New Third Ward site provides affordable workspace for entrepreneurs
By Steve Jagler, of SBT
Home-based business owners who want to take the "next step" by moving to professional office space have a new, affordable option in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
The IT Fusion Business Center has opened on the sixth floor of the P.H. Dye House building at 320 E. Buffalo St.
Christopher Kuhl, chief executive officer and co-founder of IT Fusion Business Centers Inc., says his 2,500 square feet of space is available for lease to provide customized short-term workspace, including private offices.
The space features a variety of office support services and is equipped with the infrastructure to accommodate technology-based entrepreneurs.
"By coming here, instead of working in their home, they’ll hopefully be able to expand their businesses," Kuhl said. "It will just permit a more collaborative working environment. We’re trying to make it affordable for people trying to make that transition from their home-based businesses, to make that transition easier."
The workspace in the Dye House can be set up to accommodate each client’s needs. The options include:
MyHotDesk – Entry-level service for the "free agent" technical professional, with a monthly service membership starting at $175 per month.
MyCube – Dedicated workstations with high-tech support services, starting at $275 per month.
MyOffice – 200-square-foot office space designed for an emerging enterprise with a couple of employees and that needs more complex business solutions to help grow the business, starting at $495 per month.
"Our clients will share networks, share contacts, share services. The clients can leverage their relationships," Kuhl said.
Kuhl’s first tenant is 1867 Business Solutions Inc., a small Madison-based IT consulting firm that plans to move its headquarters to the Third Ward building.
"It’s a great location. It’s already started to provide contacts for us," said Scott Thorpe, president of 1867 Business Solutions, who shares his office space with Brad Girsch, the company’s vice president of operations. "We plan to move our corporate headquarters here to Milwaukee. Chris has been great to us. It’s actually exactly what we need. We get to design our own space."
Kuhl, a Milwaukee native who formed IT Fusion Business Centers eight months ago and just opened up the Third Ward space in July, is partnering with Larry Prine of West Allis-based Computer Trouble Shooters of Wisconsin, who is an investor in the project.
"If we can make it in Milwaukee, we’ll take it on the road," Kuhl said.
July 25, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
