Top Ten Reasons to Join Knoxville Overground.

1. IT’S A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR YOU, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

Not seeing the results you want to see in your life or with your business?  Don’t blame yourself – instead take a second look at your life management system and your work environment.  Trying to do everything by yourself either out of home or a coffee shop is like asking a CEO single-handedly of a company to manage, operate, and maintain a company all on their own.  Undoubtedly life is easier when you get plugged into a community where everyone is also independent, entrepreneurial, or self-employed and focused on continual improvement.  When everyone faces similar challenges and shares common goals – it eases the burdens you face and frees up your time so that you can focus on the things that bring you balance and personal growth.

2.  BOOST SALES.

When you’re working out of a coffee shop or out of the house, it’s hard to get the word out about what you’re doing.  But when you’re a part of a community where everyone is well connected, suddenly you’re within one to three degrees of separation of just about everyone you need to know.  That’ll help your sales more than advertising ever could, for starters.

3.  CONTINUAL LEARNING.

We’re establishing programs that can help you stay in the loop that’ll include book clubs, lectures, classes, workshops, and seminars about life design, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility.  Learning how to start up a company or manage a small business shouldn’t feel like bushwhacking a new trail each and every time you’re trying to figure out the most efficient way to complete a task.

4.  CREDIBILITY.

Through programs we’re helping to put together like the Better Startup Bureau (BSB), your startup can affix a “seal” on its literature and website which will signify it’s passed a third-party independent review committee as being a credible, well-researched, and well-defined endeavor.  Finding talent and investment all of the sudden becomes a lot easier.

Beyond that, just being a member of Knoxville Overground helps build your personal credibility as well – your affiliation shows that you’ve gone through our interview process and agree to our professional code of ethics. 

Opportunities also always will exist to engage in short-term projects with fellow KO members, allowing you to build trust and experience with other prospective partners so that in the future, assembling a team for a larger project becomes easier.

5.  STRUCTURE.

How you set up your daily routines and weekly schedule is up to you – but Knoxville Overground provides both voluntary and mandatory events through its community calendar.  It also encourages you to keep your schedule public so that you can receive constructive feedback on how to maximize your work time and get the most out of your efforts.

6.  PROXMITY.

Assuming we can sign up enough memberships quickly enough, the location we’d like to move into is located at 35 Market Square.  That means you’ll be close to everything you need.  Need to meet with a client?  There are at least a dozen trendy restaurants within walking distance.  Need to explore a business opportunity?  Walk over to the Chamber of Commerce next door and ask, “with whom do I need to speak?”  Need to get a license, a permit, or talk with a City official?  Everyone you would need to talk to is going to be within walking distance.  Plus, you’re in good company – now of days a lot of the tech startups and progressive organizations are all migrating downtown so that they can be in the center of the revitalization.

7.  COLLABORATION.

Trying to start a company without looking at the big picture is like planning a road trip without a map.  Through open collaboration, you’re able to see the big picture and assess things like who else is trying to do what you’re doing, what kind of market exists for your service or product line, and what kind of partnerships you could develop over the long-term with others in Knoxville’s entrepreneurial community.

8.  OPEN-MINDED CULTURE.

Think you’re going to start the next Google?  Ok, we may still think you’re crazy, but we’re willing to listen to your ideas!  While we also may not always agree collectively on a myriad of issues, we all believe in the importance of creating forums where all ideas and viewpoints are heard and respecting every person’s right to voice their viewpoints respectfully in a supportive environment.

9.  PUBLIC SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES.

Our public service culture is about helping to implement change, not just provide charity, within our community.  We believe that strong communities are made of strong individuals and collectively we support social endeavors that seek to empower citizens with capital, free-time, and the resources they need so that they have the liberty to take direct action to build a more sustainable, just, and open society that upholds the public interest.

10.  COMMUNITY.

We think it’s not only healthy, but also possible, to mix work and social life.  Knoxville Overground is a great place to meet new friends and build meaningful relationships with people who committed to both your personal and professional success.  We are from all over – some of us are from the big cities like San Francisco and New York City while others of us are locals – but in any case, there’s room for you no matter what your story.  Through potlucks to weekend excursions, Knoxville Overground is a way to create a work + life balance where you can work hard and play hard, too.