The “works” behind Uptown Works: The Somerset coworking space launchpad for entrepreneurs and small businesses

Emily Korns, owner of Uptown Works, accompanied by several members during their fifth-anniversary celebration.

Startup Alleghenies works with many expert organizations in the region to support entrepreneurs every step of the way, from creating a functional business model to applying for grants. One of the exceptional resources in the Alleghenies region is Uptown Works, a flexible coworking space in Somerset that has been a springboard for a number of Startup Alleghenies entrepreneurs, including Metamorphosis Coaching & Consulting and Roni Bhullar Counseling.

The heart of Uptown Works is to offer a dedicated workspace for entrepreneurs that don’t have the resources to operate and furnish a full-sized office space. Owner Emily Korns compared it to an everyday gym membership. “Think of it like a ‘business gym,’” she said. “Sure, some people outfit their house with a full gym and all the equipment because they want to work out, but for most people that doesn’t make sense financially. They join a gym so they can use the space and equipment, access the classes, and make some like-minded friends.”

A flexible membership fee provides abundant benefits for business owners, like a fully-furnished professional workspace, meeting and conference rooms, high-speed internet and printing, and a mailing address and office phone line. Members pay based on what they need, ranging from a $5/hour day pass to a complete private office package for established businesses, as well as special rates for post-secondary students.  “Their flexible packages allowed me to scale my business as it grows, and the central location and easy parking make it convenient for my clients to find me,” said Roz Pugh, the Uptown Works Community Manager and owner of Business Services by Roz. They also offer a yearly membership to host a meeting once a month, perfect for service groups or committees. The membership gives groups a quiet environment to gather without the distractions of a public place.

Uptown Works is a place where we genuinely support each other’s success, and I’ve enjoyed seeing businesses thrive in our community.

The affordable cost and practical resources of the space make it the perfect location for small or startup businesses, leading to lots of connections in the entrepreneur world. “Uptown Works has always been closely connected to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and eventually Startup Alleghenies’ Matt Reckner and JARI put their Somerset offices right in the building, as well as Somerset, Inc.,” said Korns. “We have a lot of key services co-located right in our building.”

Private office space is a key feature, but most members emerge with a different kind of benefit: a supportive networking community. When Roz Pugh joined,her main focus was selling insurance, but being surrounded by the supportive community and meeting Startup Alleghenies coach Matt Reckner helped her to realize her own potential. “I expanded my business beyond insurance and started helping other small businesses grow,” said Pugh. “Uptown Works is a place where we genuinely support each other’s success, and I’ve enjoyed seeing businesses thrive in our community.”

“I would visit Uptown Works for telehealth calls and would see Roz Pugh, the office manager, quite often,” said Roni Bhullar of Roni Bhullar Counseling. “She brought up the idea [of starting a counseling business] a few times—her encouragement and her ever-present smile made me think I could do this,” said Bhullar.

Without a resource for small business owners like Uptown Works, my ability to make this venture possible would be largely limited.

Korns recognizes the networking potential behind the coworking space and hopes to maintain the thriving community atmosphere. “While Uptown Works doesn’t directly work with the entrepreneurs to launch a business, we’ve organically played the role of connector,” she said, “so when someone with a business idea walks in the door, we get them connected to the right people and we hope they will call this their business home.”

She says that Uptown Works has been an indirect launchpad for at least six new business concepts through the ideas-focused environment in the coworking space. Some of the startups that have built off of Uptown Works include Ponfeigh Distillery, Realty One Group realtors Lee Hoffman and Renee Eash, Legacy Accounting, 20/20 Property Services, and Wellness For Generations. “Someone meets someone at Uptown Works and they start talking, and they eventually start working on something new,” said Korns. “It’s really cool to watch.”

“Opening a business in a small town allows for rapid word-of-mouth advertising, lower overhead, more reasonable cost of living, and no rush hour,” said Bhullar. “Without a resource for small business owners like Uptown Works, my ability to make this venture possible would be largely limited.”

Uptown Works celebrated its five-year anniversary in July, thanks to Startup Alleghenies’ support in the crucial beginning period. “We were among the first businesses to utilize the entrepreneurship coach,” said Korns. “It’s been an exciting journey!”

Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.