Here is the ultimate freelancer’s work space dream: a place with free unlimited coffee, fast internet connection, reliable power source, and a pleasant, cold weather.
I met Ace Estrada, president of Benguet ICT Council and founder of Calle Uno, a few weeks ago when I went to Baguio for my talk for Philam Life. I was invited to come over and check out Calle Uno. It’s a beautiful, old three-storey house with wide grounds converted to a co working space complete with training facilities, conference rooms, AV room, event spaces, and a pantry.
Dreams do come true at Calle Uno, the first co working and collaboration space in Baguio, which offers all the facilities you need to do your work and be productive, plus it also serves as a venue for social interactions that working from home simply cannot provide.
In this episode, Ace shares his insights on how Baguio is shaping up to be an emerging IT, BPO, and startup hub and how Calle Uno is helping achieve this vision for the summer capital of the Philippines.
Calle Uno is more than a computer shop and a coffee shop rolled into one. It functions both as a co working and collaborative space where startups and solopreneurs benefit from being surrounded by like-minded individuals with a chance of igniting ideas in what Ace refers to as ‘collisions’. Just a month into full business operation, Calle Uno already has 15 members and several companies have already conducted trainings and workshops in their event spaces.
If you live in Baguio or if you happen to be in Baguio on September 18, bring your friends and drop by for Calle Uno’s Grand Launch. Be inspired by talks from successful startup founders in the country, join the job fair, or try out their 300Mbps internet connection. Unlimited coffee on the house too! Free admission.
Highlights
- How Calle Uno evolved from a school for home-based English teachers
- Baguio City as an emerging hub for BPO and IT businesses
- Why Baguio City is the ideal place where new businesses can flourish
- Challenges of putting up the first co working space in Baguio
- Calle Uno’s amenities
- Collisions in coworking spaces
- Future plans for Calle Uno including a Volkswagen Combi food park and as a venue for Ted Talks franchise
- Comparison of Calle Uno rates vs. traditional office expenses
- Companies using Calle Uno’s facilities
- Programs currently held in Calle Uno
- Calle Uno’s Grand Launch
Quotes
Ace on being a serial entrepreneur:
“I’ve had more businesses that failed than succeeded but that’s the whole idea and the whole lesson that I’m teaching to people should they care to listen. Never be afraid to try out an idea, who knows… it might work out.”
Ace on the lesson he learned from his years as an entrepreneur:
“You always have to add value to anything you sell to set you apart from everyone else.”
Links and Resources
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