This photo represents one of my saddest times in business. This was the day that I had to close down my office.
When I started my business back in 2006, I had to rent a 300 sq ft space in Markham, ON. Sure, it was tiny, but I was so proud. The first space of my own agency.
Cut to 2015, when my 11+ staff and I moved into the office that’s pictured here. It was about 2,400 sq ft with lots of light and lots of space. I built custom desks and renovated the place, and we called it home until 2020.
Like so many others, the space that I poured so much passion and love into over 5 years, became the world's most expensive storage locker.
In 2022, our lease ended. We decided that after 2 years of being remote, it just didn’t make sense to keep the office anymore. All the furniture, all the years of memorabilia, all the décor, everything went into storage.
It was crushing.
Our space, our team, the environment, the buzz, the music that we played, all of that stuff is experiential to me. All of that is environment. All of that is the type of workplace that I want to foster.
Going remote, while at first seemed freeing and great, ultimately felt like taking a huge step backwards.
If all you're going to do is talk to people about tasks, jump in and out of meetings, and do work on your own, remote is perfect. Keep remoting.
But when you're a fast-paced business, when there's strategy sessions, when there's creative brainstorms, when you need diversity of thought…
There’s no better place to do all that than a really amazing and inspiring office.
Nothing replaces it.
I can't wait to reopen our space and bring everyone back next year. Because all that vibrant creative energy? That’s exactly what we're going to do, but better than ever.
What are your thoughts on back-to-office? Be honest…
#BusinessJourney #TeamCulture #RemoteWorkChallenges
Revenue Operations Leader
3moCan't wait to be at the home office next week! See you all soon 😁