Owners of a cooperative workspace that opened in Santa Clarita this month say they are already considering franchising their business. Kreativ Cooperative Workspace, which opened in a Santa Clarita business park on May 2, has provided workspace for about 200 people so far, said Nathan Ryan, co-founder of Kreativ. The 4,200-square-foot cooperative, located at 28049 Smyth Dr., caters to creative freelancers in the Santa Clarita Valley, who would normally work in coffee shops or from home. Kreativ is attracting customers from as far as the San Fernando Valley, Ryan said, noting one recently traveled from La Cañada. And creative professionals from as far south as Orange County are calling for information about purchasing temporary space, he said. “Franchising is definitely a possibility for us, especially in locations where you won’t find shared office space,” said co-founder Antonio Diaz. Ryan said moving into a larger local venue is another option for future expansion. Here’s how Kreativ works: The cooperative offers its customers access to three private offices, a conference room, a dedicated art gallery and classroom, a medical production studio and a communal “workbar” area. To use the workspace, professionals have the option of purchasing day passes, or memberships on a weekly, monthly or annual basis. Pricing and availability of space varies based on customers’ needs at any given time. Kreativ charges visitors $19 for a day pass, $379 for a workbar month pass and $519 for a private office month pass, Ryan said. The conference room also is available for members. “Our monthly rate is so far below what you would pay for an office,” Ryan said. “Most creative people don’t want an office. They want a space that feels like home.” Freelance music producer Steven Leavitt, said he uses Kreativ’s workbar a couple times a week. He said using the space has helped him to cut fuel expenses since he lives closer to Kreativ than his studio in Canyon Country. “(Kreativ is) thoroughly needed in our spread-out suburban landscape,” Leavitt said. “In Santa Clarita, people don’t connect with each other the way they need to, so Kreativ is a place for that to occur.” Leavitt said working at Kreativ has already helped him network with local graphic designers and Web programmers to finish a blog project for his Web site. He said he has already hired one person through his connections. Creating a Hub Kreativ’s founders say they would like to see the new space become more than a place to get work done. “We’re hoping to see this place turn into a … hub for arts and culture,” Ryan said. “Santa Clarita’s not exactly known for its art scene, but there are a lot of creative people here.” Kreativ also has the potential to become a destination for businesses looking to hire freelancers, he said. Susan Fujiki, a local freelance writer and blogger, said has seen how Kreativ encourages collaboration. Now instead of working in a noisy coffee shop, Fujiki says she works side-by-side with other freelancers, who she can turn to for questions or ideas. “You can network with other people, and at the same time, see if they have any work they need help with,” she said.
