Member Profile: Andrew Nealon

Name: Andrew Nealon, Principal
Occupation: Media Strategist and Consultant
Website: InsertCulture.com

Tell us about your business:
Insert Culture is a full service media strategy and research firm. We provide technology and Web-based solutions for small and medium-sized business. With so many avenues of distribution and promotion available on the Web, Insert Culture helps guide clients down the most beneficial path. Our service list includes marketing and academic research, community management, content creation, technology training, event administration and strategy development.

Are you self-employed?
Insert Culture is in her third year of existence, and I’m self-employed all the way.

Why did you choose the independent route?
If being your own boss isn’t a good enough reason, others are; flexible hours, unlimited vacation, mid-day naps with cats, choice of projects.

What issues have you run into as an independent business owner?
Navigating the first year often felt overwhelming. Learning how to balance multiple clients was a chore, but figuring out taxes every year has proven to be one of the most complicated aspects. That’s getting easier now that my network has grown and I know independent attorneys, accountants and small business consultants that are always willing to share advice with a fellow indie.

Why Coworking?
Besides growing my daytime social circle beyond my cat, I found Insert Culture was growing at a steady pace and these new projects required bringing in graphic designers or Web developers to complete. My cat, while a great sleeper, is not so well versed in branding methods or CSS. The folks I cowork with are.

Any success stories related to issues that, if working for others, would have been difficult to solve?
I’ve already mentioned having a lawyer on hand is a great thing, sharing a coworking space with one is even better. With a working relationship with Bitmap’s local Intellectual Property lawyer, I’ve been able to have five minute conversations in the hall I would have previously spent hours and dollars on getting an outside legal opinion. I probably shouldn’t have said that... I might start getting bills from Phil.

Why did you choose Bitmap as your Coworking home base?
I’d be leaving out a big part of this answer if I didn’t mention that Bitmap is an easy five minute walk from my apartment in Williamsburg. But that’s not the only reason. Bitmap’s aesthetic and collaborative environment make it a wonderful place to call home.