Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Checking In

Since registering the business earlier this month, I've been quietly working on one of our product designs, so that it can be professionally rendered in CAD (it helps when your partner is an established architect), and the build sheets can be finalized. It's a real adventure taking something so conceptual in one's mind, and manifesting it in reality. Granted, 'reality' is technically still in the virtual realm, as 3D models are the only building we've done to date. Yet, you can see it, rotate and examine the piece. It's one step closer to being tactile. Every element, accessory, system, texture and color are being evaluated and re-evaluated to ensure the end result is 'insanely great'. It's grueling (especially the legalities involved), but totally worth it!

Once we complete this flagship product, we'll pour headlong into three additional designs, bringing the quartet of products to market together. I'm confident that we can function in this capacity, doing four things very well, and saying 'no' to several other ideas (for now), until we mature in the industry. Let's go ahead and spill the beans: Synergy Spaces LLC was formed with the idea that specialty rooms, or "spaces" should be affordable, value added, and accessible to the vast majority of households.

For example, our yet-to-be-named "Theater 1" represents a fully-functional cinema, in a small 10 foot by 12.5 foot form factor. This room is engineered from the ground up, supporting the best audio/visual experience possible, while adding the dramatic flair of a great commercial theater. Usually, dedicated screening rooms of this nature are much larger, and cannot be purchased by "mere mortals". You can read about them, drool over their photos in magazines, but they're usually not found in your home on Main Street. We aim to change that. While not quite the commanding presence of a sexy, $250,000 16 seat theater, Synergy's Theater 1 can accommodate 1-6 people, and features a proportionally accurate full high definition display, competent surround sound, and total control over the environment- for less than the price of a Honda. Because the structure and subsystems are integrated, the echelon of aesthetic and performance is far above what one can achieve in a standard living room.

Beyond Theater 1, there are a few other really cool spaces we're developing around our standard footprint. It may sound a little nutty, but in the not-too-distant future, customers will walk into our open showroom and audition different spaces. For example, perhaps a couple doesn't have the desire, or financial capability to add on to their existing home. Maybe the thought of a 'man-cave' is unnerving to his better half, or perhaps a spare bedroom hardly suffices as an 'oasis' for writing that great novel she has milling around in her mind. We'll be able to address our customer's needs, by providing an economical 'space' suited for the task they seek. A few room topologies, and thoughtful (but not overabundant) options are selected, and once site preparation has concluded, we arrive and deploy the space within the scope of a business day (or two), as if by magic. It's a simple, turnkey operation, and we really think it's going to be something special.

We understand it will not be for everyone. However, by adding a tailored space externally to your home, the desired function you seek has it's place without subtracting precious square footage from your home. Likewise, this means the remainder of your home has an absence of said desired function. Therefore, the benefits are compounded in each space, and synergy is achieved. In the example of our aforementioned couple, He gets to build the theater of his dreams. He wouldn't have been able to do this as economically with a standard addition, nor would the system likely perform as well in a standard living room, due to acoustic challenges, and lack of complete control over ambient light. Likewise, She inherits a living room free of electronics, and associated noise. Now, she can entertain without having to compete! What's more, if our couple decides to move to a different home in the future, they can elect to leave the space behind for a potential boost in resale value, or make arrangements to have the space moved to their new location- try doing that with a standard dedicated theater room!

I'm including some of our early conceptual art for Theater 1- which are successors to the placeholder pictures currently on the company web site. As we continue to move forward, more details and specifications will be revealed. I truly believe God is helping to put this together, amidst the challenges, and we're very excited to soon be sharing our products with the world.

Good Night

Friday, April 6, 2012

Too Legit To Quit

I realize it's been a while since my last entry. I'd love to say there's been a flurry of activity surrounding our fledgling operation, but that simply hasn't been the case. Between our daily work, family events, holidays and sickness, my partner and I haven't been able to get much traction on our part-time business over the past month. However, this week we achieved a major milestone.

Synergy Spaces LLC is a registered business in the State of Oregon! Our paperwork (Articles of Organization) has been filed with the Secretary of State, and required fees paid. It feels great knowing that we're one important step closer to our end goal. However, each step uncovers deep-seated thoughts of self-doubt and fear of failure that I didn't expect to face. God really has to help me walk this out, as fear can (and does) lead to paralysis of action. Fear is not from God, but wisdom certainly is. Please agree with me in prayer for wise counsel and sound financial decisions, as we continue to forge ahead.

This week brings additional drafts of our Operating Agreement; hopefully few edits are required before we file that document away. Once complete, we'll focus on building our branding, and perfecting our product designs- finally the fun stuff!

Good Night