Independent workers look to Gangplank for support
Meet-ups offer companionship, motivation
4 commentsby Erin Zlomek – Jul. 31, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Steven Shaffer said starting his own company was a no-brainer when he lost his job in February.
But working alone from his Gilbert home office soon felt more like a pity party than the new challenge he was looking for.
Isolation set in and he struggled to stay focused.
“The good thing about being in an organization is structure. Whether it’s bad or good, you know how to get things done through a certain process,” he said. “Going out on your own, one of the first problems you encounter is ‘Well, what do I do first?’ “
Three times a week, Shaffer started going to Gangplank, a walk-in office space in Chandler where about 20 home-based professionals can plug in their laptops and work independently while sitting next to each other. The crowd is part of a growing network of solo workers who meet regularly in coffee shops and drop-in offices for each other’s professional guidance and companionship. read more…