The Middle: A Two-Year Reflection

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As short as two years really is, it feels like another lifetime ago. We are in the middle of the ride. As we reflect and celebrate this anniversary, we thought it would be fun for me to take a trip down memory lane of my time spent inside 911 College Street as Ment’s Brand + Community manager.

The Start Part 1

My beginning with “Ment” was one we will all never forget. (I will explain the quotations in a bit.) I had just moved back to Bowling Green after graduating in 2016 and living in Lousiville for a few years working as the PR Manager at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company. (Shoutout to my Peerless family!) Having no clue what coworking was at the time, I trusted my dear friend’s father, JD Haase, to have something really cool up his sleeve when he invited me into his office to meet with him and his assistant Valerie to discuss a potential job they had in mind for me.

That summer, I had a plan to take the GRE and apply for grad school at WKU, my alma mater, but anything past that was a wide-open agenda. I know now it was truly ment to be that JD offered me the job of being the community manager at Bowling Green’s first-ever coworking space… And I should have put my seat belt on then.

JD and Valerie welcomed me onto their team in April 2018. At this point, the second floor of the building was still in the construction trenches but the green carpet was gone and it was starting to shape into the beautiful workspace it is today.

I sat in through design meetings, marketing meetings, game-plan meetings, and took so many notes my hand almost fell off. I was a sponge who had no idea what I was soaking up, but just knew I needed to be of help when asked. 

The Start Part 2

Fast forward a month into May and we were starting to give tours that still needed a bit of imagination as we put the finishing touches on. We were gearing up for our soft opening, we had a tiny bit of press sent our way, which put our “first name” The Büro in the papers. I, being in PR, loved this! It was great promotion for bringing our brand new concept to BG.

I bet you’re wondering what I mean by our first name, right? Well, we aren’t going to dwell on the past, but let’s just say there was already a different coworking space in Miami, FL that had the name in which we had to, in turn, pivot as a business and desist using the name immediately. 

The reason I feel the need to share this very minor portion of the journey is to show how fast we reacted in a time of crisis. This happened to us on May 25, 2018, and we opened with a new name, new logo, new brand concept by June 13th.

AND we had our papers submitted to file for trademarking our now Ment Cowork by the first of June. It is truly crazy thinking about that. In the beginning, we had a team of professionals doing the marketing and branding for us. In the end, to create Ment, we had only us three. 

I knew at that point when I pulled nearly three all-nighters to create the Ment brand plus create a re-brand plan with a little bit of crisis public relations in the mix that it would be personal for me moving forward. 

 

The Middle

As Jimmy Eat World said, “It just takes some time, little girl you’re in the middle of the ride.”

Some days it feels bigger than just office space. I can bet most of us have felt this way about our jobs. Especially if it is something you have put so much time into, stress, literal blood, sweat, and tears. However, when you look at it in the grand scheme of things it won’t ever mean as much to those you are selling it to as it has meant to you.

Since June 13, 2018, I have worked to show every person I could how amazing I think not only Ment is but how special coworking is as an industry. And along the way, we have met and gained some amazing people who see it too and reap the benefits of a space like ours. That is what it is all about. That is why we are here. 

Every step of the way has been a learning process and still is. After all, we are only two! Ment is in the middle of the ride, and we know everything, everything will be alright, alright.

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Intern from Home

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Hello there! Sarah the intern here. You may not remember me since I have been working a lot behind the scenes at Ment the last few months. Since we last {virtually} met, a few things have changed. As I finished out my semester as a Junior at WKU and doing what I like to call  “college-ing from home,” I said yes to staying on with Ment for another round of internship. So let me re-introduce myself…

Quick Refresher

I’ve been the strategic marketing intern for the last few months and loving it! I’m now a senior at WKU majoring in strategic marketing (I think that’s the first time I’ve actually said that I’m a senior which is very weird, exciting, and scary all at the same time). However now, I have transitioned into Hannah’s old shoes as the digital media intern.  For the next few months, I’ll be managing and assisting with all things media related which includes writing our blogs! 

What I have been up to (COVID Edition)

Even though absolutely nothing has gone according to plan for the last few months, quarantine has been a great lesson for me to take things day by day even when we aren’t in the middle of a pandemic. That’s a lesson hard to remember sometimes, because I am someone who always looks for structure and likes to have a plan for everything I do. My grandma always says, “It is what it is,” and boy has this been an example of that mindset.  

With all of the craziness, I have had to adjust to being an intern, school-ing, socializing, and even living at home. I am one of the lucky ones who has a family and a home to go to during this time. However, I never expected to reside in Taylorsville, KY this long again. All of the adjustments have been tough in their own way and even as someone of the “technological age,” being in a time of only technology is trying. I have felt so much more burnt out after so much screen time, I spent days on end alone with my laptop watching video lectures and attending the occasional Zoom meeting. Raise your hand if you can relate! Let’s just say it has been much easier to binge One Tree Hill on Hulu or play with my dog or go on a drive.  

We’re all in this together

This time has been hard for everyone. Most people have been way more affected than I have. But we’ve all been affected because this pandemic does not discriminate. Through my adjustments and coping, I’ve been thinking (and missing) a lot about my life in BG. So I have compiled a list of what I use to take for granted and what I can’t wait to do when I get back in the fall.

I can’t wait to.. 

  • Go on trips to Spencer’s Coffee pretending to study with my friends
  • Give campus tours to excited high schoolers 
  • Walk through Grise hall and either freeze or sweat to death (there is no in-between in that building) 
  • Pull all-nighters studying for finals in the Honors College 
  • Go on midnight GADS runs 
  • Be in the church 
  • To actually get my homework done in Ment’s lounge 

During this time I’ve especially been missing Ment. I miss the people I work with and of course, our mascot Stevie. Every day that I physically was working at Ment, I felt ten times more productive and the quality of my work was noticeably better. To sum up, I wish that I was writing this blog from within the walls of 911 College Street, Suite 203! But I’m still so excited to have the opportunity to continue learning about the coworking world and more about marketing, professional use of social media, branding, and more. As for right now though, I’ll settle for a summer of working from my couch as I cowork with my dog, Morgan.  

 

 

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Interning Through a Pandemic

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As an intern during my first ever “PR gig,” it’s been a time to be alive. I’ve learned quite a bit about what my future PR job may consist of, but needless to say, nothing has prepared me quite like working in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. 

The biggest thing I have learned to do: adapt. 

I thought I knew what this meant. You plan out all of your posts (I heart you Hootsuite) and change them a little as you go. Trending topics? You write a blog on them of course. You plan out this really cute post about how it is a beautiful day outside – and then it ends up raining on that day. Bummer but no biggie right? You exchange a few words and replace “sunny” with “rainy” and voila! 

 

Reality

But then “disaster” strikes *cue the scary sound effects* and you are forced to redo months’ worth of content. All of that hard work, all of the well thought out content and photos that you took and they are now gone. It’s another few days behind the computer rethinking everything. Canceling the event you were working so hard on and living on the internet as you now go into “crisis mode.” 

You’re now producing emails that are as compassionate but also as immediate as you can to send to clients, customers, and community members. Posting on social media constantly and updating the public on how you are taking precautions and what this means for you all as a business (even though you’re still figuring it out yourselves). 

I probably made this sound awful, but the reality? It woke me up quickly to what the PR world is really like. Did it scare me? A little. But did it send me running? Definitely not. As they say – you have to see something in its darkest moments to really love it right? Well, PR…I still love you. 

In a perfect world where I love to have everything planned out and know what to expect, this was not ideal for me but like many other things, we must ADAPT. And so I did just this. 

In fact, it kicked my but into gear. I was more motivated than ever to turn this into my opportunity to create something new and different. It presented me with a challenge and if nothing else, gave me a reason to still get out of bed early during this whole quarantine life. 

 

What it taught me

A few keywords and phrases to describe what has been proven to be the most important: 

Adapting, innovation, creativity, set yourself apart, communication and crisis communication, determination, quick on your feet, don’t give up, teamwork, ideas ideas ideas (that’s one phrase) and growth…just to name a few. 

So with all of this being said, I am choosing to turn all of this into a “good” thing…after all, that’s what we’re all trying to do right? To find the good in all of this madness? So when someone asks me how my first ever public relations internship went my answer will be – hectic. 

After a strange look, I will follow with “insightful.” I learned how to adapt, and re-evaluate and more than anything – to grow. So when I have my next interview and someone asks that dreaded “tell me a time when you had to solve a problem and how did you do it?” question, you can guarantee I will have an answer for that one! 

Who knows, this could just be my “leg up” in the world of public relations.  

Needless to say – I am currently trying to figure out how to add “Ment Cowork Digital Media Intern (and kicking butt during a pandemic)” to my resume. Subtle right? 

 

Here’s the hard part

Oh, did I mention my time at Ment Cowork has come to an end? That’s right guys, I am parting ways with my new favorite Bowling Green space and one that will always be in my heart. From creating my first official press release and campaign plan to being part of planning events, building relationships, and creating content, I am more confident moving toward a future in PR. I even reinvigorated my passion for writing through my newfound love of blogging! 

Ment Cowork and my amazing community manager Hayley Kruth inspired me to keep improving and pushing toward what I love. Our building owner JD has shown me what can happen when you truly put 110% into everything you do. My time at Ment has inspired me to better myself, my brand, my image, and everything in between! 

As I figure out what my summer (post-pandemic) looks like, I will then be finishing my last year of college to receive my double major in photojournalism and public relations, and as always, making my own opportunities as I go along. 

On the other hand, our fellow Ment Marketing intern, Sarah Tipton (round of applause for all of her amazing work this semester as well!) will be taking over for me in the following weeks as the new digital media intern this summer. Get ready for some more amazing content and keep your eyes open for what happens next. The world of work as we know it is about to change and I cannot wait to see how Ment Cowork thrives.  

 

See ya later Ment!  

 

Feel free to keep up with me via social! 
hannahvanover.com 
@_hannah_vanover_
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Let’s Move Into May

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From a few backyard workout sessions to a community-wide movement, our latest community partner Allison Millet of Bowling Green Backyard Bootcamp has taken her business from her home to all around the Bowling Green community.

We could all use a little extra motivation right now and that’s where our fitness friend Allison Millet comes in!

“There are ways that we can all have more movement. It’s about finding ways to focus on you.” 

 

About Allison

Allison has been a coach for over 20 years and has taken her passion for fitness to the next level since the start of her backyard workouts in 2010. 

What started as a small group of people began to grow until the lot beside her home was no longer sufficient. She soon found herself asking, “Now what?” 

Millet now holds classes at multiple parks and locations throughout the community and has an inside gym location during winter months. 

Backyard Bootcamp is made up of a team of coaches all offering their own set of classes from yoga and stretching, to classes designed specifically for glutes, abs, upper body, and more, along with mash-up and all-encompassing workout classes. Basically, if you need it, they offer it! 

The classes are focused on helping bootcampers find the best version of themselves that they can be – one that is healthier and happier. 

 

Working out your mind

As we know, it’s mental health awareness month so we’re all trying to focus on our health a little more here lately, right? Did you know practicing a little extra movement can be just the way to do that?! No, I promise this isn’t a gimmick to make you put down the wine glass and hop on the treadmill – it’s me simply reminding you that getting up and getting out (in your front yard or on your yoga mat that is) may be just what the doctor ordered. 

“It’s a stress reliever… working out releases those happy endorphins,” says Allison. 

Studies show that we’re not lying guys! You’re hearing this straight from the mouth of someone who can barely touch her toes most days, so believe me when I tell you that having a little extra time on my hands lately to practice yoga has been an excellent relief for me. The best part is? You don’t even have to be good at it! You just have to do it.  

 

Making it happen

Allison also spoke on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle by doing things such as practicing healthy eating habits and enjoying the simple things in life like spending time with family and being in the moment. 

The local business owner has not let the current circumstances get the best of her. When regulations were put in place, she was quick to adapt and switch to an online format for all of her classes. Allison stays connected mainly via Facebook with a group page specifically for those who are members or what she calls “bootcampers.” All calendars and weekly challenges are now online and can be found on the calendar on her website.

Classes are offered on a 6-week basis allowing people to sign up ahead of time and take part in the bootcamp experience. (Ment members — you guys are in for a treat!) As of right now, all community members are invited to join the classes at any time. Another perk with the new format: bootcampers currently have access to the online “vault” of all previously recorded classes, allowing everyone to work out on their own time. 

For more details (trust me you’re gonna want to see all of the awesome things she is doing) check out her website and start moving toward a better you! 

 

Moving on up (and hopefully outside) 

We’re moving in a direction of our own here at Ment Cowork. One that includes taking steps to get back on track as a bit of normality creeps back into our daily routines. Here’s to hoping, better yet knowing, that our partner Allison can help us out with this one! Whether we’re fighting the daily struggles of COVID-19 or fighting to shed those pesky pounds, success is just a kick, punch, and a few “you can do it!”-s away.

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Our Newest Mentern

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Hello everyone! My name is Sarah Tipton and I am the newest ‘mentern’ here at Ment Cowork! I am a junior at Western Kentucky University majoring in strategic marketing. I am so excited to finally gain some real world experience in my field. It is my goal to learn more through this internship than I have in the classroom. My duties here will include creating a market strategy for us and a plan as we move forward. 

My future plans and goals are as unpredictable as a magic 8 ball. I feel like I have no idea what my future holds. That thought used to scare me, but I know God’s watching out for me. But for today at least, my plan is to immediately get my MBA after undergrad and then off to Nashville or Louisville. Though my dream would be to move to London for a couple of years first and travel on as many weekends as I could! 

A Little Bit of Background

I grew up on a beef cattle farm in Taylorsville, KY. One of my “fun facts” is that I went to a Christian school where my graduating class was only 4 people. Yes, you read that correctly, there were four of us. WKU was a big change after that, but I absolutely love it and try to stay as involved as possible: I am a member of Omega Phi Alpha, an ambassador for the Honors College, a counselor for honors freshman orientation (H4), and a member of Women in Business. I try to stay busy, but occasionally  “busy” means that I am at my apartment watching Friends, Gilmore Girls, or maybe even Hannah Montana. Don’t judge, it’s called #selfcare.  

What ‘Type’ of Person Sarah Is

I am a 6 on the enneagram and in Ravenclaw house so I am loyal, hardworking, paranoid, and seek safety, I tell everyone just to imagine a golden retriever in human form. As an avid coffee and pasta lover, I enjoy traveling and even spent last spring at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England! During the trip, I was able to visit 13 countries in just 4 months. I have also gone on a cross country RV trip with my family, so travel is my middle name, when I can afford it at least. I also enjoy things like cooking, listening to Crime Junkie (which makes me extra paranoid), puns, taking care of my plants, and too much online shopping—rip to my bank account. 

Her -ment Word

Lastly, I must reveal to you all what my “ment” word is! I wanted to choose one that no one has yet, and I have chosen…. fulfillment. In the past I have always felt like there was more that I needed to be doing and I worried about the “what if’s.” I constantly felt stressed by this. Therefore a goal I have for myself is to find fulfillment. Whether it is in where I am or by the things that I have been blessed with in the moment I am in. I hope to learn to let go of my fears and enjoy the moment. I look forward to my time at 911 College Street being a time to push me out of my comfort zone, but also teaching me not worry about the things yet to come.

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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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Community Over Competition: Breaking it Down

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Community over competition. We’ve heard it a thousand times, we preach it, but sometimes it can be hard to believe it. Fear gets in the way. We get it, we’ve been there and totally understand. 

 

Let me just say this for those in the back row who need to hear it: No matter the industry you’re in…saturated or not, you are needed. You are wanted! You have the potential to bring something to the table that no one else can simply for the reason that you are you. We were each created as unique individuals with a purpose, so find that purpose and chase the heck out of it. Quit comparing yourself to others and stay true to who you are. 

 

Okay, now that that has been said, I would just like to mention that there is nothing wrong with friendly competition. We all want to be the best, and to do so we must do our best, but in doing so that does not mean putting others down along the way. Rather than envying the person conquering goals next to you, compliment them. Learn from them and find what works for you. 

 

Find your people, the ones who will cheer you on but also let you know when you’re in the wrong. Now do the same for them! This community should inspire you for continued growth and if they aren’t…you should probably find new people. 

 

This is what coworking is all about. On the second floor of 911 College Street, we have graphic designers, engineers, leadership strategists, etc. We are cultivating a community full of a variety of small businesses who all share different strengths and weaknesses. 

 

Last week, women of all ages gathered together in our space to hear from life coach Kathryn Freeburg about what it really means to empower. Ment was a safe space full of positivity and love, something we strive for each and every day. 

 

At the end of the day, we are only human. Humans require positive interaction and a community to lean on. If you show up for your community and your clients, they will do the same for you. We are not ment to walk through this life alone. 

 

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Ment To Thrive

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An Empowerment workshop & inside look on Kathryn Freeburg’s journey as a life coach

Everyone has a unique story and I truly believe that everyone’s story is worth sharing. So here is mine…. I grew up in Bowling Green, KY, but I was adopted from Guatemala as a baby. I went to Bowling Green High School and Western Kentucky University. It took me almost 10 years to graduate from college and little did I realize that I was showing myself what I would be helping others believe today: you get to decide the timeline of your life and what you do with it.  I am married to my wonderful and strong husband, Tim, and we have two golden retrievers: Chip and Joanna (yes, like Fixer Upper) and two labs Boom and Blitz (named after the Seattle Seahawks mascots). Our house is full of love and dog hair and we wouldn’t want it any other way, except for a stronger vacuum. I met my husband Tim on a plane as I was on my way to Canada to meet my biological brothers, who I found over Facebook, for the first time… but that’s a story for another day. 

 

Up until the last couple of years, I allowed the opinions of others and society’s “rules” decide my life for a while. I let people influence how I dressed, what I ate, watched or said – I even let them influence what I thought about myself. While I have been very fortunate to have lived an overall  happy life, it hasn’t happened without its fair share of heartache, ugly cries, low bank accounts, anxiety and challenges. But I wanted more than just a happy life- I wanted to live an abundantly joyful life. It wasn’t until my entrepreneurial husband encouraged me to go to a personal growth workshop by Tony Robbins that I realized that I wasn’t serving my purpose and more importantly, myself. After many conversations, budgeting, panic attacks, dreaming and pints of Cookies N Cream ice cream we decided as a family that I would quit my full time job with benefits and I would pursue my dream of being a life coach. Talk about sweaty palms when I turned in my resignation! I remember the day that I walked out of my job for the last time as an employee that I only felt peace and excitement for what I was about to do. I guess you could say that I “Marie Kondo’d” my job and thanked it for helping me pay my bills and meet some incredible individuals who were vessels for some amazing moments, but most importantly I was thankful to my job for showing me that I didn’t have to work a traditional job for my life to have meaning and that I didn’t want to. I want to live a life how I decide and with whom I decide. 

 

Fast forward through trainings, self growth, quiet hustling like a ninja, some anxiety and lots of dance parties in my car with my husband when successes came and here I am. A life coach who is serving others and building a community that is based on love, kindness, compassion and inclusion. I have the privilege to work with individuals of all ages and small groups to help them feel loved and step into who they were born to be: whoever they want to be. 

 

You are here to thrive as you decide. You are not here to be complacent and do the motions of what your friends, mom, boss, teacher, significant other or society as a whole tells you to do. You are here to thrive as individuals to bring your talents and gifts to the community table to help others. As you gain knowledge, confidence and unbury your dreams you step into the state of thriving. You step into the state of gratitude, humility, self confidence, and see yourself for who you are and love it every step of the way. You step into you and who you were born to be. 

 

As your life coach, I stand as your unconditional advocate. I meet you where you are right now and show up to help you grow into the person or place you envision, together. From here on out, you are never alone. I will always be in your corner, even and especially if there are times when it feels like no one else is. You are already worthy of anything and everything you dream of. All you have to do is take one step forward – I’ve got you. I see you. 

 

You are loved and needed in this world. You have a story to share and a life worth living. I am ready to stand with you, but you have to decide when. It is either one day or day one – which one will you choose? 

 

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