2012

Mahone Bay CentreMahone Bay, NS

tel (902) 553 0953


url www.thehubsouthshore.com

Mahone Bay CentreMahone Bay, NS [email protected]

The HUB South ShoreA physical coworking space to connect entrepreneurs, starters, and progressive business people so enterprise and innovation can thrive, jumpstarting economic and social development in rural Nova Scotia.

Why does the south shore need this?There are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of entrepreneurs, starters, and progressive business people like us, working in isolated pockets along the South Shore. We enjoy the freedom to run our own lives but miss the connection, motivation, creativity, productivity, and sharing of ideas that comes from working with others.

A thriving and progressive entrepreneurial core is the driving force of any local economy and the HUB will be a leader in this region of Nova Scotia. The HUB South Shore will be part of the HUB network in the Maritimes and internationally. This will connect small business leaders locally to their counterparts in other parts of the province through collaborative meetings and access to HUBs in Halifax, the valley and Truro initially. For example, I can live on the South Shore and when in Halifax for meetings, work in HUB Halifax.

In addition, members will be able to link to entrepreneurs worldwide through the online platform hub-net and have access to the international HUBs when traveling. See www.thehub.net for more information.

This quality and breadth of networking builds innovation, capacity and relationships which directly leads to more job creation in rural Nova Scotia. We have already seen entrepreneurs who have met at our community sessions begin working together on projects they otherwise would not have been able to respond to. We aspire for this to be happening at a local, regional and international scale for the HUB South Shore members.


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http://www.thehub.net

http://www.thehub.net

What did our community ask for?In addition to an incredible amount of one on one conversations throughout our community, we ran two open house sessions for participants to come and help us shape the vision for the Hub South Shore. Here is what they said they needed to accelerate and amplify their work:

Networking and community: The HUB will connect entrepreneurs through social events and facilitated knowledge-sharing, operating both face-to-face and online. We want to build on the community of entrepre-neurs already living and working in the area, and welcome new arrivals. We connect each to other and connect to each others networks. The culture will be to enable connectivity and amplify successes.

Space: The HUB will be a flexible, well equipped and well designed coworking space. It will include high speed internet, quality equipment, space to meet, and extended-hours access. It will feel great to be part of.

Learning and events: The HUB will host a series of events which support members to learn from each other’s experiences, to collaborate, and to find practical support. The programming will provide teaching opportunities for members to either introduce long-standing learnings or try out new ideas.

Local change: The HUB will make visible and be the voice for the visible economy of start-up businesses and the hidden economy of home-based entrepreneurs working across the region. It will be an attractor for people to move here and stay. It will be at the forefront of the technical modernization of the area. We expect the HUB South Shore to produce community and business leaders who will lead change in the region.

Grow business: One of the key things we have heard from our stakeholders is that is important to be around people ‘who are making money doing what they love’. The HUB must increase our businesses’ chances of success through it’s infrastructure and networks, and success breeds success.

Build credibility: The HUB can help members, and the community as a whole, build credibility. As one of our participants said at a community session: ‘If you don’t have a physical space, you are not part of the economy’. The HUB will make visible the successes of members and build a local narrative of achievement.

Regional and global reach: The HUB will provide links to Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada, and the rest of the world through the interconnected HUB network. We are already building agreements with The HUB Halifax and the emerging Truro and Valley HUB about ways to collaborate and build a network of networks.


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What will the Hub South Shore offer?• A high-functioning coworking space• Regular fun, quality networking events• Business development and incubation• Outreach and community transformation

How will we behave to achieve our purpose?• We will defend the best interests of the entrepreneurs and starters on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. The

success of the HUB South Shore depends on our unwavering commitment to our community.• We will engage a broad and diverse demographic and geography.• We will build community and raise pride of place.• We will be responsive to what is happening in the community.• We will manage our business with honesty, transparency, authenticity.

Why Mahone Bay (Centre)?In the 2011 census Mahone Bay was the only community on the South Shore which became younger and bigger. It is a small community which is bucking the trend of rural out migration by attracting young families with an outstanding quality of life, excellent schooling options and a thriving community. Mahone Bay is already well on the way to becoming a vibrant hub of activity on the south shore, we are joining in.

The Mahone Bay Centre is already a community centre. By renting space here we contribute to the community as a whole through our investment in facilities and by bringing young professionals into a building otherwise largely used by youth and elders. Furthermore, the Mahone Bay Centre has various facilities that will enhance the experience of our members including affordable meeting space, conference facilities, a new workout gym and various sports/ community clubs.

The intention of the Hub South Shore to create entrepreneurship opportunities for younger people is also well suited to this location. Mahone Bay is accessible to schools in the area including Park View in Bridgewater, Bay View in Mahone Bay and the alternative school in the Mahone Bay Centre. Students will have access to a diverse community of talented people who can both model and support them fulfilling their ambitions with-out having to leave the area. Our commitment to building a thriving entrepreneurial heart to the south shore is long term and will involve programming for emerging, as well as, established entrepreneurs.


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Who is involved?Dave Thomson - Dave has a 1st Class Honours degree in Computing for Internet and Multimedia from

The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland. He has lived and worked in the UK, Australia, and Canada. Dave moved to Mahone Bay in 2010 and founded Responsive Web Design. He is a natural networker, community entrepreneur, loves getting to action and is married to Hailey and has two small children.

Matt Hall - Matt has a PhD in geology and 16 years of experience in the energy industry. He has lived and worked in the UK, Norway, and Canada, most recently spending 5 years at ConocoPhillips in Calgary, Alberta. Matt moved to Mahone Bay in 2010 and founded Agile Geoscience, a 21st century consulting firm. He is a business visionary, financial wizard and is married to Kara and has three small children.

Tim Merry - Tim is a long time social entrepreneur, slam poet and change consultant. He works with leaders all over the world to design and deliver participatory gatherings and strategic innovation. Tim has diverse experience from major international businesses and government agencies to local communities and regional collaboratives. He is a process expert, master facilitator and is married to Katie with three young children.

What are the foundations for success?Fantastic Space - The Hub South Shore will be a space that people walk into and want to stay. We want it to be a creative, flexible and practical coworking environment. To this end we are excited to have invested the largest chunk of our start up capital in employing interior designer Brian Fralic from Liverpool.

Top Quality Facilities - The speed of internet, quality of printer/copier/scanner, monitor screens, furniture etc we have will be a key decider for people to join the Hub rather than work from home or rent their own space. We expect the space and facilities to attract people and the community to keep people engaged.

Members - Our utmost priority is developing a core of loyal and engaged members. We will generate members through personal invitation and via an Indiegogo site with a video made by the outstanding south shore videography team from The Picture House (www.thepicturehouse.ca). For financial and social success we need to become rapidly visible to those who are seeking our services and community.


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http://www.thepiscturehouse.ca

http://www.thepiscturehouse.ca

Timeline / ScheduleDate Task

January Original meeting of founders

March Idea for the Hub South Shire comes out of founders regular meetings

May First open community session building a shared vision

June Second community session planning ahead

July / August

Discernment period for founders

September Decision to move ahead with out investment and seek further support

October Incorporation, marketing materials & website development, design of space and in-frastructure, partnerships / investment development, launch membership drive with indie-go-go site and video campaign

November Space renovations, hub community renovation events

December Renovations and infrastructure phase one completed, launch party Dec 14th

January Doors open, events design and marketing

February Events programming begins

March Hub community event, phase two partnerships / investment announcements

April Phase two of renovations, infrastructure, website begins

Launch Phase 1 (September - March): With personal investment of founders and capital income generated through members drive create the basic space, infrastructure and online presence needed to launch the HUB South Shore.

Launch Phase 2: With further investment from founders, members and partner organizations build on the solid foundation and clarity of need created in phase one to take the HUB South Shore to full capacity.


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Activity to dateO

ngoing / future activity

Financial OutlookStart up tariffDrop in $25 / dayHome Based Business $125 / month (estimated use of maximum 8 days / month)Hub Based Business $225 / month (unlimited use)Group / Corporate $3000 / year

Membership includes: use of co-working space and office equipment, free coffee and tea, free events, exposure as part of the hub community, membership in the global HUB network, access to HubNET and the use of any HUB in the world. Group membership extends the same perks to all the employees of a company or organization, and is a great way to support the HUB!

Expense projections for launchLaunch Phase One Expenses (September - April) Cost

Setting up the business $1,500.00

Insurance $1,000.00

Renovations, tenant improvements $3,000.00

Renovations, tenant’s own $3,000.00

Furniture, consumables $3,000.00

Design Visual Identity $1,500.00

3 months rent $1,500.00

Total $14,500.00

We hope to share the cost of design, visual identity, and website development with the other members of the HUB network in Nova Scotia. We have not yet negotiated compensation for tenant improvements with the Mahone Bay Centre.


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Launch Phase Two Expenses Cost

Renovations, tenant improvements $8,000.00

Renovations, tenant’s own $17,000.00

Furniture, consumables $15,000.00

Office Equipment and Network $10,000.00

3 months rent $1,000.00

Extending services and events $10,000.00

Set up incubation and mentorship program $10,000.00

Outreach and marketing efforts $5,000.00

Total $76,000.00

Phase 2 will start once the HUB is running smoothly, and income seems to be steady or growing for at least the foreseeable 6–12 months. We will then move ahead with further renovations to the space, or possibly relocate to a new, larger space in the same building. We will upgrade office equipment, purchase more robust furniture, and give the members a more comfortable, professional environment. To help ensure continued growth, we plan to start a new business incubation and entrepreneur mentorship program. Lastly, we will increase our efforts to raise awareness of the HUB, and find new members, along the South Shore.


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Contact InformationPlease feel free to contact any of the founders directly at the co-ordinates below:

Matt HallAgile GeoScienceMahone Bay, Nova ScotiaTel (902) 980 0130

Tim MerryMyrgan Inc.Blockhouse, Nova ScotiaTel (902) 553 0953

Dave ThomsonResponsive Web DesignMahone Bay, Nova ScotiaTel (902) 350-3559

[email protected]

[email protected] www.myrgan.com

[email protected]

The HUB South ShoreCurrently under development:

URL www.thehubsouthshore.com

Membership campaign www.indiegogo.com/thehubsouthshore


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launch the hub south shore

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