As someone building my own business and needing to put food on my table, I was just denied a simple front desk position at an entrepreneurial hub. The founder of said hub only wants "employees"

I understand the desire, as a company founder, to hire employees who will stick around for a while. So it does make some sense that someone with an entrepreneurial side project isn't exactly the best candidate. But having a side project doesn't concretely point in either direction whether someone would jump ship as soon as possible.

In fact I can honestly say I was excited to make this hub my "day home" for the next few years, but no reason to get held up on a lost opportunity. I've got money to make so I can eat! ;)

The situation did surprise me though. I find it hard to believe that someone, whose entire business relies upon facilitating entrepreneurs, would not foster entrepreneurship on all levels.

Personally I would hope that, if my company decides to utilize a coworking space, we would refuse to work with an organization who isn't fostering entrepreneurship throughout itself.

Moving on from my saltiness...

What is your opinion on fostering an entrepreneurial attitude throughout your organization when you also need your people as dedicated as possible to the company?

I've heard of companies, such as Quest Nutrition, who encourage their employees to have side projects. Quest has even admitted to helping some of their employees create direct competition to themselves. (not directly helping I'm sure)

Where do you draw the line when you need to hire a "cog" for your machine? Sometimes technology just isn't quite there yet to automate an unfulfilling position out of your company.

*Apologies if any of this came off as a complaint, I considered it an interesting talking point for those of us working to establish our own business cultures