The Green Dream

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Our favorite color for the month? You guessed it! We’re bringing a whole new definition to the idea of “going green” this month at Ment. 

With our community partner for March being Jules with the Flowers and spring being upon us, we couldn’t think of a better time to talk about this theme. Not to mention, I am super psyched about all of the (punny) floral wordplay that is about to happen. 

So what exactly are we talking about? Going green in every aspect of your life. Yes, this means doing your part in the community to reduce, reuse and recycle, but also means thinking outside of the box and finding ways to incorporate a little more green (literally) into your life. You can do this by decorating with plants and sprucing up your work environment or maybe focusing on healthy eating habits by adding a little more green in your diet. All of these are awesome ways to consider helping yourself stay on track to be a better you. After all, we didn’t set those 3:59s at the beginning of this year for nothing right? 

Ment to be Green

I know what you’re thinking but the coworking world is no exception to the green movement. There are so many ways to be more conscious in the workplace and here are 5 we partake in:

1. Recycling. Did you know that Ment recycles? One of the easiest and most important ways to do your part was just a given for us! We also use Land Shark Shredding, Bowling Green’s leading green and confidential paper shredding company.

2. Coffee. We practically live off of it here so why not try to save on the amount of cups that we are using for this drink that we call our lifeblood. And as if you needed another reason to use your favorite mugs, but we are all about it here! Our cabinets are overflowing with a selection so take your pick or bring in your own. 3. Natural light. No, I promise not to talk about how great it is for photo ops this time, but guys it is a money saver! Research shows that you can cut down energy costs by up to 75% by using natural light. If you don’t need the artificial light don’t use it – simple as that! (But okay I mean the at-work selfies are a plus as well). 4. Going Paperless. We may not be completely paperless here at Ment, but we aren’t far from it. With our website, advertising and outreach efforts being almost solely digital, we don’t find the need to use any more trees than necessary! Not to mention our monthly newsletters are always sent out through email.

5. Lighting. Another simple energy saving practice – using energy efficient light bulbs and simply turning off lights when you leave a room. For businesses like Ment that allow 24 hour access, this can be tricky, but we try to do this as much as possible and make sure that we can educate our members and employees on how to be more conscious of their use. 

Stay tuned to see how your local florist shop (and our latest community partner) is going green in her own life and how you can take advantage of greener practices here in your community.

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The Art of Coworking

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Since starting my internship, I can safely say that Ment Cowork has become a safe haven for me. A place in which I can be myself, express myself and simply “be.” Ment has mastered the art of coworking. Not a thing? We think it should be! 

The ability to bring together people from different backgrounds, companies, walks of life, and work in the same space with the same end goal in mind: to Get stuff done. It takes a special set of skills, that’s for sure. 

How we do it

Maybe it’s the awesome interns we have, the owners that first saw potential in this 130 year-old building, the ever-growing and supportive community in which we sit upon or the amazing members that have set up a “home” here at Ment. 

Not to mention, we have this whole community partner collaboration thing on lock. Didn’t know that we provide event space as well? You do now! Even more so, we are fans of local art and have nothing against housing work here at Ment. Just ask our community partner for this month – Slow as Folk!

Amenities

We know what people want and we’ve got it down to a science. Member perks, discounts, coffee, parking passes and aesthetics – just call us the masters!

We are also super in touch with the concept of hygge here at Ment – something that we believe is an art of it’s own. We have learned to incorporate this feeling and lifestyle practice into our workspace…and the feedback has been nothing short of great!

Success!

We took a chance when we started with an empty floor and created something truly inspiring. Only a few years under our belt and we have become a masterpiece standing tall in the center of downtown Bowling Green. Ment represents so much more than just a space to work, we are an integrative community that advocates for all workplaces and individuals to do what they do best in a place that allows them to reach their potential. 

At Ment, we believe in the importance of art and want to provide an atmosphere where people feel invited to work in. Whether you’re inventing the next code for NASA or creating your latest masterpiece, we support you and all of your endeavors. You are {Ment} for great things! 

Want to know more about our story? Check out our blog on how community manager Hayley knew it was Ment to be. 

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Embracing the “Hygge” Lifestyle

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If you love over-sized sweaters, fuzzy socks, salt lamps and have an obsession with blankets, then you are going to be all ears for this. Our theme for the month of February – “Hygge.” 

Raise your hand if you’ve heard of this crazy Danish concept before. No? Me either. Well that is until I took an international public relations class last semester. I chose to study the country of Denmark because, well they are supposedly the happiest place and people in the world and need I say more? I kept coming across this concept so much that I just had to research it. Turns out it’s not crazy at all and most of us are actually practicing it – it’s actually pretty neat! 

HYGGE

Originating in Denmark, Hygge is a term for the all encompassing feeling of comfort and well being. 

Synonyms:  Happiness, coziness, security, simplicity, reassurance 

“Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home.” 

Enjoying the little things in life, practicing self care, being present in the moment and creating a feeling of contentment are all ways in which one can practice this concept. Sounds like something you’re down for? We sure are! With all of our natural light, diffusers, lamps in every corner, (and don’t forget the couches) we are all about this way of life. 

The Danes practice this concept as a way to combat the winter and rainy day blues. Sound familiar? I ask as I am writing from the comfort of my couch, pajamas, coffee in hand and blankets in my lap on this gloomy February day. 

And now, with our newest community partner Slow as Folk, we have beautiful artwork on display all month long to help tie this whole beautiful and comfortable lifestyle practice together. Slow as Folk artist Sarah Gust is all about a simple lifestyle and incorporating comfort items into her daily routine as well as her art. 

“I want to be comfortable and I want my customers to be comfortable as well.”

We can relate to this on a spiritual level  because if you don’t have comfort, how will you be satisfied with your work, life, etc.? Our members deserve to have the space where they can work in an atmosphere that works for them – whatever that may be. With this being said, we just had to jump on board with this concept for our theme of the month. 

Ment Cowork will be here all month long helping you to bring a little Hygge into your life.

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Hello Menternship

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Hi guys! You may have been reading a few of my words recently or seen a new face around here at Ment, so I just wanted to introduce myself to you all. My name is Hannah Vanover and I am the newest intern at Ment Cowork! I will be managing and assisting with all things media related. I am so excited to be getting started here and to have a change of pace this year and learn a few new things. 

I am a public relations and photojournalism major at WKU. I’m originally from Owensboro, Ky., and now currently live in Beaver Dam and commute to college in Bowling Green. Don’t let my native location fool you though…I love immersing myself into different communities! I am an avid taco lover and homebody who also loves people. My friends typically call me “supergirl,” possibly because I love keeping myself busy and tend to do the “impossible” when I take on too many things that I am passionate about. Along with my Ment internship, you can find me as a cashier at my local Walmart or freelancing as a reporter and photographer at two different publications in and near my town. If you still can’t find me, chances are I am out photographing for my business: HV Photography or in my home studio. I also may be at home hiding out and binge watching the entire series of New Girl on Netflix for the fifth time…the world may never know! 

As I hear it is tradition, it’s time to announce my ment word which is *drumroll* Encouragement. While this may seem like a simple one, it is important to me. I am a believer that kindness goes a long way. A helping hand, a smiling face or a word or two of encouragement – it never hurts. As I am writing this just one week before the new year, I encourage you all to find ways to offer support and inspiration to others. Start thinking about your own 3:59s because I know I have mine! And be sure to stay tuned for some encouraging posts in the following weeks!

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Introducing Our Newest Mentern Carli

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Hi friends! My name is Carli Hughes and I’m the newest Mentern. I’m so excited to be starting my internship here at Ment where I’ll be able to explore what this exciting journey has to offer. As you’ve gotten to know all the previous interns, I am no exception and would love to share who I am with you. 

I was born and raised here in Bowling Green, KY with a background in makeup, skincare & esthetics. Through this career I’ve learned the importance of marketing and social media presence and how this can greatly impact a brand. Being from Bowling Green I enjoy connecting with the community and will often shop local; it’s just the culture here! I believe coworking is a wonderful addition to some of the things our city has to offer for our community. 

Sometimes I find talking about myself brings back flashbacks of the first day of school when you have to share with the class a few things about yourself and you’ve completely gone blank. Who am I? What defines me? What are some interesting quirks? I enjoy going to the movie theaters alone, I rewatch the same 5 shows, I can successfully knit a square & I believe the perfect date is April 25th because it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket. (Shoutout to all my Miss Congeniality fans) I think it’s important in life to take every moment as it comes and find the right group of people to surround yourself with. Do what makes you happy, have some fun & just do you boo.

I like to keep things short and sweet so I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to learn a little more about me and what I value. Before I sign off, I’d like to share my -ment word with you and why I feel it’s important. I chose momentum. The law of momentum states that an object will stay in motion until it meets a resisting force. So I leave you with this – keep pushing forward because there’s nothing standing in your way.

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Goodbye Menternship

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As I spend one of my last days here at 911 college street, I am able to reflect on my time spent at Ment. Coming into this internship, I was unfamiliar with the coworking industry and the community that came with it. From the inspiring space to the empowering people, my time here at Ment has been nothing short of amazing. 

 

Between content creation and management, to organizing events and keeping in touch with other professionals in the community, I feel I have gained real world insight about the public relations industry as a whole. Being a mentern has given me knowledge that I can’t learn in a classroom and I am so thankful for the experience! I want to give a special thanks to Hayley, Valerie and JD for providing me with this opportunity. 

 

In just a few short weeks, I will be graduating and making the move back to Lexington, Kentucky to pursue my photography business full-time. I plan on implementing social media and creative writing skills that I have gained here at Ment into my own business. If you want to keep up with me, feel free to follow my social accounts at @abigail.e.photography. 

 

I hope that you all have enjoyed reading my blog posts over the course of the semester. I have loved being a part of this community and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Ment Cowork! It’s not a goodbye, rather a see you later. 

 

I’m coming for you, big girl world.

 

 

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Ment Insider Tour

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If you follow us on instagram, you are probably familiar with what our space looks like by now, However, several people who wonder to our blog have no clue who we are or what we offer as a coworking facility. Head to the link below to check it out and feel free to leave a review on what you think of our space in the comments!

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6 Tips to Becoming an iPhone Photo Expert

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As a professional photographer, I am honestly amazed at the capability iPhones have to capture quality images. With different modes and filters, sometimes it can even be hard to distinguish an iPhone photo vs. a photo captured on a digital camera. I personally use iphone photos for all of my instagram stories and highlights. You can check out my shots on instagram here. Since we carry around our phones 24/7, we have the opportunity to create some pretty cool things. 

 

Have you ever looked back on your photos and thought, “What in the world was I thinking when I took this?” If so, this post is for you. I am offering some tips that will change the game for you iPhone photographers – AKA, almost everyone.

 

Slow down

 

First and foremost this is one of the biggest problems we face when taking pictures. A picture freezes a moment and captures it in time, so slow down and focus on that moment. Look at the screen while you are taking the photo and be aware of objects you are either putting in or cutting out. Once we do this, we avoid errors such as accidentally cutting grandmas head off. 

 

Tap the screen to lock focus

 

It’s true. We can get a lock on our focus simply by clicking the subject and holding down on the screen for a few seconds. You would be amazed at what this simple trick can do to change the quality of your iPhone photos. 

 

Zoom with your feet, not with your phone

 

This is possibly my favorite one. When you zoom with your iPhone, the quality is quite literally destroyed. If your images turn out pixelated and grainy, this is why. Next time you go to take a picture, zoom with your feet. Don’t be scared to get up close to your subject, you will thank me later.

 

Take advantage of the different shooting modes

 

As a photographer myself, I think this feature is so cool. You have the option to choose between a regular photo, portrait, square, panoramic, and even wide angle view on the new iPhone 11. Take into account what you are shooting and decide which mode would be best. For portraits, be sure to pull your subject away from the background to get the best depth of field. 

 

Get different Angles

 

Who said you had to be one and done? Don’t be scared to move around when you are taking photos with your iPhone. Get angles from up high and down low, up close and further away. Test out different options with your subject to see which ones you like best. It’s better to have too many to choose from than not enough. 

 

Use a preset

 

And lastly, the complete and total game changer: applying a preset. Also known as adding a filter on your photo which has the ability to change the entire look and feel. Check out free apps such as vsco, colourtone and lightroom to filter your photos like a #pro. Here’s an example of an iPhone photo with a lightroom preset below.

Use these tips and wow people with your next iphone photo. Happy shooting!

 

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Why Dogs Make the Best Companions

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If you haven’t had the chance to be loved by a dog, you’re doing it all wrong. Dogs are some of the best companions to go through life with and they are guaranteed to stick by your side through the good, the bad and the ugly. As cheesy as it may sound, dogs really do provide unconditional love. Even though we are all human and extremely far from perfect, you will never do wrong in your pups eyes. 

 

Now let’s talk about all of the ways a dog could benefit your life…

 

They are always willing to do whatever you want- 

Dogs are so excited to just be with you. Wanna go on a walk? Spend a few hours in the office? Drive around town? Have a lazy day spent on the couch? Whatever the task may be, they are right there next to you feeling so thankful to be included in your life. 

 

They will reduce your stress at work-

Pets remind people to step away from the stress of the world and provide a temporary distraction including laughter and positivity. Studies have actually proved that pets have calming effects, reduce blood pressure, lower stress and make employees more productive. Can’t bring your pet to work? They will be the first one to greet you at the door to welcome you home when you get off. As soon as you give them a reaction, the worries of work will fade, at least momentarily. 

 

At Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle, nearly 6,000 pups share a workspace with their humans. Amazon has a good thing going. But are we really surprised…they always are ahead of the game. We are pet friendly here at Ment and it brightens our day to see furry friends walk in the office. 

 

They provide unconditional love-

Even when we don’t deserve it, dogs will be there to love us unconditionally. Without even using words, they are there for you even if no one else is. Dogs know our emotions and want to celebrate when we are excited, and cuddle up close by when we are sad. Dogs believe in their humans. What more could you ask for? 

 

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All About the Benefits of a Day Pass. Try it For Yourself!

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If you are scrolling through our site, you are probably familiar with the amenities Ment Cowork has to offer. But have you heard about our day pass or thought about the endless opportunities it could serve you? If you are working in business, quit scrolling and take a few minutes to find out how you could improve. 

For just $25 a day, you can come and work on the second floor of 911 College Street, distraction free. With access to a soundproof phone booth, a conference room and a variety of thoughtfully designed work spaces, Ment offers the amenities to make you look and feel top of the line. Rather than meeting in that overcrowded coffee shop or trying to find some peace and quiet while on your next conference call, give the day pass a chance and find out how much work you could really be getting done. At the end of the day, time is money. I’d say we all can appreciate the value of both of those. 

How much money could you make with out $25 day pass? Don’t ask us…ask a few of our frequent day pass attendees. 

Skylar Wooden, owner of Wooden Writes: “I’m able to do 100% of my work from home. But, working from home sometimes comes with distractions, making it more cost-effective to work outside of the house (e.g. a coffee shop). Though I work in coffee shops often, I cannot have successful client calls with all of the loud chatter. So, buying day passes has allowed me to be in a quiet space with access to a phone booth. The space is also beautiful, so any time I’ve needed branding photos for either of my websites, I’ve had them taken at Ment; I bought a day pass for that as well.”

Kirsty Washam, owner of Fed Up Pharmacist: “The Ment Cowork day pass is perfect for my growing business. It gives me a quiet & professional space to work and meet clients. And all of my clients have had wonderful things to say about Ment! I’m thankful Bowling Green has a wonderful space like this.”

 

Click here to purchase a day pass and take your business to the next level. 

 

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