Kiln Startup Showcase Accepted Applicants

At Kiln, we’re in the business of supporting our local communities. This year, we’ve witnessed the power, resilience, and grit of small businesses in Utah and Colorado. It’s more important than ever before to Shop Small and Shop Local this holiday season so we dedicated the whole month of December to supporting small businesses. This initiative consisted of shopping locally for member events, gifting local business gift cards to our members, and posting weekly small business guides. If you'd like to find small businesses to shop, eat, and experience, check out our Instagram page for the full list! Our Utah Gift Guide features local businesses, pop-up shops, and artists. Here’s the rundown:At lonelyghost.co find amazing tees, hoodies, masks, keychains, and more. Shop online, or visit their brand new storefront in Lehi!Salt and Honey Market is a retail collective -- here you’ll find something for everyone. Shop books, art, prints, apparel, accessories, jewelry, stationery, and beauty products online or in stores in Salt Lake or Murray. For the sweet tooth in your life, try Ritual Chocolate in Park City and Heber. Try the subscription box for limited edition treats. You won’t regret it. For the beauty guru turned beer lover, Batch Twenty-One is a Salt Lake-based, hand-crafted skincare line incorporating hemp and hops in their products. Support local artists through the Park City Summit County Art Council’s Brand PC Holiday Pop-Up Shop. It’s located on Park City’s Main Street through Dec 31st and features ornaments, jewelry, merchandise, ceramics, and flowers designed by local creators. Lucky Penny Publications covers all things kids and national parks. Their children’s books do not disappoint. Thyme and Place is a local go-to for your next houseplant or last-minute holiday wreath. Visit in SLC! In Colorado, our gift guide is perfect for Kiln’s outdoor adventurers and the apres-ski obsessed. Check out: ZealOptics for skiing goggles and sunglasses that are eco-friendly! Jones + CO Modern Mercantile for artisan-crafted and environmentally friendly loungewear, hats, and all things beauty and wellness. Stop by on Pearl, just down the street from Kiln Boulder, and pick up the perfect work-from-home outfit for your day off the slopes. Miriam’s for the comfiest women’s sweater. And same-day delivery to Boulder County! The oldest bike shop in Boulder, Full Cycle, for all of your cycling needs from tune-ups to rentals to gear. It's a one-stop-shop kind of place. Cured Boulder for the ultimate picnic setup, apres-ski charcuterie board, and hand-picked wine and booze to go. It’s a place that’s all about preserving personal connection to food, and they’ve got it down. Topo Designs in Denver and Fort Collins for packs and bags, hiking accessories, and all of your outfitting needs for your next backcountry adventure.Cedar & Hyde Mercantile for minimalist and envy-inducing home and lifestyle decor.This year, a gift from a local shop or creator will mean more to your loved ones than ever. Our artists and designers are the heart of our communities, and many of our most cherished traditions are inspired and organized by them. Bring their work into your homes and hearts this year for the holidays.PS: If you’ve already done your holiday shopping, make sure to support local businesses by liking and resharing their social media, leaving Google and Yelp reviews, and spreading the word to your friends and family. Or pay it forward and support your local favorites by purchasing gift cards for a guilt-free shopping spree post-pandemic. At Kiln, we’re all about uplifting the communities that we call home.

Dec 18 — Community

Transforming Your Workspace with Gratitude

You may hear about the health benefits of practicing gratitude in your daily life, but do you ever think to carry that practice into your work place?“Gratitude is the ultimate performance-enhancing substance at work,” says Professor Robert Emmons, a gratitude researcher and psychology professor at UC Davis. Here are some ways to start cultivating an attitude of gratitude at work:Make time to see the good. Work can feel busy and hectic, with little time to spare. We are all in need of those “brain breaks” in between projects and meetings, but how are you spending yours? Instead of picking up your phone or scrolling through social media, take a moment to step back, breath, and look around you. Create the space to open your eyes and see the good in front of you. Write it out. At the end of your workday, write down three wins. You may have challenging days, but there is always something positive you can dig up. Meeting a deadline, committing to a lunch break, etc. Leave your list somewhere visible so you can see it and start your next day with some momentum. Compliment a co-worker. It is easy to get caught up in our personal lives and our own work, but taking the time to compliment a co-worker can go a long way. Pause to notice others accomplishments and get to know your team a little better. Doing so will boost those around you and create a more positive work environment. Give a note. Take time to write your colleagues notes filled with compliments and gratitude. Not only does this help you be more aware of those around you, but it lifts others spirits and creates a better team bond. Gratitude is a practice and takes work, but it can make a real change in your work environment. So start practicing today! Resource: https://workforce-resources.manpowergroup.com/development/how-to-practice-gratitude-at-work

Nov 23 — Community

Empowering Women: A Livestream Discussion

To commemorate October, Women in Small Business month, our team linked arms with the Women in Business Center of Utah to host an experienced panel of women across Utah and Colorado. Our panel was full-stacked with Linda Klug, Founder & CEO of Airin, Krista Morgan, General Partner of Stage, Rose Maizner, Co-Founder of Womenpreneurs, and Kristy Muir, Sr. Director, Head of Strategy & Operations Bridge at Instructure. Each of these women have extensive backgrounds in the venture and startup community and gave incredible insight to what it takes to find your place in the entrepreneurial world. You can still watch their discussion here. In this event, we talked through different questions like: What resources and networks did you leverage to successfully start and grow your business? How did you find and recognize champions that would help you develop your career? How do small business owners approach or break through your network? What steps should I take to build my small business? And what has been your biggest failure in growing your business and what did you do to pivot? Linda, Krista, Kristy, and Rose shared personal experiences on how they made relationships, went out of their comfort zones, and found mentors and advisors to champion them to success. You won't want to miss out on their advice. If you have questions for any of the women, reach out to them on LinkedIn or Twitter or find them at their organizations.

Nov 17 — Community

Kiln Boulder Theater Event Space Art Pop up

Boulder Local Artist Pop-Up

The first local art installation and pop-up show took place this past Thursday at Kiln's Boulder location. Steven Morrell, Carmen Richards and Onecho Usubillaga were the three Boulder-based artists that showcased various pieces for the event.The installation, Dive In, was meant to depict various iterations of living in the present and celebrating moments of connection and focus. The works will remain on display throughout the end of November, so please book a tour of Kiln and come and check them out!This cultural event showcases the versatility of our space, from a classic theater to an impromptu art gallery. We would be delighted to continue integrating with the community at the local level, so please get in touch with your closest Kiln location to plan your next event.

Nov 16 — Community

Misty Robotics at Kiln Coworking Office in Boulder Colorado

Boulder Startup Spotlight Series Round 1

We’re new to Boulder, but we’re diving right in. Our goal is to get to know more about the robust startup ecosystem that exists here. There are hundreds of Boulder-based startups, working on products ranging from unsupervised machine learning to robotics to genome engineering. Each month, we’ll cover a few we think you should have on your radar. Spark Grills: Forbes Most Innovative Grill 2020Spark Grills is combining the smoke, flavor, and sizzle of a charcoal-burning grill with the ease and durability of the classic, gas grill. And, the grills look sleek with their cutting-edge design. They’re all the buzz and will elevate your apres-ski cookout, or mix up the monotony of cooking at home. With recent press from New York Times Style Magazine, Gear Patrol, Dwell, Forbes, and TechCrunch, many people agreed that this would be the perfect addition to cold winter nights and summer cookouts alike. We’ve included Spark Grills in our Boulder startup series because their HQ is based here, and some manufacturing takes place locally. Founder, Benjamin West, has identified a clearly articulated problem: in the transition to the convenience of gas grills, we’ve lost the essence of true barbecue. Now, foodies, home-cooks, and science geeks can all get behind the Spark Grill because it has oven-like precision, reaches temps of 900F, and is easy to clean up. West has a proven track record with his last company, EcoZoom, which brought high efficiency cookstoves to areas in the developing world that are plagued with indoor air pollution. We’re excited to keep up with Spark Grills as it grows! Misty Robotics: an Innovative and Magical Web Development ProgramUsually, robots are a tool for roboticists. Not anymore. Misty Robotics is bringing its robots to developers, so that they can more efficiently complete business, personal, research, and educational projects. You can send Misty commands, or extend her powers through API integrations. Some use their Misty Robot as a concierge -- she can detect humans in the room, localize their location, greet them, and answer their questions. Founded in 2017 and based locally in Boulder, this team is a powerhouse and their product is sure to revolutionize the office and home space through robotics. Fun fact: Misty Robotics screened all of our guests at our VIP opening party in October, 2020. TeamSnap: a Mobile and Web-based Team Management SoftwareWhen TeamSnap launched their first-beta in 2007, CEO David Dupont and Chief Creative Officer, Andrew Berkowitz, envisioned a streamlined way for coaches, players, and families to communicate and coordinate about their sports teams. Now, they’ve got 23 million users in 196 countries, and so many rely on their easy-to-use solutions for communication, scheduling, payment collection, registration, and real-time game sharing. Though TeamSnap is 10+ years old, and resembles a scaled team and company structure, we thought we’d give David and Andrew a shout out here. They are both Boulder locals who have brought enormous innovation to the startup ecosystem, and believe in a healthier, happier, and more connected world through sports. We agree wholeheartedly! Check back in next month for another round of our Boulder startup series. Until then, pop into Kiln Boulder and meet leaders and champions in the local tech ecosystem. You never know who you’ll run into!

Jan 19 — Startups

Stay connected to our community

Work From Home: Will it Stay or Will it Go?

The short answer is both. Any lingering skepticism about the efficiency and feasibility of remote work has all but dissipated throughout 2020. Still, concerns about teamwork, startup and small business culture, and work-life balance in a primarily remote structure are lingering. There’s undeniable discord to reconcile. At Kiln, we’ve taken a closer look at some recent trends like de-densification, emerging startup ecosystems, and flexible corporate real estate strategies. This information gives us insights that may be useful in your business and personal planning. On de-densification and emerging startup ecosystems: In 2020, de-densification became a buzzword as businesses sought to limit the capacity of their workspaces or retail spaces as a Covid-19 safety precaution. But de-densification also refers to the movement of people and startups out of large cities. Entrepreneurs are finding new hubs. Let’s take the Bay Area, Salt Lake City, and Denver as examples. Recent articles in Crunchbase and Utah Business, by Sophia Kunthara and Izzy Howell, respectively, provide insight into the movement of startup ecosystems. There are two trends at play. First, Bay Area tech companies are identifying Utah and Colorado as talent hubs. They are opening secondary offices or even relocating HQs to cities like Salt Lake and Denver. Companies like Google, Facebook, Salesforce, Gusto, Robinhood, and companies they’ve acquired are prime examples. Second, this process is driving internal expansion in towns like Salt Lake and Denver; local companies are raising capital at an astounding rate, saving on the cost of living, albeit marginally, and identifying and fostering the next generation of local talent. Concerns over the talent pool and maturity of the tech scenes in Salt Lake and Denver are antiquated. And there are more winning points associated with Utah and Colorado. Strong universities, proximity to the West Coast, increased ease of nationwide travel, sustainable lifestyle, outdoorsy culture, and diversity of thought are compelling and enticing examples.In the Utah Business article, Jordan Staples says, “A less-discussed aspect of Utah’s lifestyle is that, unlike the Bay Area, Utah doesn’t have the long commutes, the expensive lifestyle, or the inaccessibility of nature. Instead, we have an ease of life, a family-first mentality, and a love of the great outdoors.” We’re inclined to agree. On flexible real estate strategies and shared workspaces: Covid-19 has accelerated trends towards flexible workspaces. It’s also made us all consider the bimodality of working from home and working from the office. And, in order to best support the new working style of employees, companies are rethinking their real estate strategy. Inevitably, fewer people coming into the office on a regular basis -- even as we anticipate a return to a new normal in 2021 or early 2022 -- means that companies are no longer bound to traditional real estate strategies that are typical for their business size or the number of employees. BP Plc and Pinterest are just recent examples of companies selling HQs and terminating leases in order to best equip themselves for a combination of home and office working. An article in AllWork by Cecilia Amador de San José expands on the trends defining the future of corporate real estate. Shared workspaces provide a balance between in-person and virtual working styles. They provide exactly the flexibility that businesses crave as they navigate a post-pandemic world. At Kiln, we’re ready to embrace growth!

Jan 11 — Startups

2020: A Year in Review

2020 is a year we won’t ever forget. It brought uphill challenges and big breaks alike. On the cusp of the new year, we’re taking time to reflect on the resilience we’ve developed this year, and our gratitude to our Lehi, Boulder, Salt Lake, and Park City communities. Without further ado, Kiln’s year in review: Covid-Conscious CommunitiesCovid-19 and trends towards work from home threw a temporary wrench in our big plans. As the country prepared for its return to the office, Kiln led the industry in designing Covid-Conscious office spaces. We introduced more than a dozen new technologies and procedures to our spaces including HVAC filters, self-cleaning kits, micro-ionizers using UVC technology, and the ‘Kiln Key’ system. See it for yourself here. Launched our Second Location in LehiThe more the merrier in Lehi, because Kiln launched a second shared office space. Lehi 2 is designed with studios -- a special product for larger, more dynamic teams. Long story short, since launching a beta location in 2018 in Lehi, Kiln has added another 30,000 square feet for up to 50 additional teams. The Silicon Slopes tech ecosystem is booming, and we’re here for it. Broke Ground on Kiln Park CityKiln broke ground on a fifth coworking community in Park City, Utah. We’re accommodating the changing post-Covid corporate workspace strategy, and having some fun with wellness-focused amenities (including a mountaineering club). Park City represents this magical crossover between work and lifestyle, and Kiln Park City is all about easing your transition between the slopes and the office. Opening April 1, 2021!Launched our First Interstate Location in Boulder, ColoradoAfter putting strong roots down in Utah, Kiln moved east to Colorado, marking our first interstate expansion. We’ve got big plans for the next few years, and our new Boulder location on iconic Pearl Street is a fitting start. Boulder’s innovative business scene has been a great home to us so far. We’ve hosted a pop-up installation featuring local artists and bike-themed programming for one of Boulder’s biggest cycling groups, Wednesday Morning Velo. A Growing Group at Team KilnWe’re proud of our expanding and growing team at Kiln. And we’re lucky to come closer together and to rely on each other to get the job done. In a moment of gratitude, Team Kiln shared their more personal learnings from 2020. We learned that it’s okay to rely on family and friends through the good and the bad, and especially during tough times. 2020 showed us that we can strive for balance between nature, outdoor activities, leisure, and work. This year, we are thankful for personal growth and reflection amidst our nationwide challenges. From this year, we’ll take forward the recognition that we can strive for individual growth and simultaneously care for the health of our communities.A Look ForwardWe’re wishing for a 2021 that is less burdensome, challenging, and emotionally demanding. We’re yearning for a return to normalcy. But most importantly, we’re hoping to contribute to the overall wellness of our communities in every move we make. Here’s to 2021!

Dec 28 — Community

Support Local, Support Small

At Kiln, we’re in the business of supporting our local communities. This year, we’ve witnessed the power, resilience, and grit of small businesses in Utah and Colorado. It’s more important than ever before to Shop Small and Shop Local this holiday season so we dedicated the whole month of December to supporting small businesses. This initiative consisted of shopping locally for member events, gifting local business gift cards to our members, and posting weekly small business guides. If you'd like to find small businesses to shop, eat, and experience, check out our Instagram page for the full list! Our Utah Gift Guide features local businesses, pop-up shops, and artists. Here’s the rundown:At lonelyghost.co find amazing tees, hoodies, masks, keychains, and more. Shop online, or visit their brand new storefront in Lehi!Salt and Honey Market is a retail collective -- here you’ll find something for everyone. Shop books, art, prints, apparel, accessories, jewelry, stationery, and beauty products online or in stores in Salt Lake or Murray. For the sweet tooth in your life, try Ritual Chocolate in Park City and Heber. Try the subscription box for limited edition treats. You won’t regret it. For the beauty guru turned beer lover, Batch Twenty-One is a Salt Lake-based, hand-crafted skincare line incorporating hemp and hops in their products. Support local artists through the Park City Summit County Art Council’s Brand PC Holiday Pop-Up Shop. It’s located on Park City’s Main Street through Dec 31st and features ornaments, jewelry, merchandise, ceramics, and flowers designed by local creators. Lucky Penny Publications covers all things kids and national parks. Their children’s books do not disappoint. Thyme and Place is a local go-to for your next houseplant or last-minute holiday wreath. Visit in SLC! In Colorado, our gift guide is perfect for Kiln’s outdoor adventurers and the apres-ski obsessed. Check out: ZealOptics for skiing goggles and sunglasses that are eco-friendly! Jones + CO Modern Mercantile for artisan-crafted and environmentally friendly loungewear, hats, and all things beauty and wellness. Stop by on Pearl, just down the street from Kiln Boulder, and pick up the perfect work-from-home outfit for your day off the slopes. Miriam’s for the comfiest women’s sweater. And same-day delivery to Boulder County! The oldest bike shop in Boulder, Full Cycle, for all of your cycling needs from tune-ups to rentals to gear. It's a one-stop-shop kind of place. Cured Boulder for the ultimate picnic setup, apres-ski charcuterie board, and hand-picked wine and booze to go. It’s a place that’s all about preserving personal connection to food, and they’ve got it down. Topo Designs in Denver and Fort Collins for packs and bags, hiking accessories, and all of your outfitting needs for your next backcountry adventure.Cedar & Hyde Mercantile for minimalist and envy-inducing home and lifestyle decor.This year, a gift from a local shop or creator will mean more to your loved ones than ever. Our artists and designers are the heart of our communities, and many of our most cherished traditions are inspired and organized by them. Bring their work into your homes and hearts this year for the holidays.PS: If you’ve already done your holiday shopping, make sure to support local businesses by liking and resharing their social media, leaving Google and Yelp reviews, and spreading the word to your friends and family. Or pay it forward and support your local favorites by purchasing gift cards for a guilt-free shopping spree post-pandemic. At Kiln, we’re all about uplifting the communities that we call home.

Dec 18 — Community

Transforming Your Workspace with Gratitude

You may hear about the health benefits of practicing gratitude in your daily life, but do you ever think to carry that practice into your work place?“Gratitude is the ultimate performance-enhancing substance at work,” says Professor Robert Emmons, a gratitude researcher and psychology professor at UC Davis. Here are some ways to start cultivating an attitude of gratitude at work:Make time to see the good. Work can feel busy and hectic, with little time to spare. We are all in need of those “brain breaks” in between projects and meetings, but how are you spending yours? Instead of picking up your phone or scrolling through social media, take a moment to step back, breath, and look around you. Create the space to open your eyes and see the good in front of you. Write it out. At the end of your workday, write down three wins. You may have challenging days, but there is always something positive you can dig up. Meeting a deadline, committing to a lunch break, etc. Leave your list somewhere visible so you can see it and start your next day with some momentum. Compliment a co-worker. It is easy to get caught up in our personal lives and our own work, but taking the time to compliment a co-worker can go a long way. Pause to notice others accomplishments and get to know your team a little better. Doing so will boost those around you and create a more positive work environment. Give a note. Take time to write your colleagues notes filled with compliments and gratitude. Not only does this help you be more aware of those around you, but it lifts others spirits and creates a better team bond. Gratitude is a practice and takes work, but it can make a real change in your work environment. So start practicing today! Resource: https://workforce-resources.manpowergroup.com/development/how-to-practice-gratitude-at-work

Nov 23 — Community

Empowering Women: A Livestream Discussion

To commemorate October, Women in Small Business month, our team linked arms with the Women in Business Center of Utah to host an experienced panel of women across Utah and Colorado. Our panel was full-stacked with Linda Klug, Founder & CEO of Airin, Krista Morgan, General Partner of Stage, Rose Maizner, Co-Founder of Womenpreneurs, and Kristy Muir, Sr. Director, Head of Strategy & Operations Bridge at Instructure. Each of these women have extensive backgrounds in the venture and startup community and gave incredible insight to what it takes to find your place in the entrepreneurial world. You can still watch their discussion here. In this event, we talked through different questions like: What resources and networks did you leverage to successfully start and grow your business? How did you find and recognize champions that would help you develop your career? How do small business owners approach or break through your network? What steps should I take to build my small business? And what has been your biggest failure in growing your business and what did you do to pivot? Linda, Krista, Kristy, and Rose shared personal experiences on how they made relationships, went out of their comfort zones, and found mentors and advisors to champion them to success. You won't want to miss out on their advice. If you have questions for any of the women, reach out to them on LinkedIn or Twitter or find them at their organizations.

Nov 17 — Community

Boulder Local Artist Pop-Up

The first local art installation and pop-up show took place this past Thursday at Kiln's Boulder location. Steven Morrell, Carmen Richards and Onecho Usubillaga were the three Boulder-based artists that showcased various pieces for the event.The installation, Dive In, was meant to depict various iterations of living in the present and celebrating moments of connection and focus. The works will remain on display throughout the end of November, so please book a tour of Kiln and come and check them out!This cultural event showcases the versatility of our space, from a classic theater to an impromptu art gallery. We would be delighted to continue integrating with the community at the local level, so please get in touch with your closest Kiln location to plan your next event.

Nov 16 — Community

Boulder Startup Spotlight Series Round 1

We’re new to Boulder, but we’re diving right in. Our goal is to get to know more about the robust startup ecosystem that exists here. There are hundreds of Boulder-based startups, working on products ranging from unsupervised machine learning to robotics to genome engineering. Each month, we’ll cover a few we think you should have on your radar. Spark Grills: Forbes Most Innovative Grill 2020Spark Grills is combining the smoke, flavor, and sizzle of a charcoal-burning grill with the ease and durability of the classic, gas grill. And, the grills look sleek with their cutting-edge design. They’re all the buzz and will elevate your apres-ski cookout, or mix up the monotony of cooking at home. With recent press from New York Times Style Magazine, Gear Patrol, Dwell, Forbes, and TechCrunch, many people agreed that this would be the perfect addition to cold winter nights and summer cookouts alike. We’ve included Spark Grills in our Boulder startup series because their HQ is based here, and some manufacturing takes place locally. Founder, Benjamin West, has identified a clearly articulated problem: in the transition to the convenience of gas grills, we’ve lost the essence of true barbecue. Now, foodies, home-cooks, and science geeks can all get behind the Spark Grill because it has oven-like precision, reaches temps of 900F, and is easy to clean up. West has a proven track record with his last company, EcoZoom, which brought high efficiency cookstoves to areas in the developing world that are plagued with indoor air pollution. We’re excited to keep up with Spark Grills as it grows! Misty Robotics: an Innovative and Magical Web Development ProgramUsually, robots are a tool for roboticists. Not anymore. Misty Robotics is bringing its robots to developers, so that they can more efficiently complete business, personal, research, and educational projects. You can send Misty commands, or extend her powers through API integrations. Some use their Misty Robot as a concierge -- she can detect humans in the room, localize their location, greet them, and answer their questions. Founded in 2017 and based locally in Boulder, this team is a powerhouse and their product is sure to revolutionize the office and home space through robotics. Fun fact: Misty Robotics screened all of our guests at our VIP opening party in October, 2020. TeamSnap: a Mobile and Web-based Team Management SoftwareWhen TeamSnap launched their first-beta in 2007, CEO David Dupont and Chief Creative Officer, Andrew Berkowitz, envisioned a streamlined way for coaches, players, and families to communicate and coordinate about their sports teams. Now, they’ve got 23 million users in 196 countries, and so many rely on their easy-to-use solutions for communication, scheduling, payment collection, registration, and real-time game sharing. Though TeamSnap is 10+ years old, and resembles a scaled team and company structure, we thought we’d give David and Andrew a shout out here. They are both Boulder locals who have brought enormous innovation to the startup ecosystem, and believe in a healthier, happier, and more connected world through sports. We agree wholeheartedly! Check back in next month for another round of our Boulder startup series. Until then, pop into Kiln Boulder and meet leaders and champions in the local tech ecosystem. You never know who you’ll run into!

Jan 19 — Startups

Stay connected to our community

Work From Home: Will it Stay or Will it Go?

The short answer is both. Any lingering skepticism about the efficiency and feasibility of remote work has all but dissipated throughout 2020. Still, concerns about teamwork, startup and small business culture, and work-life balance in a primarily remote structure are lingering. There’s undeniable discord to reconcile. At Kiln, we’ve taken a closer look at some recent trends like de-densification, emerging startup ecosystems, and flexible corporate real estate strategies. This information gives us insights that may be useful in your business and personal planning. On de-densification and emerging startup ecosystems: In 2020, de-densification became a buzzword as businesses sought to limit the capacity of their workspaces or retail spaces as a Covid-19 safety precaution. But de-densification also refers to the movement of people and startups out of large cities. Entrepreneurs are finding new hubs. Let’s take the Bay Area, Salt Lake City, and Denver as examples. Recent articles in Crunchbase and Utah Business, by Sophia Kunthara and Izzy Howell, respectively, provide insight into the movement of startup ecosystems. There are two trends at play. First, Bay Area tech companies are identifying Utah and Colorado as talent hubs. They are opening secondary offices or even relocating HQs to cities like Salt Lake and Denver. Companies like Google, Facebook, Salesforce, Gusto, Robinhood, and companies they’ve acquired are prime examples. Second, this process is driving internal expansion in towns like Salt Lake and Denver; local companies are raising capital at an astounding rate, saving on the cost of living, albeit marginally, and identifying and fostering the next generation of local talent. Concerns over the talent pool and maturity of the tech scenes in Salt Lake and Denver are antiquated. And there are more winning points associated with Utah and Colorado. Strong universities, proximity to the West Coast, increased ease of nationwide travel, sustainable lifestyle, outdoorsy culture, and diversity of thought are compelling and enticing examples.In the Utah Business article, Jordan Staples says, “A less-discussed aspect of Utah’s lifestyle is that, unlike the Bay Area, Utah doesn’t have the long commutes, the expensive lifestyle, or the inaccessibility of nature. Instead, we have an ease of life, a family-first mentality, and a love of the great outdoors.” We’re inclined to agree. On flexible real estate strategies and shared workspaces: Covid-19 has accelerated trends towards flexible workspaces. It’s also made us all consider the bimodality of working from home and working from the office. And, in order to best support the new working style of employees, companies are rethinking their real estate strategy. Inevitably, fewer people coming into the office on a regular basis -- even as we anticipate a return to a new normal in 2021 or early 2022 -- means that companies are no longer bound to traditional real estate strategies that are typical for their business size or the number of employees. BP Plc and Pinterest are just recent examples of companies selling HQs and terminating leases in order to best equip themselves for a combination of home and office working. An article in AllWork by Cecilia Amador de San José expands on the trends defining the future of corporate real estate. Shared workspaces provide a balance between in-person and virtual working styles. They provide exactly the flexibility that businesses crave as they navigate a post-pandemic world. At Kiln, we’re ready to embrace growth!

Jan 11 — Startups

2020: A Year in Review

2020 is a year we won’t ever forget. It brought uphill challenges and big breaks alike. On the cusp of the new year, we’re taking time to reflect on the resilience we’ve developed this year, and our gratitude to our Lehi, Boulder, Salt Lake, and Park City communities. Without further ado, Kiln’s year in review: Covid-Conscious CommunitiesCovid-19 and trends towards work from home threw a temporary wrench in our big plans. As the country prepared for its return to the office, Kiln led the industry in designing Covid-Conscious office spaces. We introduced more than a dozen new technologies and procedures to our spaces including HVAC filters, self-cleaning kits, micro-ionizers using UVC technology, and the ‘Kiln Key’ system. See it for yourself here. Launched our Second Location in LehiThe more the merrier in Lehi, because Kiln launched a second shared office space. Lehi 2 is designed with studios -- a special product for larger, more dynamic teams. Long story short, since launching a beta location in 2018 in Lehi, Kiln has added another 30,000 square feet for up to 50 additional teams. The Silicon Slopes tech ecosystem is booming, and we’re here for it. Broke Ground on Kiln Park CityKiln broke ground on a fifth coworking community in Park City, Utah. We’re accommodating the changing post-Covid corporate workspace strategy, and having some fun with wellness-focused amenities (including a mountaineering club). Park City represents this magical crossover between work and lifestyle, and Kiln Park City is all about easing your transition between the slopes and the office. Opening April 1, 2021!Launched our First Interstate Location in Boulder, ColoradoAfter putting strong roots down in Utah, Kiln moved east to Colorado, marking our first interstate expansion. We’ve got big plans for the next few years, and our new Boulder location on iconic Pearl Street is a fitting start. Boulder’s innovative business scene has been a great home to us so far. We’ve hosted a pop-up installation featuring local artists and bike-themed programming for one of Boulder’s biggest cycling groups, Wednesday Morning Velo. A Growing Group at Team KilnWe’re proud of our expanding and growing team at Kiln. And we’re lucky to come closer together and to rely on each other to get the job done. In a moment of gratitude, Team Kiln shared their more personal learnings from 2020. We learned that it’s okay to rely on family and friends through the good and the bad, and especially during tough times. 2020 showed us that we can strive for balance between nature, outdoor activities, leisure, and work. This year, we are thankful for personal growth and reflection amidst our nationwide challenges. From this year, we’ll take forward the recognition that we can strive for individual growth and simultaneously care for the health of our communities.A Look ForwardWe’re wishing for a 2021 that is less burdensome, challenging, and emotionally demanding. We’re yearning for a return to normalcy. But most importantly, we’re hoping to contribute to the overall wellness of our communities in every move we make. Here’s to 2021!

Dec 28 — Community

Support Local, Support Small

At Kiln, we’re in the business of supporting our local communities. This year, we’ve witnessed the power, resilience, and grit of small businesses in Utah and Colorado. It’s more important than ever before to Shop Small and Shop Local this holiday season so we dedicated the whole month of December to supporting small businesses. This initiative consisted of shopping locally for member events, gifting local business gift cards to our members, and posting weekly small business guides. If you'd like to find small businesses to shop, eat, and experience, check out our Instagram page for the full list! Our Utah Gift Guide features local businesses, pop-up shops, and artists. Here’s the rundown:At lonelyghost.co find amazing tees, hoodies, masks, keychains, and more. Shop online, or visit their brand new storefront in Lehi!Salt and Honey Market is a retail collective -- here you’ll find something for everyone. Shop books, art, prints, apparel, accessories, jewelry, stationery, and beauty products online or in stores in Salt Lake or Murray. For the sweet tooth in your life, try Ritual Chocolate in Park City and Heber. Try the subscription box for limited edition treats. You won’t regret it. For the beauty guru turned beer lover, Batch Twenty-One is a Salt Lake-based, hand-crafted skincare line incorporating hemp and hops in their products. Support local artists through the Park City Summit County Art Council’s Brand PC Holiday Pop-Up Shop. It’s located on Park City’s Main Street through Dec 31st and features ornaments, jewelry, merchandise, ceramics, and flowers designed by local creators. Lucky Penny Publications covers all things kids and national parks. Their children’s books do not disappoint. Thyme and Place is a local go-to for your next houseplant or last-minute holiday wreath. Visit in SLC! In Colorado, our gift guide is perfect for Kiln’s outdoor adventurers and the apres-ski obsessed. Check out: ZealOptics for skiing goggles and sunglasses that are eco-friendly! Jones + CO Modern Mercantile for artisan-crafted and environmentally friendly loungewear, hats, and all things beauty and wellness. Stop by on Pearl, just down the street from Kiln Boulder, and pick up the perfect work-from-home outfit for your day off the slopes. Miriam’s for the comfiest women’s sweater. And same-day delivery to Boulder County! The oldest bike shop in Boulder, Full Cycle, for all of your cycling needs from tune-ups to rentals to gear. It's a one-stop-shop kind of place. Cured Boulder for the ultimate picnic setup, apres-ski charcuterie board, and hand-picked wine and booze to go. It’s a place that’s all about preserving personal connection to food, and they’ve got it down. Topo Designs in Denver and Fort Collins for packs and bags, hiking accessories, and all of your outfitting needs for your next backcountry adventure.Cedar & Hyde Mercantile for minimalist and envy-inducing home and lifestyle decor.This year, a gift from a local shop or creator will mean more to your loved ones than ever. Our artists and designers are the heart of our communities, and many of our most cherished traditions are inspired and organized by them. Bring their work into your homes and hearts this year for the holidays.PS: If you’ve already done your holiday shopping, make sure to support local businesses by liking and resharing their social media, leaving Google and Yelp reviews, and spreading the word to your friends and family. Or pay it forward and support your local favorites by purchasing gift cards for a guilt-free shopping spree post-pandemic. At Kiln, we’re all about uplifting the communities that we call home.

Dec 18 — Community

Transforming Your Workspace with Gratitude

You may hear about the health benefits of practicing gratitude in your daily life, but do you ever think to carry that practice into your work place?“Gratitude is the ultimate performance-enhancing substance at work,” says Professor Robert Emmons, a gratitude researcher and psychology professor at UC Davis. Here are some ways to start cultivating an attitude of gratitude at work:Make time to see the good. Work can feel busy and hectic, with little time to spare. We are all in need of those “brain breaks” in between projects and meetings, but how are you spending yours? Instead of picking up your phone or scrolling through social media, take a moment to step back, breath, and look around you. Create the space to open your eyes and see the good in front of you. Write it out. At the end of your workday, write down three wins. You may have challenging days, but there is always something positive you can dig up. Meeting a deadline, committing to a lunch break, etc. Leave your list somewhere visible so you can see it and start your next day with some momentum. Compliment a co-worker. It is easy to get caught up in our personal lives and our own work, but taking the time to compliment a co-worker can go a long way. Pause to notice others accomplishments and get to know your team a little better. Doing so will boost those around you and create a more positive work environment. Give a note. Take time to write your colleagues notes filled with compliments and gratitude. Not only does this help you be more aware of those around you, but it lifts others spirits and creates a better team bond. Gratitude is a practice and takes work, but it can make a real change in your work environment. So start practicing today! Resource: https://workforce-resources.manpowergroup.com/development/how-to-practice-gratitude-at-work

Nov 23 — Community

Empowering Women: A Livestream Discussion

To commemorate October, Women in Small Business month, our team linked arms with the Women in Business Center of Utah to host an experienced panel of women across Utah and Colorado. Our panel was full-stacked with Linda Klug, Founder & CEO of Airin, Krista Morgan, General Partner of Stage, Rose Maizner, Co-Founder of Womenpreneurs, and Kristy Muir, Sr. Director, Head of Strategy & Operations Bridge at Instructure. Each of these women have extensive backgrounds in the venture and startup community and gave incredible insight to what it takes to find your place in the entrepreneurial world. You can still watch their discussion here. In this event, we talked through different questions like: What resources and networks did you leverage to successfully start and grow your business? How did you find and recognize champions that would help you develop your career? How do small business owners approach or break through your network? What steps should I take to build my small business? And what has been your biggest failure in growing your business and what did you do to pivot? Linda, Krista, Kristy, and Rose shared personal experiences on how they made relationships, went out of their comfort zones, and found mentors and advisors to champion them to success. You won't want to miss out on their advice. If you have questions for any of the women, reach out to them on LinkedIn or Twitter or find them at their organizations.

Nov 17 — Community

Boulder Local Artist Pop-Up

The first local art installation and pop-up show took place this past Thursday at Kiln's Boulder location. Steven Morrell, Carmen Richards and Onecho Usubillaga were the three Boulder-based artists that showcased various pieces for the event.The installation, Dive In, was meant to depict various iterations of living in the present and celebrating moments of connection and focus. The works will remain on display throughout the end of November, so please book a tour of Kiln and come and check them out!This cultural event showcases the versatility of our space, from a classic theater to an impromptu art gallery. We would be delighted to continue integrating with the community at the local level, so please get in touch with your closest Kiln location to plan your next event.

Nov 16 — Community

Kiln Startup Showcase Accepted Applicants

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