What is The Hub? 

Hubs are member-based work and event spaces where social entrepreneurs, freelance professionals, artists, funders, students, mentors, and community leaders can work and interact. Working together, it’s hoped these groups will access market opportunities and capital, build community, and scale ideas.

Hubs are a type of co-working space in which members receive a set of tools and services from a community of professional hosts, mentors and local enterprises who are passionate about supporting innovative ideas. Depending on the location, Hub centers may offer donated legal services, mentor office hours, and unlimited coffee. Aside from the shared services, the real benefit to Hub members is the business incubator environment.

History of The Hub

The Hub began four years ago in London and quickly spread to 18 cities and across four continents. Today, there are nearly 4,000 Members of The Hub, interconnected by a place-based and online network. The Hub Bay Area is the first Hub location in the United States and was started in partnership with Hub Global by a San Francisco-based team who founded Good Capital and The Social Capital Markets Conference (SoCap).

“We are thrilled to be working with the people from Good Capital and SoCap, and the stellar team they’ve put together,” said Jonathan Robinson, co-founder of The Hub Global. “We have known them for years and are impressed at what they have accomplished at the forefront of a new kind of investing, and at the way they have been able to convene and build strong community.”

MBA Students Integral to United State’s First Hub

Hub Bay Area was designed by a team of architects, Hub Members, IDEO and MBA students at UC Berkeley’s Haas Business School. The space at the David Brower Center features collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, private phones booths, kitchen and cafe, and lounge areas that reflect the dynamic working needs of its members.

Money, Mobs and Media

Being part of The Hub community includes access to their Innovation Series that will regularly produce interactive events focused on inspiration, aspiration and operation of social change. This summer, before the doors even opened, The Hub presented Money, Mobs, and Media, a panel featuring the founders of Kiva, Virgance, and Change.org. They discussed ways to create and scale community-driven non-profit and for-profit social enterprises.

“We are providing a home, inspiring community and support structure for those who are building solutions for people and planet. By connecting change-makers, sharing resources, and cultivating new ideas, we can massively increase the scale the impact of our collective work,” says Alex Michel, Managing Director of Hub Bay Area. 

The Future of Hub Bay Area

Plans are in place to extend Hub Bay Area to the Mission District in San Francisco in early 2010, and into the South Bay in 2011.

“Bringing the Hub concept to the Bay Area and beyond is a natural extension of what we are already doing,” says Kevin Jones, a founder of both Good Capital and SoCap. “We convene many of the people who are making the social capital market happen in an annual conference, but The Hub is where the rubber meets the road every day of the year.”

Prospective members should e-mail bayareahosts@the-hub.net for more information.

Dress for Success
When you begin a new job, be sure to dress appropriately. For men, this means a jacket and tie. Women should wear a suit or a conservative dress. Don’t assume there is a casual Friday. Let your supervisor tell you if you are overdressing. Even if the workplace is casual, keep a set of nice professional clothes nearby in case you have to meet with important clients or supervisors.

Arrive on Time
Being punctual demonstrates that you plan on taking a job seriously. Plan to arrive each morning a few minutes before the actual start time. If you know you’re going to be late or sick, notify someone immediately.

Be a Team Player
Successful businesses are made up of quality employees who work together toward a common goal. Show your boss that you are a team player. Demonstrate how your skills are an asset to the team you are assigned to. Before long, you’ll see your responsibilities increase. You may even be leading your own team.

Show You Can Be a Leader
Companies need effective leaders. Being a leader doesn’t always mean that you’re giving other people orders. You need to know how to lead regardless of your position or place in a company. Even if you are the lowest employee in the chain-of-command, look for opportunities to show leadership potential.

Be Willing to Learn
Proving yourself and paying dues is a reality of the business world. No one starts at the top. Be prepared to show what you’re capable of and people will take notice. Complete every task and job with enthusiasm.

Learn How to Speak to Others
Business has its own language. Chances are you’ll be working with professionals from several different areas. Learn the ins and outs of different areas such as accounting, finance and marketing, and you’ll be able to work with professionals from all areas of expertise.

Avoid Personal Distractions
Turn off your cell phone during the day. Avoid checking your personal e-mail account. Try to limit personal calls on your desk phone. It’s best to conduct personal business outside of work.

Monitor Your E-mail
Avoid sending or forwarding vulgar, lewd and off-color e-mails. Instruct your family and friends to send any correspondence to a personal e-mail account. Remember, most companies monitor employee’s e-mail accounts.

Expand Your Skills
Even though you already have a business degree, you may find yourself in a position where you need to increase your knowledge in a particular area. Graduate-level certificates and similar professional programs allow you to learn the basics of new areas of business. Explore opportunities to learn new abilities.

Build Your Network
It’s not always what you know, but sometimes who you know too. Professional contacts can open doors and get you interviews. How do you find these contacts? Through networking with professors, fellow students and alumni of whatever business school you attend. Many professionals were once in your shoes and are more than willing to help you out. Take advantage of mixers and social networking events to build your own base of contacts.

Don’t Be Afraid of Challenges
When it comes to a new job or a new position, you’re not going to have all the answers. That’s okay. No expects you to be perfect, but they do expect you to try. Embracing challenges and new situations is a great way to demonstrate your skills to those around you.

Be Willing to Learn
No one starts at the top. Be prepared to show what you’re capable of and expect to pay your dues at the beginning. If you complete every task and job with enthusiasm, people will take notice of your efforts.

Learn New Skills
Learning is a lifelong process. Even though you have a business degree, you may find yourself in a position where you need to increase your knowledge in a particular area. Graduate-level certificates and similar professional programs allow you to learn the basics of new areas of business. Explore opportunities to learn new abilities.

Avoid Gossip
It’s easy to get caught up in the latest water cooler gossip. It’s best to avoid talking about and spreading rumors even if you think they are true. If you’re not prepared to submit a report to a representative of human resources about a certain rumor, don’t waste your time discussing it. If you feel that someone is spreading rumors about you, go to your supervisor or human resources representative.

Be Considerate of Others
Avoid sending or forwarding vulgar, lewd and off-color e-mails, especially to your co-workers. Instruct your family and friends to send any personal correspondence to a private e-mail account. Remember, most companies monitor employee’s e-mail accounts. It’s also best to limit your personal phone calls during the work day.

Get to Know Other People
Do you know what’s happening in market research? What about economic forecasts? Understanding other areas of business and being able to communicate with people from other sectors will make a difference in how you get things done. It also shows that you’re a team player. Remember to play to your strengths and let other people concentrate on their area of expertise.

Team Players
Successful businesses are made up of quality employees who work together toward a common goal. Show your boss that you are a team player. Demonstrate how your skills are an asset to the team you are assigned to. Before long, you’ll see your responsibilities increase. You may even be leading your own team.

Leadership Starts with You
Companies need effective leaders. Being a leader doesn’t always mean that you’re giving other people orders. You need to know how to lead regardless of your position or place in a company. Even if you are the lowest employee in the chain-of-command, look for opportunities to show leadership potential.

Network with Professionals
As you meet new people, invite them to join your networks of professional contacts. Networking opens doors and can help you get future job interviews. Take advantage of conferences, lunch outings and social events to build up your network.