As he prepared to cut the ribbon on July 14, 2021, officially opening one of the most innovative spaces in Northeast Florida, Raghu Misra shared his hope for the future.
“We want to be the link that makes things happen,” he said.
Four years later, co-founder of the link Gurpreet Misra validated the realization of her husband’s dream.
“Vision accomplished,” she declared.
On Friday, July 25, the link held its annual membership appreciation event, a time for celebration and reflection.
Located at 425 Town Plaza Ave. in Nocatee Town Center, the link is an award-winning 22,500-square-foot co-working space, multi-use innovation incubator and membership-based venue, a gem with so many facets it can be difficult to describe. It’s a community hub that hosts classes, camps, entertainment, celebrations, lectures, expos and all manner of special events.
This is the home for the annual EnterCircle summit promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship, Circle of Creation women’s business series and JaxFuse for participants in the creative economy.
From the beginning, the link defied facile categorization. Without the shackles of more traditional enterprises, it has been a place to experiment and try out unique ideas. The past four years have been, in Raghu Misra’s words, “quite a journey.”
“This is a new concept,” explained Gurpreet Misra, “and a new concept takes a lot of time for people to really grasp. But we are glad that we got the right participation, people who really love it.”
She said her husband wanted to create a space that would bring families and entrepreneurship together. As a result, most of the community-based activities are held on the ground floor, while a variety of work spaces are located upstairs.
Launched amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the link, with its unique alternatives to traditional workplace norms, was immediately embraced by a range of professionals. Here, in an inspiring, state-of-the-art space, they could conduct business while family members enjoyed the entertainment and educational options nearby. As Nocatee has grown so too has the link and, with the arrival of families and professionals relocating to Northeast Florida, there have increasingly been opportunities to share the link’s offerings with a new group of people.
Still, there were many familiar faces among those attending Friday’s event.
Ivan Ramirez, who has led the link’s Lego and drone camps since the beginning, was on hand.
“When it (the link) opened up, we started doing the first camps,” he said. “It worked out super well.”
These camps are extremely popular, and participants acquire useful skills while having fun.
One of the biggest initiatives Ramirez leads is the FIRST LEGO League. Often, he recruits promising participants from summer camps.
Friday was also an occasion to bid goodbye to Elaine Raby, who has served the link as director of customer experience since the beginning. She is retiring.
Raghu Misra called her to the stage and asked attendees to provide a word they felt best described her. Their responses included: irreplaceable, caring, wonderful, kind, genuine — and the list goes on.
“This is too much,” said Raby. “I’m overwhelmed and grateful. It’s been extraordinary being part of Raghu and Gurpreet’s vision and watching it unfold. And being part of this community — that’s been one of the best things that’s ever happened in my life.”
In recognition of Raby’s birthday, link staff brought out four exceptionally decorated cakes.
Raghu Misra also took the opportunity to introduce three new staff members to the assembly.
