Writer / Kara Kavensky
Photographer / Amy Unger
The Hatch is the latest co-working space to open in Broad Ripple and the first designed for creatives.
“We’ve witnessed a rise in the glamour of working from home, but at some point, you need collaboration,” says The Hatch co-founder Jen Handley. “The inspiration of working around others is challenging to find if you are alone.”
Jen partners with Ben Carlson in a local media research firm named Fizziology, recently named #3 among fastest growing companies in Indianapolis and #502 nationally on Inc.’s 5000 list. They specialize in social media research for the entertainment business. “We provide data products to the entertainment industry,” says Ben. “We work with all major movie studios, talent, producers and some major brands.”
Having partnerships with social media giants, Jen and Ben regularly visit the headquarters of Facebook, Reddit, Twitter and Instagram. “These offices are some of the most creative think tanks on the planet,” shares Ben. “As we were looking for a new space for our office, we thought how cool it would be to infuse a vision for the creatively-minded, not just for tech entrepreneurs, but for photographers, artists, marketers and writers.”
Jen’s husband Chad Handley is a real estate investor. He helped them find the building and helped with the vision. Ben, Chad and Jen solidified their idea, bought the building and gutted it down to the studs.
Chad (Chief Development Officer), Ben (Chief Creative Officer) and Jen (CEO) are co-founders. They brought Adam Garvey on as Chief Design Officer and Laurie Schneider as Chief Experience Officer and as partners.
The Hatch offers a creative studio on its campus, a photography and videography wall available to use, a professional sound booth for podcasting, along with easels and drying racks for paintings.
“There are so many amazingly talented people in this area. What if a group of them got together?” asks Jen. “This is where the magic happens. We look forward to watching the results.”
The Hatch is focused upon the creative community. Local businesses looking for interesting and flexible office space, private suites, variety of seating areas, phone booths and flex membership make The Hatch a nice alternative to working out of a garage or spare bedroom.
The Hatch is currently exploring additional locations around central Indiana.
For more information, visit thehatchcreates.com or stop in The Hatch at 6161 Hillside Ave.
