The benefits of leasing my first office
In the words of Maya Angelou “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it”
Well, just last October I moved into my first office. And I have to tell you, it feels amazing! Do I miss working in my PJ’S, having my kitchen nearby when it’s time for lunch, or not having to drive (in inclement weather) to get to work? Absolutely not!
No, no way and hecky naw!!!!
Because the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Here’s why:
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Being an entrepreneur, namely a solopreneur can be a lonely experience, so being out of the house puts you front and center among a community of other movers and shakers.
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Even though you aren’t more official, it kinda feels like you are.
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Your professional perception goes up a notch to your peers and clients.
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You think more strategically, with less distractions and opportunities seem more noticeable during your commute to work.
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You feel confident having business meetings with vendors, clients and your teammates at YOUR place, and not a coffee shop that has an unsecure network
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And it garners a sense of accomplishment and pride that feels unmistakably good. In fact, when I turn the key to my office and walk in, I can’t help but smile with gratitude each and every time.
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While my space is modest and is in no way an executive suite, it is perfect for my current needs.
My modest space
While I prayed for my new location to be close to home, affordable and with a window. I was blessed with those wishes; but in order to make them happen, the leasing company needed to add a temporary wall to separate my office from the one next door.
The only problem was, this affordable option meant a small, very very small office space. In fact, it was so small, that team meetings had to be held in the common areas outside my office door or otherwise known as the hallway.
This is what the space looked like at first
To say it could use a little lift is an understatement. But with a little love it looked better.
It started looking better
To stay consistent with my branding, we added a blush color to the walls, along with furniture, art and an area rug to our cozy 9 x 9 room.
Just as I was getting settled in this happened
In less than three months, the office space next to me (on the other side) opened up and to my surprise the leasing company was willing to demo the wall between us to make an additional space for Ydp.
Wow? It’s definitely a testament to “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”(Matthew 7:7 NIV). Yep, I serve an awesome God for sure.
We started to demo the wall sometime after Christmas and before the new year. You can see the progression above.
Prepping the walls
I picked up some gray paint for the new room to add interest and a feature wall. John was awesome (totally in his element) as he transformed the space.
Ready for business
While the space is primarily meant for me and my team for conducting behind the scene efforts, It also serves as a meeting place for vendors, contractors, and clients. Clients can peruse fabric, wallpaper, trims and rug selections from our collection of samples and catalogs.
If you are thinking about a project, we are happy to visit your home for a consultation or feel free to stop in to view our collection of resources. Appointments are necessary, as we are often at job sites or in the field.
If you are an entrepreneur and considering a lease, take your time, ask a lot of questions and drive to the areas you are interested in. I found more opportunities by getting in my car rather than just looking online. There are so many options and opportunities including co-working spaces, conference room rentals, spaces that offer drop in options etc.
We help busy homeowners save time, avoid design missteps and reduce overwhelm. We design living spaces that evoke emotion and enhance each project with custom window treatments for the ultimate finishing touch.
To learn more about our process and to see if we are a good fit, we invite you to give us a ring at (513)-409-3759
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