Our Story
The coworking Space was new in 2022, but the concept of the fourge community has been in the works for some time…
Meet the Founder
Jessica Kane
I had been dreaming of a coworking space in Gaylord for a long time, ever since I started the Northern MIchigan Remote Worker MeetUp in 2018 (I’ve been working remotely myself since 2016). With the help of a number of folks, we finally made a Gaylord coworking space a reality at the beginning of 2022. Special thanks go to Allison Boatman and Lisa Marie Tobin for helping to make Fourge a reality!
A bit more about me: I’m originally from Wisconsin and an owner of Line 45, a Gaylord-based software company, where I work as a cartographer (mapmaker) and software developer. I enjoy running, mountain biking, skiing, reading, and canoeing.
About Fourge
The Fourge Coworking Space is a new business in Gaylord (opened in January 2022!), colocated within the Gaylord Arts gallery. We have been working over the past several years to foster an inclusive and welcoming community for remote workers in the area—you may have heard of us, still operating as Fourge, but referring to our efforts as a coworking community.
In addition to the physical coworking space, we offer networking events, professional development opportunities, casual social connection points, and other resources for individuals who don’t work in a traditional office setting. Many individuals in our remote worker community miss aspects of working alongside other professionals in a physical environment—both the specific and the intangible positive impacts that come with that experience. We understand working from home can be isolating. The Fourge community provides opportunities to meet new people and expand your professional network locally.
As we’ve worked toward realizing our goal of opening a coworking space over the past year, we’ve fostered our community virtually. Check out our Facebook page and follow us on LinkedIn, and explore our Events page to see what’s coming up.
Why the Name Fourge?
The word forge is an action word meaning to create or make from a concentrated effort. Alongside the founders’ concentrated effort to bring people together and foster connections among unique and diverse individuals, allowing everyone involved to feel a shared sense of community and ownership of the group was deemed an essential part of the process as well. We chose the unique spelling of the verb forge to put an emphasis on the fact that this is OUR community. Our members make and drive it. We recognize that an organization is more than a gathering place. It is a group of individuals who support and encourage one another to reach their fullest potential.
From the entrepreneur who would benefit from meeting a graphic design freelancer, to the remote worker who recently moved to town and wants to meet new people—we are all about forging connections!
Who We Serve
We serve entrepreneurs, small business owners, contractors, freelancers, and remote workers living in and around the greater Gaylord, Michigan area. Visitors to the area and part-time residents are welcome, too! We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community.
Follow us on Facebook and on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on our latest news. Contact us to inquire about joining the Northern Michigan Remote Worker Slack group—while not directly affiliated with Fourge, there is a Fourge members-only channel, and you can connect with other remote workers in Northern Michigan about a variety of work-related and casual topics.