[Robotgroup] Fwd: Leslie -- TechShop Austin Timeline Update...

[Leslie Filip]

For those who don't know, I was one of the three Austin partners. We  
collectively decided to withdraw from the program some time ago, and  
contrary to what it says below in the canned email, it should not  
have been unexpected at all. If there is indeed a new Austin partner,  
I wish them the best of luck for they will need both that and all  
your prayers.

Take Care,
Les

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Jim Newton <jim at techshop.ws>
> Date: 28 March 2008 6:03:04 PM CDT
> To: Leslie Filip <lfilip at mac.com>
> Subject: Leslie -- TechShop Austin Timeline Update...
>
>
>
> Hi Leslie...
>
> I wanted to give you an update on our TechShop Austin and general  
> expansion progress.
>
> As you know, we are opening 9 new TechShop locations nationwide.   
> The locations are Seattle WA, Portland OR, Marin CA, Sacramento CA,  
> Los Angeles CA, San Diego CA, Austin TX, Orlando FL, and Durham  
> NC.  We are also planning to open a new headquarters location in  
> Sunnyvale CA.
>
> We have altered the launch timeline for some of our new locations.   
> Of the half dozen businesses I have started in my life, TechShop is  
> the only one that has reached the expansion phase, and I have to  
> say, opening subsequent locations is harder than we expected!
>
> In addition to the unexpected variables, our original partner for  
> the Austin TechShop location unexpectedly dropped out, and we wish  
> him all the best and look forward to having him as a member.
>
> As a result of these changing factors, we made the decision to  
> modify our location deployment timeline so that we can more  
> completely develop the actual process of building and launching a  
> new TechShop location.  This will make the roll out of each new  
> TechShop location more predictable and sustainable.
>
> There will certainly be disappointed makers in the cities that have  
> been delayed...I know that I would definitely be bummed.   
> Fortunately, it is a temporary delay.  My team and I feel that  
> refining the process will help us to be able to launch more  
> successful TechShop locations in a shorter time, and give you the  
> TechShop that you deserve and expect.
>
> Our focus now is opening three successful TechShop locations this  
> summer.  These three locations will be Portland, Durham, and the  
> new TechShop HQ in Sunnyvale.  The TechShop locations in Seattle,  
> Marin, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, Austin, and Orlando will  
> open in a second wave, currently planned for 2009.
>
> We are fully committed to opening TechShop locations in all these  
> cities because each one has such a strong maker community.  As we  
> move forward, we invite your input on all aspects of the TechShop  
> Austin facility and community.
>
> I will be visiting all the TechShop cities including Austin for the  
> second Community Meet-Up Parties in the coming months, so please  
> keep an eye open for our schedule announcements.  In the meantime,  
> if you have feedback for us, please let us know.
>
> From the whole TechShop team, we thank you for your patience, and  
> for your tremendous enthusiasm in what we are doing.  We look  
> forward to seeing you at TechShop Austin very soon!
>
> --
> Jim Newton
> Founder and CEO
> TechShop -- Build Your Dreams HERE!
> jim at techshop.ws
> 1-(800)-640-1975
> http://www.techshop.ws/
>
> -----
> If you'd like to be off of our announcements list, just send an  
> email to us at off.3617 at techshop.ws and I'll take care of it promply.
>
>
>