Independents Hall Philadelphia

IndyHall Member Profiles: Johnny Bilotta

Filed under: Announcements, Community Support, In The News, Independents Hall, coworkers

One of the first projects we’ve tasked our new interns Michelle and Parker with is meeting everyone at IndyHall, and getting to know them. Luckily for you, that means that YOU get to know our members better as well!

We’re going to be kicking off a series of member interviews conducted in no particular order. First up, though, is Johnny Bilotta, who is arguably IndyHall’s very first member. Parker begins the interview below the jump!

Parker: Who are you and what do you do?

Johnny: My name is Johnny Bilotta, and in true IndyHall fashion, I wear many hats. Most of my living is made as a freelance creative director and an interface designer. I’ve also administered some parts of IndyHall here and there. Being member number one has its responsibilities. That includes co-hosting Two Guys On Beer, which was founded here at IndyHall.

Parker: Does Two Guys on Beer generate revenue?

Johnny: At the moment, no, but we’re getting close. We’ve been the featured beer video segment on Philly.com for a few months now!

Parker: How did you hear about IndyHall?

Johnny: Alex and I were both contributors and spectators on the PANMA e-mail list, which is the Philadelphia Area New Media Association. We were going back and forth on things we wanted to see improved in Philadelphia. Alex emailed me off list, and suggested we get some drinks, get to know each other, and compare notes.  So we met for dinner and beers on a rainy day in April of 07.

I had never heard of the coworking movement before that night.  He told me about the idea of IndyHall, asked me what I thought, and I said, “I’m in!”

Parker: What made you decide to join IndyHall?

Johnny: I joined because working alone and not having people to bounce ideas off of became a problem. It was the need for social contact, to talk about things around the water cooler, and even introduce a forum for to find a solution.  I have always been a self-proclaimed student of Bauhaus principals, and IndyHall is a shining example of those ideals.  It was a perfect fit.  The collaborative atmosphere also provided opportunity to work on a grand range of projects. I tapped into a previously unknown market for a creative professional.

Parker: What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve ever experienced at IndyHall?

Johnny: The growth factor of the space as a whole.  To go from a few people meeting at coffee shop to an actual space to DOUBLING that space, all with in two and a half years.  That is quite an accomplishment, and was very unexpected.

Parker: So you’ve been here since the beginning of IndyHall and you’ve experienced coworking to the fullest extent, and even gained some exposure to the limelight. My question is, could you ever see yourself going away from the IndyHall community or coworking in general?

Johnny: At the moment? No. The community will always be something I would like to stay active in.  It is filled with amazingly talented people and been such an invaluable resource in my life.

As far as leaving the space?  If the right offer came along and I knew that I was able to help another company, or another initiative like IndyHall, it would be tempting. There have been times that I’ve thought about picking up and leaving Philadelphia again. I think one of the things that keeps me here is the work I do with my IndyHall colleagues, including Two Guys on Beer.  I feel like the overall community here is just starting to really get its legs, so leaving it would, in my opinion, be a mistake.  I think Philly hasn’t even begun to show the tech or creative world what it has to offer. Give it a couple years, but it’s going to be a fun ride.