New York City is known as ‘the city that never sleeps’ and it’s a place where everyone seems to be constantly on the go. While its entrepreneurs should have hustle and self-motivation, it can be challenging to move their businesses forward without the help of a community.
Jason Saltzman – the cofounder of Alley – created the co-working space to give entrepreneurs both the tech and mentorship support needed to build a successful venture.
“It is not just networking, it is focusing on meaningful relationships. The biggest value proposition to being part of this type of community is the support you get from the people within the community,” says Saltzman. “Coffee shops do not focus on that, they focus on coffee.”
Saltzman’s focus on community has resonated so well with entrepreneurs throughout New York City that Alley’s first location reached its full capacity within 30 days. Alley has two locations; the Midtown workspace is at 500 7th Ave., and the newest location in Chelsea is located at 119 W 24th St. Alley also powers Techstars’ 1407 Broadway space.
“Our goal is to connect more amazing people and expand the network,” says Saltzman of the 40,000 square foot space in Chelsea. “That being said we offer some great services to help you build your business. We seek out partners that have products or services that will truly make a difference.”
In addition to sponsors such as TriNet, Mintz Levin, inDinero, Phone.com and Rackspace, some of the other benefits include:
- Tech Perks: Tech Support, Printing Station
- Social Events: Happy Hours and Event Space
- Meeting Essentials: Board Room, White Boards, Conference Rooms, Private Offices
- Additional Amenities: Yoga Room, Storage Room, Office Supply Station, Lounges and Kitchen, 24/7 Office Access
Alley’s Plans for the Future
Alley currently has 1,000 members who work from its locations. Additionally, the company has about 250k subscribers across their digital platforms, which it plans to continue to grow as well.
“We plan on growing to as many locations as possible. Now that we learned what the NYC entrepreneurial community really needs, we are excited to figure out the needs of every city, in every country that will have us,” says Saltzman.
For young entrepreneurs, Saltzman’s advice is to understand that growing a business isn’t easy or simple – most aspiring entrepreneurs should accept ups and downs.
“You must accept failure as a lesson and not be afraid of it. Building something out of nothing is the hardest thing to do and you MUST fail, get up, fail and get up again along the way,” says Saltzman. “It is a bloody war. If you are crazy enough to get involved then strap in for a bumpy ride.”
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article inaccurately referenced Alley’s Chelsea space measuring 16,000 square-feet; Alley’s Midtown location is 16,000 square-feet.