Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Crowe.
Hi Alan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a native of Atlanta, married with two girls 11 & 13.
I have a diverse background without any real specialization. I’ve been a programmer, run a warehouse, remodeled houses, and built sets for a local theatre company. I spent most of my professional life as a salesperson and owned a ten person sales and marketing firm for 16 years before starting my current venture. It was amazing how many of my past jobs wove their way into the development of the new business.
I started my original company in 2001 after six years as an account manager. SpecPoint started with just me and a promise from a former coworker that he would join me after I signed up enough manufacturers to pay the bills. The early days were a struggle but we developed a great reputation and by the summer of 2004, we signed a representation agreement with one of the top companies in our industry. I even met my future wife there.
We regularly worked on large projects with major security integrators but we also worked with a lot of small contractors and that experience was a core part of the Room2work idea. After sixteen years, I decided I wanted to do something different and sold my half of the company to my partner and founded Room2work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is it ever a smooth road? A few years into SpecPoint and before we signed our largest account, we were near the end and talking about what would be our “we’re done” moment. The commercial security industry was dominated by a few large manufacturers and they didn’t change their representation very often. We were well known, trusted, and capable but someone had to lose an account before we could pick it up. We weren’t making enough money with the small manufacturers we had and were running out of money.
At a Vegas trade show in the Spring of 2004, I asked for an interview with a product manager at the largest camera manufacturer in the industry. SpecPoint was representing a line of high-quality LCD monitors that would fit a hole in their monitor lineup. After the meeting, I got introduced to the VP of sales and by August we had signed a manufacturer that was doing $12mil in our region.
Working with a business partner was also a struggle. We had very different styles and perspectives on running the business. I was technical and he was relationships. We had some serious fights until we realized that we both wanted to build the business based on customer service. Once we settled on our roles in the company, we did very well.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Room2work Coworking?
The idea behind Room2work is a simple one. Provide affordable space and support for micro-businesses as they grow. We provide the office, meeting, and inventory space but each member brings something to the community. Their experience with marketing, eCommerce, or any number of other entrepreneurial obstacles helps someone else figure out a question faster without feeling alone.
I envisioned a space that would make growing a business easier. My first thought was a business-centric version of self-storage but once I started interviewing potential clients, I realized they wanted more than just a small warehouse. They wanted office and meeting space also. Early on, I had a meeting at a local coworking space and realized that combining coworking concepts with the utility of self-storage would create an ideal space for contractors. We even referred to it as a “contractors’ clubhouse” but things didn’t turn out that way. We have a few contractors but most of our members are eCommerce stores and a surprising number of software companies.
I’m happy to say that our warehouse and offices are full with very little of the turnover common in coworking. We’re focused on being much more than just where someone works. The value of a space like Room2work is becoming part of how entrepreneurs run their businesses. At least until they are ready for their own space. So far, we’ve celebrated seven companies that outgrew our space and moved up to their own office.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I admit it, I didn’t do this soon enough. I got lost in the weeds of starting a business and hide behind some really good intentions. I honestly didn’t think I needed a mentor. It wasn’t until I asked a long-term business friend for advice that I realized how helpful it was. He’s worked with several startup companies and quickly focused me on two questions 1) What have you accomplished? 2) How does that feed your long-term goal? He doesn’t “fix” anything. He just listens and then comes back to the two questions. I’ve even used the approach with several members that asked for help.
There are also a dozen or so members that act as a collective mentors for me. They shape the services we offer and give me honest feedback on the user experience. The benefit of a mentor is accountability. It’s not that you’re accountable to them. They remind you that you’re accountable to your plans and goals.
Pricing:
- Virtual Office $59/mo
- Coworking Basic $149/mo
- Coworking Pro $189/mo
Contact Info:
- Email: info@room2work.com
- Website: www.room2work.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/room2workroswell
