Entrepreneurs, Freelancers, Small Businesses Find “Synergy of Space” At HUB@63 Putnam

SARATOGA SPRINGS — James Lee, owner of Lee Investment Management, began his business from his home in Greenfield, NY. It was a suitable situation for his professional upstart; however, commuting to his clients’ homes or meeting with them at restaurants eventually called for a change. “It was working to work out of the house, but I think that I was looking for a space,” Lee said. “I needed a conference room and a professional meeting space for clients.” He found the space he was looking for in Saratoga Springs. Along the Putnam backstretch of businesses tucked in a small enclave of the Diamond Brady Plaza, the wheels inside HUB@63 Putnam are turning. Some businesses; some larger, smaller, others in-between, and working individuals who were looking for professional setting, have found that the HUB@63 molds affordability with official accommodation and resources. Each office within the HUB is a spoke in the wheel, rotating around the theme of a professional individual space with shared conference rooms and an environment to allow for networking and collaboration between the diverse clientele that rent its offices. “One of the nice benefits is that there’s certainly an energy from being around other business people, and it was an unexpected benefit from moving out here,” Lee said. Down the hallways of the HUB@63 Putnam are offices of CEOs, founders and owners of companies such as iNovum, specializing in predictive analytics; energy solutions provider Dynamic Energy; dealsipick.com, coupon or ‘deals’ aggregator; and technology-based marketing company Marketing Wiz as well as an office of law firm Cooper Erving & Savage LLP. “The synergy of the space, it allows for the collaboration of people that work in it,” Elizabeth Burke, Hub Coordination Manager, said. “I’m part of their company,” Burke said as she outlined her duties of assisting with lobby services, meetings and managing incoming phone calls for the HUB’s clients. “The HUB works because it’s professionally provided to each individual person, but it’s bigger than that.” The open-closed door policy combined with the community convening spaces allows for discussion, sometimes collaboration and business opportunities between companies. While most of the businesses are very different in scope, service and products they offer, they find common ground on age-old questions of how to better serve customers and increase business. “The interface is that every business, while we may have a different product, service, or our ideas may be different, we still have issues that have to do with leadership, issues that have to do with client services, or issues that have to do with communication,” Founding Partner of iNovum Ken Rotondo said. “So, you have all these smart people hanging around and talking with each other.” The HUB@63 Putnam recently completed an expansion and added a day-work counter to its previously existing 24 offices, conference rooms, and day-use office. The downtown location offers fully furnished office suites that include internet, and shared state-of-the-art conference rooms all of which can be rented out for a day, a month or year at a time without the commitment of a long-term lease, purchasing office equipment or hiring staff. There are also has casual lounge areas, cubicles and private phone booths for people who prefer a less formal office space. The HUB@63 Putnam first opened its doors in October 2013, and its open house is scheduled for early May. There are plans to acquire a second location in Glens Falls could have about 15 offices and provide more shared space geared toward teleworkers. More information can be found at 63putnam.com and for details on discounts toward current rates call (518) 631-2347.