Funhouse Commons “Island Enterprise Lab” Off To a Fast Start

Follow-up Meeting on Saturday, March 3

From Pete Moe, Funhouse Commons Director

On January 17, more than 35 individuals representing nearly 30 small businesses or business start-ups met at The Funhouse Commons for the first Island Enterprise Lab gathering.

And the first IEL-sponsored event happens March 3  at The Funhouse Commons: a workshop on cooperative businesses or co-ops — what they are, how they work. Professional Co-op developers from the Northwest Cooperative Development Center in Olympia will be leading this workshop from 10a.m. – 2 p.m., including a catered lunch (reservations required for food).

At the inaugural January meeting, Commons board president Eric Youngren led the group through a brain-storming session that produced several great ideas about how to ramp-up small business development on Orcas.

Help with mundane but critical things like bookkeeping, business plans and marketing were requested, and The Funhouse Commons staff promised to provide this in the form of classes and lectures. Similarly, the Funhouse Commons promised classes in basic business software programs like Quickbooks and Microsoft Word and Excel.

Not surprisingly, everyone was interested in learning more about new media—website construction and social media like Facebook and Twitter.

“That’s where we think the Funhouse Commons can really make a difference,” said director Pete Moe. “We have the skills, resources and equipment here to help get everyone up to speed on the latest Internet technology for business.”

In fact, The Funhouse Commons has decided to create “office hours” for  Enterprise Lab participants during week days so that people can have a temporary “office” setting to work in. “We are also looking at ways to provide dedicated tech support during these hours,” said Commons assistant director Krista Bouchey.

Other interesting topics were discussed, like finding ways to generate venture capital here on the island for Island businesses. “That’s how we can bring in some of the talent that resides here on Orcas,” said Youngren. “Everyone knows there is top-notch business experience here. We want to get retired executives in here working with these start-ups as mentors and maybe as potential investors.”

The Funhouse Commons Board of Directors is excited about becoming a small business incubator, supporting local industries of all types, from software to farming.

A Island Enterprise Lab Facebook page has been set up. Go to Facebook, and search for “Island Enterprise Lab”.

Founded by generous members of the Orcas Island community in 2000, The Funhouse Commons is a 501(c)3 non-profit community center with hands-on science exhibits, multi-media labs, art studio, climbing wall and more. The Funhouse Commons facilitates essential Teen, After School, Education and Mentor programs for the youth on Orcas Island; as well as fostering educational, social and economic development programs for the entire community.    www.thefunhouse.org