Freelancers Join Forces in Portland
We’re collecting stories from freelancers around the country and sharing them with other members. Share your story and we might feature it on our site. Ben VanderVeen from Portland, OR recently shared his:
A unique opportunity came my way this past winter, when a downtown Architecture firm had to let nearly 50 full-time architects go. This painful downsizing left them with a literal empty wing of their building, and served as a morbid reminder of what a global recession can do. Some forward thinking members of the firm, however, were determined to see the space not be wasted. Giving creative latitude to one of their youngest employees, the firm decided to rent out the available space to freelancers for a VERY reasonable price of $0 per month. Through shared acquaintances and colleagues, the ragtag group of strangers met, organized and formed a collaboration called the Brewhouse Studio. (The office space is in an historic brewery in Portland's Pearl district).
Over the next 10 months or so, the Brewhouse Studio grew from 3 people to more than 15, all self-employed, and all sharing a general creative energy. We now include four filmmakers, four graphic designers, an industrial designer, a professional writer, as well as people involved in online marketing, advertising and journalism. We continue our individual work, but the brilliance lies in our tie to the architecture firm in which we were born. They remain our 'sponsors,' and we take part in lending creative handiwork to their various RFPs, marketing material and internal growth. We deliver our services for a reduced rate of pay, in exchange for free rent. It has become a very positive symbiotic relationship, and as we continue to organically unfold, great opportunities await.
Our hope for the Brewhouse Studio is that it becomes a fully functioning firm, able to tackle large creative endeavors both within the world of architecture and beyond. And it is starting to happen. But it's been fascinating and exciting to be a part of an experiment of sorts, one that has led to great creative collaboration, exploration, and change.
In an economic climate that is harsh, having a group of supportive, ambitious and creative freelancers to work with has been a fantastic road for me to travel.
Has the recession led to benefits for your business? Have you developed a unique way to connect with other freelancers in your area? Let us know in the comments.
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