One year in at CenterFuse co-work space, foot traffic, networking events steady but memberships few

MANASSAS — CenterFuse, the co-working space in Downtown Manassas, celebrated its first year in business.

The open-air co-work space seats about 30 people and also includes three private offices to support entrepreneurs so they can start their business and have a place to work outside the home office, or a place where employees of established companies may work remotely.

From there, the idea is to have company founders eventually grow their businesses out of the co-work space and into new brick and mortar locations in Manassas.

Historic Manasass Inc. Director Debbie Haight is charged with overseeing operations at CenterFuse and said that the past 12 months had been a year of adaptations as HMI worked to refine the center’s offerings with small businesses in mind.

The center has held multiple informative lunch-and-learn sessions over the past year catered to business owners, but, broadly, CenterFuse has lacked the resources of a small-business incubator which can offer one-on-one counseling with entrepreneurs to help enterprises grow.

The center aims to offer more classes for budding entrepreneurs with its “Launch a Business” program. Originally planned to begin this past spring, the start was delayed to fall due to lack of attendees.

Participants who complete the program will have a written business plan at the conclusion, but a new start date for the class has not been announced. CenterFuse, so far, has failed to reach its target membership goals.

“It’s hard to have a goal if the target keeps moving,” said Haight, noting there has been much back and forth about the types of programming and resources CenterFuse should offer its clients.

At the end of the first quarter, CenterFuse has six regular members leasing dedicated seats, as well as two of three private offices filled with tenants, according to a report obtained from Manassas City Hall. The city in 2017 invested $200,000 into the center, which is jointly owned by Whitlock Wealth Management and ECU Communications.

The 1 Million Cups Prince William group relocated from the Hylton Performing Arts Center last fall to CenterFuse. It, along with other networking groups, have utilized the space to hold events.

Corrie Sirkin of Sirkin Law Firm rents a private office at the co-work space and is a proud member of CenterFuse.

“I love it,” said Sirkin. “CenterFuse, unlike other co-working locations, provides a full-time receptionist, copier, and fax machines along with access to conference rooms.”

Another benefit to working at CenterFuse — meeting like-minded business owners.

“Networking is easy because people come to you. And that doesn’t usually happen,” said Sirkin.

Haight said that one of the aims for this coming year is forging more partnerships like the one with 1 Million Cups Prince William.

“That is the one key thing that is going to keep us growing and bringing people through the door,” said Haight.

Sirkin agrees the center could benefit from more exposure to the public.

“CenterFuse hasn’t gotten as much traction as it deserves because co-working is not a totally understood concept,” she said.

Unlike other co-work spaces she’s seen, this one provides “more bang for your buck.”

Potomac Local Media, LLC also became a member business during CenterFuse’s first year and retains a mailbox at the center.

There are currently afternoon and evening programs that range from discussions of the dark web to retirement planning, and marketing a business.

CenterFuse is located at 9071 Center Street in Downtown Manassas and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Members with dedicated spots or private offices have access to the center anytime.

In addition to free coffee, the center also offers two conference rooms to its members. Memberships cost $250 a month for “grab a spot” plan, $400 a month for a dedicated seat, and $800 a month for a private office. Other options include a $75 virtual membership and a $35 day pass good for one day only.