Area Fifteen: Raw at its Best You got ideas? Tell me. You want to do something? Show me. You got controversy? Bring it. What we have here is Area Fifteen. You see, the building that captures 15th street and N. David son isn’t legally named Area Fifteen. Area Fifteen is not a company, an organization, and certainly not an individual. Area Fifteen, as people would say, is made up by the creative community of people in it. If one had to define Area Fifteen in only two words, it would be “creative community.” There is simply too much going on here to narrow it down. A small business incubator? If you ignore the five non-profits that call this space home, absolutely. Everyone here is re-defining their skill. Whether its jewelry, massage, music, real estate, painting or marketing, whatever you see here, has a twist to it. There’s an edge to Area Fifteen too. Call these people conventional, and not only would they laugh at you, they’ll show you around so the conversation could start over. People are here because the conventional way of doing things has been done already. We need something fresh. Something raw. Not raw in a bad way, but in a new way. Controversy opens new ways of thinking. Debate challenges the current ways of thinking. Progress is the delicate balance of both. And Area Fifteen, as odd as it may be, teases that balance beautifully. It’s not just the brick, wood, open ventilation and ceilings, the colors, and the like that make Area Fifteen raw. It is what’s happening around it. In it. The people. The activity. Thank you for being a part of it. Welcome to Area Fifteen.
October 9, 2010
Birth of BarCamp in Charlotte So how did BarCamp Charlotte start? Well the founder, Philip Dodds saw that there was a void in Charlotte – a startup culture – and decided that he was going to be the one to fill it. The idea of BarCamp is grounded in the mantra that it is important to share ideas in order for them to grow. With the idea of starting a BarCamp in Charlotte, Dodds then had to find a venue.
Philip Dodds at BarCamp Charlotte 3
Cue Area Fifteen. In a 23,000 sq. ft. space that one cannot help but be creative in, Area Fifteen was selected to be the host. And the love story continues. BarCamp Charlotte 4 is here, and continuing the tradition that Dodds and friends implanted. With professionals coming from across the board, BarCamp Charlotte has expanded from a technology conference to a conference about ideas. The BarCamp Charlotte organizing committee appreciates the support the Charlotte community has shown. BarCamp Charlotte is made up by the attendees, and with your awesome support, BarCamp Charlotte will only get better and better.
Tenant Spotlight Group 15 Real Estate Group 15 Real Estate is coming up on its one year anniversary in Area 15. We considered some “typical” office spaces and we considered locations that would lend itself to more traditional real estate consumer traffic. But, in all of our searching, nothing was quite like Area 15. When you walk into Area 15 you just get this “feeling.” Becoming a tenant at Area 15 is not just paying rent for space, it is joining a community – a community of people that care about each other’s mutual success. In the year that we have been here we’ve been so excited to see some other great new tenants like Felicitea, JDW: The Charlotte Agency, Not Just Coffee, CLT Blog and more. We have seen these tenants serve as mutual resources to us and to them in a way that really has helped each of us grow our businesses. My favorite part of Area 15 is the 24-7 Prayer Room. If you have never been you need to treat yourself quickly. It is a space that is in a sense indescribable and can only be experienced. And while you are here we hope you stop by to see us at Group 15 Real Estate as well.
www.barcampclt.org | @barcampclt
What's Happening at Are a Fifteen? Start Charlotte
Roca Eterna
The co-working, startup nurturer, Start Charlotte is planning:
This music school is looking to teach vocals, drums, guitar, keyboard and more. Also recently it signed local artists to record.
Freelance Fridays freelancers can come to Start Charlotte and work in the space for free.
Startup ABCs A series of podcasts discussing the many elements of the startup culture.
Famous No.Body High quality work, high quality professionalism, at a small business price. From film, photography to mixin’ and masterin’, They are your production house.
Felicitea Do you have a membership to a gym, yoga, or Pilates studio? Prove it and you’ll receive a discount for Thai Yoga Bodywork.
Not Just Coffee The specialty coffee shop is open! Visit its Facebook page (/notjustcoffeeshop) for details.
JDW: The Charlotte Agency Most recently, the shop signed Holy Matrimony Wings & Pizza. Make sure you #CatchtheTruck @WingzzaTruck
Las Americas Dance Studio The dance studio is open for teen and adult Latin dances.
CLT Blog The next generation of local media. If there’s an event going on, the CLT Blog peeps will there.
Moazen Jewelry A custom jewelry shop that has its heart in developing the community and providing high-quality products.
24-7 Charlotte’s urban prayer room. Come here for camaraderie, meditation, or just to have a break from everyday life.
Mudwerk Artisan plaster and concrete.
Trips for Kids A place where one learns how to take care of bikes, trade-in bikes and find bikes.
CJS Art
Counter Culture Coffee
Creating art through stripping and redefining the canvas and traditional commissioned art.
The regional training center is here in the Queen City. Every Friday at 10a.m. is a free coffee cupping.
Y.E.S. and Spirit of Ujima
Big Trouble Studios
The two non-profits are teaming up to put on a 7v7 soccer tournament and a 5v5 basketball tourney this fall. Email spiritthm3@yahoo.com for details.
Mixed media studio, from design to fine art and illustration.
The Free Store Give what you want, take what you need. The store appreciates the support and patronage of people from every walk of life.
AveNocturna Photography Weddings, portraits and more. See http:// www.cargocollective.com/avenortuna for more information.
Want to know more about the Area Fifteen tenants? Visit http://www.areafifteen.com to get the whole scoop
BarCamp Title Sponsor Highlight The Angel Forum of Charlotte Wed | 3 is Charlotte’s Angel Network. As a group of angel investors and representatives of private investors, Wed | 3 ’s goal is to not only listen and critique the business plans and ideas of young and new companies, but if there’s a match, they open the opportunity of helping it grow. Wed | 3 founder, Paul Solitario agrees with the environment that Area Fifteen is nurturing. Entrepreneurship should be looked at as fun, exciting, and profitable. Ideas, given opportunity and resources, can change the way a city or an industry operates. BarCamp Charlotte 4 is thrilled to have Wed | 3 – The Angel Forum of Charlotte as its Title Sponsor. See http://www.wed3.org for more information.
BarCamp Charlotte Newsletter Writers
Dwayne Waite Jr. Matthew Tringali
Editors
Carlos Espin Dwayne Waite Jr John Dermott Ben Vandgrift
BarCamp Creative Team
BarCamp Charlotte Organizing Committee
BarCamp Charlotte Volunteer Committee
Ryan Burkhart John Dermott Bermon Painter Dwayne Waite Jr Carlos Espin Summer Plum Ben Vandgrift James Yoder Joni Kennedy David Kyle David Zimmerman Bridget Sullivan
For more information about Area Fifteen, or to rent a space, please contact Carlos via email at cespin3@juno.com or visit www.areafifteen.com If you’d like to become a BarCamp sponsor or volunteer in the future, contact dwayne@thecharlotteagency.com
BarCamp photos courtesy of James Willamor, Willamor Media