Imagine experiencing a networking event from the comfort of your own home or office. Sound too good to be true? It’s not!
On October 10, 2020, BKLYN Commons partnered with #WeLoveYouCampaign to host a virtual networking event called The Pop Up. With an unwavering focus on their members, BKLYN Commons saw this event as a valuable opportunity to provide a virtual networking experience to their tight-knit community while living their mission by supporting an entrepreneur.
The event was spearheaded by Shelly Gracon, an Ohio-based digital activist and entrepreneur. Gracon traveled to BKLYN Commons’ Prospect Lefferts Gardens location to take full advantage of the location’s dynamic backdrops and social distanced spaces, which are perfect for virtual hosting.
Through REMO, a virtual conference platform, over 20 entrepreneurs from New York City and beyond were able to learn, connect, and shop just like they would at an in-person event. Panelists included Gracon (Founder of #WeLoveYouCampaign), Johanne Brierre (Head of Growth at BKLYN Commons), Art Novoselsky (Founder of the GFTD Community), Jay Clouse (Founder of the Freelancing School), and Rafael Espinal (President of Freelancers Union).
For BKLYN Commons member Sasha Peters and her son Obocho (11), the youngest member of the BKLYN Commons community and CEO of the children’s thrift store, Obocho’s Closet, the biggest takeaway from the event was realizing that they are not alone when it comes to learning how to navigate this new virtual reality. “Everyone in the entrepreneurial community is trying to figure out how to make their virtual presence engaging enough that people want to continue interacting with you and your business,” Peters explained.
Through The Pop Up, Peters discovered that virtual networking is possible. “I enjoyed the ability to go from table to table to meet-and-greet with the panelists and other event attendees,” Peters continued. “It was like taking a walk through the event, virtually!”
Aligning with BKLYN Commons’ goal of providing members with a constant flow of resources and support, The Pop Up offered members of the BKLYN Commons community an opportunity to expand their network and increase their digital footprint while enhancing the visibility of their products and services.
“Our goal,” said Johanne Brierre, Head of Growth at BKLYN Commons, “is to continue to meet members where they are by providing access to resources and state-of-the-art amenities, while identifying innovative ways to add value within and outside of our physical walls.”
The pandemic has changed the way small businesses operate and BKLYN Commons knows that the best way to support and empower its community is by providing safe spaces for its members to collaborate, connect, and grow.
To help meet these new emerging norms in our ever changing culture, BKLYN Commons is currently offering virtual memberships. For just $99/month, members can be a part of the beautifully designed Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Bushwick coworking spaces for virtual or hybrid event hosting, high-speed internet for virtual meetings, workshops, and online learning, and soon, a full-service PLG-based content studio. Plus, each virtual membership offers exclusive access to the BKLYN Commons Slack channel, membership portal, a unique business mailing address, packaging materials, and more!
Click here to learn more about virtual office space capabilities at BKLYN Commons.
