Oh no! My office is closing.
February 1, 2008 by ShannonCherry
Filed under Business
When Starbucks founder Howard Schultz recently retook the helm of his company, he decided to cut some costs. And that means announced the closings of 100 Starbucks nationwide.
Although this is just 1% of all the Starbucks, I panicked for a moment, thinking my favorite other office and meeting/conference room might be gone. Well, with more than 12,000 other stores, I am sure it won’t be hard to find one.
But it got me thinking, if you work out of a home office, where do you conduct business? I really don’t like having people in my home, so I always meet them out. And sometimes, when I just need a change of scenery, I grab my laptop and go to a coffee house to work.
How about you?
Generally, I rely on Panera for meetings — I like places that have free wifi. :)
However, if I need some place ‘professional,’ there are several office buildings in my area with conferences rooms that I can rent for an hour or two.
Sometimes I think I live at Starbucks. The staff all know and greet me. Many of the folks working and writing in the mornings are regulars whose company I enjoy. It gives me a place to focus that is different than my office.
Our local McD has free WiFi, so I used to take the kids there to play and sit and work on my laptop. It was a nice break for them, and for me.
I don’t go to the local Starbucks. But I do go to my favorite “mom & pop” coffee shop when I need to get out of the home office and have some “people” contact. It is great. I walk in and they know me and know what I drink. I would be lost if they happen to close.
There is more to life than just going to starbucks. Try a local coffehouse or maybe skip the java all together.
Yes Shannon, I have to agree with you, I prefer not to meet up with people in my home. I have met at a local Denny’s or Paradise Bakery to conduct business because they have free WIFI for my computer which is a great bonus. Here in Arizona we have buildings that have small 200 or 400 square foot offices that you can rent for the day even and make you look more established. They also allow you to use the fax and computers if needed. Something a bit different but then again, that cost some cash up front also.
Hi Shannon-
Ran across you and your blog via Twitter account AlbanyNY :) I’m a Latham resident myself, and I too run a business from my home.
My apartment complex offers a pretty nicely appointed fireside bar/lounge type area I can reserve, but unfortunately lacks free WiFi. Therefore my meeting place of choice has become Panera, as noted by one of your others commenters previously. Free WiFi, and plenty of space if you avoid the lunchtime rush.
–Andy Badera
Yeah-maybe you should get an office-I prefer not to conduct my business in such a public place. Besides, you are taking up room for the rest of us who actually purchase something. True professionals have offices.