Columbus: We Love You

Dear Columbus,

Over the past year, we’ve spent far more time within your borders than we ever have in the past. We used to think of you as a great home base to travel from and return to, but COVID-19 brought us a newfound appreciation for you as we learned to slow down and take a deep breath from right here at home. You’ve been our launchpad for Haven Collective, lifting us up and supporting us in all the ways – and for that, we’ll be forever grateful. So, we wanted to share with you how much you really mean to us.

Did you know that you provided the setting for our “meet cute” at The Ohio State University over 12 years ago? Since then, we’ve changed and grown, and so did you! If you had asked our younger selves where we thought we’d spend our lives, you probably wouldn’t have heard us say your name, but boy are we ever glad it’s turned out that way. It’s been a pleasure to shape our lives and our business with your strong and supportive foundation. We can’t imagine rooting down and blooming anywhere else. Who knew I-270 could be the very circle of life?

Haven Collective has made a home in properties that may not have been valued in other cities, but we’re so glad that you did. We’ve enjoyed bringing life and love back inside these walls for our community of freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. You’ve been so warm and welcoming to us and our spaces mean to reflect that feeling for everyone who enters our doors.

Do you remember, four years ago, when we only just started dreaming together about our startup? Remember when we shared our vision with you on the rooftop overlooking your beautiful skyline? From that moment on, the pieces fell into place and seemed to line up in the most serendipitous ways. And while we ran into our fair share of hurdles along the way, they were nothing compared to what it would have been like in New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Seattle, or LA. It took some time for people to understand coworking. We started from the ground up, giving out free day passes and we built our business while building our community thanks to you. You with your big city feel and small city charm always bringing people together in ways no one else but you could. The people who call you home love supporting local, love small businesses, and love making connections. They’re the very reason we’re here today, now three plus years later and still surviving despite a global pandemic.  

Our Haven coworking community is filled with confident and creative Columbusites who show up and work hard for themselves, their families, and for you. Every day, they leverage their passion and expertise for the collective benefit, truly knowing that “Together We Shine Brighter”. Our people are your people, the very product of the hustle and heart in your communities. 

She said it first and best, when our favorite entrepreneur, Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams said, “Columbus, that’s why I really love you: You allow your people to take big creative risks without the pressures that exist in some other big-name places. You help to insulate our mistakes and failures from the rest of the world. And while we go unnoticed, we have the time to hone our craft, build our Dream Team, and cultivate our supply networks.”

Hopefully, here in our letter, you’ll be plenty embarrassed after we’ve showered you with a few compliments, but we’re never going to be done because it’ll never be enough. Columbus, you’re a fantastic friend. You are our most amazing ally. You are our always reliable resource. You are our support system. Thank you for sticking with us and helping us get through this shit show of a year. We wouldn’t have wanted to do it anywhere else. You’ve had our back and we’ll forever have yours. They say that home is where the heart is, and ours are with you.

All our love,

Mel + Danielle