Today, for the first time in nearly 18 years, I will actually drive to work.
While it's not a big deal for millions of Americans who commute to the office every day, I've had the luxury and privilege of working from home. No rush hours. No traffic jams. No worries over bad weather.
Until today.
After 13 years as an independent software consultant and trainer, I founded Purple Trout, LLC - a search engine marketing firm - nearly five years ago. For over three years, I operated Purple Trout myself before bringing on employees, freelancers and contractors. As business continued to grow, I continued to add staff.
Crammed into the lower level of a tri-level home, desks were pushed next to desks; power strips were filled, and circuit breakers were maxed out. We were, literally, sardines and we prayed that no one came to "work" with a bad cold.
Conferences were held in the kitchen; employee interviews were conducted at Starbucks and I actually hosted one webinar in my bedroom because space was limited.Warmer weather allowed us to move outside from time-to-time and have lunch while watching deer, squirrels and birds in the backyard.
It worked. We made it work.
Over the weekend, Purple Trout, LLC moved into its new offices on Monmouth Street near Newport on the Levee in Newport, Kentucky (just a raft and a paddle away from downtown Cincinnati).
While the two-story building is a little bit larger that what we really need, it gives us room to grow; room to host meetings, interviews and small conferences. We have room to spread out; room to think; room to have a private telephone call and room to cough without everyone worrying if you have a new flu strain.
It hasn't always been easy.
The usual start-up problems haunted us from time-to-time: long hours; contracts; deadlines; pleasing clients and fighting off vendors. Of course, there were ice storms (when I'd worry about a power outage) and a hurricane in the fall (yes, in Ohio) that forced us to work from a local library.
It's been worth it.
So, today, as I open the door to our new office, I will have a mini celebration in my brain. Working from home has been great, but now it's time for this fish to grow and move into a bigger pond.
But first I'll need to find a place to park.
Congrats on the move!
Posted by: Erik Wallace | June 10, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Welcome to the neighborhood, Steve.
Posted by: Jason | June 11, 2009 at 08:50 AM