Tuesday of this week Alex Hillman and myself meet-up for a couple of beers at Eulogy. I had only known Alex through the PANMA list-srv, where we traded occasional banter. I knew he was a developer who had recently returned from SXSW, and really had his hand on the pulse of current, positive, web trends. Someone who’s experience and talent I could really get on board with and start coworking.

Independents Hall, is a philly based coworking community started by Alex earlier this year. The basic premise is to create a community of independents; sharing off of mutual success in a professional, yet cafe-like atmosphere. The idea; while I am sure was thought of by many independents, was placed into motion in San Fransisco by Brad Neuberg, back in 2005.

As a newly independent/freelance designer I was starting to feel the rough edges of working from home, alone, everyday. It is a fantastic time to be a freelancer especially in the current design and development arenas. However, there is such an atmosphere of ideas that gets generated when you work in an office with other creative types, and I was missing that in a big way. My mind just started to feel the pinch of not working with anybody. Getting involved with Independents Hall is about to change all of that.

Through Independents Hall I will be able to work on projects with other designers and developers, expanding my services through the services of others. Now as a member of a group of independents, we all benefit from assets we can provide each other; equipment, experience, services, technology, vendors, etc. All of us working together to gain success.

The first meet-up for Independents Hall is Monday, and I am attending with a good amount of excitement. I am forever grateful to Alex for introducing a concept such as this to me! There is a bright shiny future ahead for my business and lifestyle that will blossom from this initial meet-up.