Hello all, I am new to the list. My name is Mike. I'm looking to get a bike kitchen up and running in my community. For now I am going to fly under the radar as far as taxes and such although that could change once we are a little more organized. My question is this: in searching for a space, does anyone have any advice or maybe some tips to get rent reduced or maybe comped? This sort of thing is new to me so I'm not real sure where to start. I've been working out of my garage but the location is less than ideal to serve those that really could benefit from it.
Thank You,
Mike
When we started in 1996, we asked the community for broken bikes, and- with a front page news article- we ended up with 300 in our front yard within 3 days. We went from our garage, to other garages, to the fairgrounds to a garden shed to an underground cave to finally a nice big shop. Some we have paid for, some have been free.
If we were to be starting from scratch, I think we'd find space first. I suggest a simple letter to the editor in the local paper, explaining your goals, why you want to start something, and ask for donated space.
I've learned people are generous, yet they want time lines. Instead of saying, 'we need free space, who can help,' you might say, 'we would like a donated space of about 1,000 sq feet for one year'.
A bathroom is a must, and maybe heat.
A press release is OK, yet words can get twisted when you are interviewed. A letter to the editor can be about 300 words, and be your group's own words, which is more personal.
If you are not ready for news attention in any form, the other way is of course flyers... and you cannot beat word of mouth.
-Bob Giordano, Free Cycles Missoula
michael kestner wrote:
Hello all, I am new to the list. My name is Mike. I'm looking to get a bike kitchen up and running in my community. For now I am going to fly under the radar as far as taxes and such although that could change once we are a little more organized. My question is this: in searching for a space, does anyone have any advice or maybe some tips to get rent reduced or maybe comped? This sort of thing is new to me so I'm not real sure where to start. I've been working out of my garage but the location is less than ideal to serve those that really could benefit from it.
Hi,
When you say kitchen, I think you are talking about a shop for????
On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 9:40 AM, michael kestner kest918@yahoo.com wrote:
Hello all, I am new to the list. My name is Mike. I'm looking to get a bike kitchen up and running in my community. For now I am going to fly under the radar as far as taxes and such although that could change once we are a little more organized. My question is this: in searching for a space, does anyone have any advice or maybe some tips to get rent reduced or maybe comped? This sort of thing is new to me so I'm not real sure where to start. I've been working out of my garage but the location is less than ideal to serve those that really could benefit from it.
Thank You,
Mike
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Look it up on the Internet, dude.
Wendy
On 28 Feb 2012, at 04:58, Garry Zimmerman wrote:
Hi,
When you say kitchen, I think you are talking about a shop for????
On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 9:40 AM, michael kestner kest918@yahoo.com wrote:
Hello all, I am new to the list. My name is Mike. I'm looking to get a bike kitchen up and running in my community. For now I am going to fly under the radar as far as taxes and such although that could change once we are a little more organized. My question is this: in searching for a space, does anyone have any advice or maybe some tips to get rent reduced or maybe comped? This sort of thing is new to me so I'm not real sure where to start. I've been working out of my garage but the location is less than ideal to serve those that really could benefit from it.
Thank You,
Mike
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Your not under the radar anymore... I suggest you call the mayor of your city and your congressman and ask what monies might be available and if their is some space for a non profit bike coop. File your paperwork for the NP status it is really cheap and the benefits outweigh any "under the radar Status" or any other illegal activities.
James
:)
Mike
From: Wendy Monroe wendy.monroe@usermail.com To: The Think Tank thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 1:09 AM Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Space Rental Advice
Look it up on the Internet, dude.
Wendy
On 28 Feb 2012, at 04:58, Garry Zimmerman wrote:
Hi,
When you say kitchen, I think you are talking about a shop for????
On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 9:40 AM, michael kestner kest918@yahoo.com wrote:
Hello all, I am new to the list. My name is Mike. I'm looking to get a bike kitchen up and running in my community. For now I am going to fly under the radar as far as taxes and such although that could change once we are a little more organized. My question is this: in searching for a space, does anyone have any advice or maybe some tips to get rent reduced or maybe comped? This sort of thing is new to me so I'm not real sure where to start. I've been working out of my garage but the location is less than ideal to serve those that really could benefit from it.
Thank You,
Mike
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
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Bah, running under the radar is great to start! Although we found that it was harder to rent a space without officially existing - it means you need to personally sign a lease. If you KNOW that you want to create a sustainable long-term organization, I suggest flying under the radar to get your org's face out there, but working on non-profit or other official status in the background.
Be sure to read the docs on the collective website to learn about the ins and outs of sharing non-profit status, doing it yourself, just setting up as a not-non-profit instead of NP, etc.
Maybe a friendly storefront/warehouse owner will let you use an unoccupied space for a few months. When we started, our local Bike Month organization shared some of their event space with us for a month, that was amazing for getting our face known. People still come up and say "You were in that underground space...". "Yeah, we were, that was for a month three years ago!". :)
Not existing decreases your possibility to accept checks - sketchy to ask people to make the check out to you, even if you look like an honest person. If you end up somewhere legit, people may ask you questions about insurance, blah blah. Guess that means you should try to get a space where people won't come asking questions...
Ok, I'll stop talking. I'll just leave you by saying that our time under the radar was invaluable as a way for people to get to know our organization, we got to know the people, and perhaps most importantly we proved that people wanted us to exist. Then a homeless guy gave us $10k (yes, I'm serious), then we became legit by joining our local bike advocacy non-profit.
Good luck, "Just Do It", "If you build it, they will come.",
Brian SLO Bike Kitchen (ret.) www.slobikekitchen.org
On Tue, Feb 28, 2012 at 00:21, James R. Weber kc0yef@gmail.com wrote:
Your not under the radar anymore... I suggest you call the mayor of your city and your congressman and ask what monies might be available and if their is some space for a non profit bike coop. File your paperwork for the NP status it is really cheap and the benefits outweigh any "under the radar Status" or any other illegal activities.
James
participants (7)
-
Bob Giordano -
Brian (SLO Bike Kitchen) -
Garry Zimmerman -
James R. Weber -
michael kestner -
Mike
-
Wendy Monroe