Building an entrepreneurial mindset: North Bay incubator is launching pad for new business.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: SMALL BUSINESS

Not too many business operators would subscribe to a revolving door philosophy.

For Sarah Morin, project manager at North Bay's new downtown business incubator, Genesis@204, a high turnover rate is exactly what she's striving for.

"We want to get to the point where there is turnover in the businesses here--one out, one in--so that others have the opportunity," said Morin. "Our immediate plans are to fill this place and be a bustling little retail and office space."

The idea for the incubator was hatched more than two years by the North Bay and District Multicultural Centre as a way to assist newcomers to Canada get started in small business.

But it appears to be drawing community-wide interest from home-grown North Bay residents as well.

Located in a two-storey building at the corner of Main and Wyld Streets, Genesis@240 (alluding to its Main Street address) is divided into ground-floor "Boutique" retail space for walk-in traffic, and the more private "Business Loft" on the upper floor with secure access.

The ground floor offers naturally lit kiosk space with a supplied shelving unit and work table. The loft provides private office space and semi-private, the latter being a basic cubicle in an open concept work area.

"People seem to be catching on to the idea," said Morin, who moved into the refurbished building last March.

Genesis@204 follows the standard incubator concept in offering cheap rent for first-time entrepreneurs under a graduated pricing structure, providing a fully wired space, and business support and networking opportunities until they build their confidence and the capital to venture out on their own and move into larger digs.

Part of the membership agreement is that tenants participate in workshops on topics such as accounting, banking, marketing and work-life balance from guest speakers or one of the incubator's corporate partners.

Members get access to a boardroom, photocopier, onsite manager support, and a key to the building for tenants to come and go as they please.

Unlike big city incubators, which tend to be geared to high-tech startups, the doors in North Bay are open to anyone who needs a desk, a phone and a place to work.

"We kind of run the spectrum of businesses here," said Morin, "which is why we're happy to do this."

Since last spring's grand opening, two retailers have set up shop --another will arrive in October --and three companies moved into the Business Loft.

Upstairs includes a marketing agency, Social...