BarCamp4 Charlotte

You got ideas? Tell me.You want to do something? Show me.You got controversy? Bring it.

What we have here is Area Fifteen. You see, the building that captures 15th street and N. David son isn’t legally named Area Fifteen. Area Fifteen is not a company, an organization, and certainly not an individual. Area Fifteen, as people would say, is made up by the creative community of people in it.

If one had to define Area Fifteen in only two words, it would be “creative community.” There is simply too much going on here to narrow it down. A small business incubator? If you ignore the five non-profits that call this space home, absolutely.

Everyone here is re-defining their skill. Whether its jewelry, massage, music, real estate, painting or marketing, whatever you see here, has a twist to it.

There’s an edge to Area Fifteen too. Call these people conventional, and not only would they laugh at you, they’ll show you around so the conversation could start over. People are here because the conventional way of doing things has been done already. We need something fresh.

Something raw.

Not raw in a bad way, but in a new way. Controversy opens new ways of thinking. Debate challenges the current ways of thinking. Progress is the delicate balance of both. And Area Fifteen, as odd as it may be, teases that balance beautifully.

It’s not just the brick, wood, open ventilation and ceilings, the colors, and the like that make Area Fifteen raw. It is what’s happening around it. In it. The people. The activity.

Thank you for being a part of it.

Welcome to Area Fifteen.

Area Fifteen: Raw at its Best

October 9, 2010

Philip Dodds at BarCamp Charlotte 3

Birth of BarCamp in Charlotte

So how did BarCamp Charlotte start? Well the founder, Philip Dodds saw that there was a void in Charlotte – a startup culture – and decided that he was going to be the one to fill it. The idea of BarCamp is grounded in the mantra that it is important to share ideas in order for them to grow. With the idea of starting a BarCamp in Charlotte, Dodds then had to find a venue.

Cue Area Fifteen.

In a 23,000 sq. ft. space that one cannot help but be creative in, Area Fifteen was selected to be the host.

And the love story continues.

BarCamp Charlotte 4 is here, and continuing the tradition that Dodds and friends implanted. With professionals coming from across the board, BarCamp Charlotte has expanded from a technology conference to a conference about ideas.

The BarCamp Charlotte organizing committee appreciates the support the Charlotte community has shown. BarCamp Charlotte is made up by the attendees, and with your

awesome support, BarCamp Charlotte will only get better and better.

Tenant SpotlightGroup 15 Real Estate

Group 15 Real Estate is coming up on its one year anniversary in Area 15. We considered some “typical” office spaces and we considered locations that would lend itself to more traditional real estate consumer traffic. But, in all of our searching, nothing was quite like Area 15. When you walk into Area 15 you just get this “feeling.” Becoming a tenant at Area 15 is not just paying rent for space, it is joining a community – a community of people that care about each other’s mutual success.

In the year that we have been here we’ve been so excited to see some other great new tenants like Felicitea, JDW: The Charlotte Agency, Not Just Coffee, CLT Blog and more. We have seen these tenants serve as mutual resources to us and to them in a way that really has helped each of us grow our businesses. My favorite part of Area 15 is the 24-7 Prayer Room. If you have never been you need to treat yourself quickly. It is a space that is in a sense indescribable and can only be experienced. And while you are here we hope you stop by to see us at Group 15 Real Estate as well.

www.barcampclt.org | @barcampclt

Start CharlotteThe co-working, startup nurturer, Start Charlotte is planning:

Freelance Fridays freelancers can come to Start Charlotte and work in the space for free.

Startup ABCsA series of podcasts discussing the many elements of the startup culture.

Famous No.BodyHigh quality work, high quality professionalism, at a small business price. From film, photography to mixin’ and masterin’, They are your production house.

FeliciteaDo you have a membership to a gym, yoga, or Pilates studio? Prove it and you’ll receive a discount for Thai Yoga Bodywork.

Not Just Coffee The specialty coffee shop is open! Visit its Facebook page (/notjustcoffeeshop) for details.

JDW: The Charlotte Agency Most recently, the shop signed Holy Matrimony Wings & Pizza. Make sure you #CatchtheTruck @WingzzaTruck

CJS ArtCreating art through stripping and redefining the canvas and traditional commissioned art.

Y.E.S. and Spirit of UjimaThe two non-profits are teaming up to put on a 7v7 soccer tournament and a 5v5 basketball tourney this fall. Email [email protected] for details.

The Free StoreGive what you want, take what you need. The store appreciates the support and patronage of people from every walk of life.

Roca EternaThis music school is looking to teach vocals, drums, guitar, keyboard and more. Also recently it signed local artists to record.

Las Americas Dance StudioThe dance studio is open for teen and adult Latin dances.

CLT BlogThe next generation of local media. If there’s an event going on, the CLT Blog peeps will there.

Moazen JewelryA custom jewelry shop that has its heart in developing the community and providing high-quality products.

24-7Charlotte’s urban prayer room. Come here for camaraderie, meditation, or just to have a break from everyday life.

MudwerkArtisan plaster and concrete.

Trips for KidsA place where one learns how to take care of bikes, trade-in bikes and find bikes.

Counter Culture CoffeeThe regional training center is here in the Queen City. Every Friday at 10a.m. is a free coffee cupping.

Big Trouble StudiosMixed media studio, from design to fine art and illustration.

AveNocturna Photography Weddings, portraits and more. See http://www.cargocollective.com/avenortuna for more information.

What's Happening at Are a Fifteen?

Want to know more about the Area Fifteen tenants? Visit http://www.areafifteen.com to get the whole scoop

BarCamp Title

Sponsor Highlight

The Angel Forum of Charlotte

Wed | 3 is Charlotte’s Angel Network. As a group of angel investors and representatives of private investors, Wed | 3 ’s goal is to not only listen and critique the business plans and ideas of young and new companies, but if there’s a match, they open the opportunity of helping it grow.

Wed | 3 founder, Paul Solitario agrees with the environment that Area Fifteen is nurturing. Entrepreneurship should be looked at as fun, exciting, and profitable. Ideas, given opportunity and resources, can change the way a city or an industry operates.

BarCamp Charlotte 4 is thrilled to have Wed | 3 – The Angel Forum of Charlotte as its Title Sponsor.

See http://www.wed3.org for more information.

BarCamp Charlotte Newsletter

Writers Dwayne Waite Jr.Matthew Tringali

Editors Carlos EspinDwayne Waite JrJohn DermottBen Vandgrift

BarCamp Creative Team

Ryan BurkhartJohn DermottBermon Painter

BarCamp Charlotte Organizing Committee

Dwayne Waite JrCarlos EspinSummer PlumBen VandgriftJames Yoder

BarCamp Charlotte Volunteer Committee

Joni KennedyDavid KyleDavid ZimmermanBridget Sullivan

For more information about Area Fifteen, or to rent a space, please contact

Carlos via email at [email protected] or visit www.areafifteen.com

If you’d like to become a BarCamp sponsor or volunteer in the future, contact

[email protected]

BarCamp photos courtesy of James Willamor, Willamor Media