Launching a new business is a challenging feat. You’ve already done a lot of work to reach the point where you are ready to launch. You’ve connected with investors, built your brand, and set your goals. Now it’s time to put all that work into action!
Your new employees are going to need a place to work. Since the pandemic, many people have wanted to work remotely. However, when launching a startup, you want to build community with the people you work with. Being together in the same room can help you foster a deeper sense of camaraderie.
If you want your employees to commute to work every day, you have to create an environment they are excited to work in. Offering incentives like an espresso machine and healthy office snacks can show employees you care and value the time they spend working with you each day.
But before you can start stocking the breakroom with tasty treats, you need to find a lease that fits your budget, find ergonomic office furniture, and decorate the entire space. Take a deep breath. You’ve got this. This list includes everything from the loans for startup businesses to fund your lease to the beverage refrigerator you’ll use in the breakroom. Here are the eight essentials you need to create a stellar office space your employees will look forward to clocking in from.
1. Find Loans for Startup Businesses That Fit Your Needs With Help From Entrepreneur
Leasing an office space is only one of the many expenses associated with launching a business. Most businesses need at least a year, if not two, before they reach profitability. While you may invest some of your own money into your new company, you must ensure you keep enough for yourself to live off of while you launch.
This is not to discourage you from pursuing your dreams and launching your business this summer. You need to ensure you have the capital to do so without needing to pull from your personal funds. Leverage your connections and find investors who are excited to back your brand financially and take out loans to fund all your initial expenses.
Entrepreneur can help you compare and contrast loans for startup business to find the best fit for your company. They compare micro-loans, SBA microloans, and online loans in an easily digestible way. They even have suggestions of preferred online loans for startup businesses, with descriptions and links for you to get your application started.
2. Calculate Your Landlord Insurance Cost Using Steadily
© Steadily
Once you have acquired your loan, you can start building your budget based on the funds you’ve received. Consider where you want to spend more money and other areas you may be able to save. Be honest with yourself and set realistic goals. You want this money to last through your launch and get you past the twelve-month mark.
If the business you’re launching this summer is a new real-estate property you plan on renting out to tenants, it’s imperative you do your research and calculate the landlord insurance cost — which is where Steadily can help. Landlord insurance will protect the personal property you keep in the leasing office you set up. It also protects you from vandalism and gives you liability protection, meaning you are protected if any of your tenants are injured on-site, and you are found legally responsible.
Steadily breaks down the landlord insurance cost and shows each state’s average. Even before you get a quote, you can use this information while building your budget.
3. Invest in Quality Ergonomic Office Furniture From Autonomous
You’ve acquired the funds, assessed them, and created a budget. Now it’s time to use that money to build the office space where you and your employees will make the magic happen. Furniture is essential to any office. Your employees need desks and chairs to use while they work each day. Don’t skimp on the furniture you choose for your office. Comfortable seating is vital when you’re expected to work six to eight hours a day at your desk.
Autonomous has a wide selection of ergonomic office furniture that doesn’t break the bank. They offer discounts when you order in bulk. Set your employees up for success with standing desks that allow them to change positions and keep the energy flowing throughout the day. Their ErgoChair gives employees adjustable lumbar support to ensure good posture. When you order these office chairs in bulk, you’ll save about 7%.
Take advantage of Autonomous’ complimentary workspace consultation. Their team will help you design your workspace for maximum efficiency and point you toward bulk deals that will give you the best savings. Simply complete a brief survey on their website with a photo of your office space and details on your preferred aesthetic.
© One Kings Lane
4. Make Your Space Feel More Expansive With Wall Mirrors From One Kings Lane
Many new businesses start small. If you are launching with a small team, you only need a small office space. While a smaller office can help to foster a sense of camaraderie between you and those initial employees, you don’t want your workspace to feel cramped or crowded. Leasing an office with windows can add natural light to open up your space.
Adding a few decorative wall mirrors on walls that don’t have windows will reflect the light and give the office an even more spacious feel. One Kings Lane has a wide selection of wall mirrors that will add a decorative touch to your office space and help it feel more expansive. Keep your design minimalist, or go for a bold oversized wall mirror for a more glamorous look.
Placing your wall mirrors across from windows will give employees seated on the opposite side of the office a view. The more reflective surfaces you add to your space, the larger it will feel. When you’re strategic about where you place wall mirrors, no one will feel cramped, even if you’re working in a teeny tiny office space.
5. Give Employees an In-Office Coffee Shop With a Mueller Espresso Machine
If you want to foster a true sense of community in your workplace, you need to create an office space that encourages employees to interact with one another. Set up a breakroom that employees look forward to using. Skip the average coffee pot and turn your employee break area into a bougie café by installing a Mueller espresso machine. It’s small enough to sit conveniently on your breakroom counter while giving your employees a luxury experience.
Employees can start their day using the espresso machine to make themselves a quick cappuccino. They can grind fresh beans for each shot of espresso they pull for the boldest flavor. Then they can froth their favorite milk using the conveniently attached milk steamer. If the espresso machine on its own isn’t enough to level up your break room, try adding a few flavored syrups and let your employees create their own barista creations.
Now you and your employees can enjoy an iced latte when you need an afternoon pick-me-up. Since Mueller’s espresso machine comes with everything you need to clean and descale in a snap, you can make as many americanos, lattes, and cappuccinos as your staff needs to maximize productivity.
6. Keep Beverages Cold With a hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator in the Breakroom
Cappuccinos and lattes won’t be the only beverages your employees need to get through the day. They may want to grab something cold and refreshing to sip on and stay hydrated. Plus, you’ll need a place to store milk to use in all their coffee creations. Store sodas, water, and milk for the espresso machine in a beverage refrigerator from hOmeLabs.
Unlike traditional refrigerators, hOmeLabs’ beverage refrigerator is designed uniquely to keep beverages at the ideal chilled temperature. It gives you more control over how cold you keep your drinks, with temperatures as low as 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The auto defrost function ensures none of the beverages stored inside will freeze. They’ll just stay at cool, crisp perfection.
Don’t let the small size fool you. This beverage refrigerator may only be about 33 inches tall but can fit 120 standard-sized soda cans. You can move the shelves around to make space for the taller milk containers you’ll need to store and still have room for plenty of tasty drinks.
7. Ensure Employees Have the Brain Food They Need With Healthy Snacks From SmartBox
No one works well on an empty stomach. Providing your employees with snacks can help keep their energy up throughout the day and help them stay focused longer. If their stomach starts rumbling in that awkward time between lunch and clocking out, they can simply pop over to the breakroom and grab a snack to satiate them until dinner.
SmartBox makes shopping for healthy office snacks more manageable than ever. Rather than stocking your breakroom with chips and candy, choose healthy snacks that can give your employees sustained energy. Choose from their premixed office snack boxes full of tasty treats, including Popchips, dried cherries, Tiny Tates gluten-free cookies, and much more.
If you want to choose your own healthy office snacks, you can build your box through their subscription service. Depending on your office size, you can add anywhere from 50-250 snacks to your box. You can customize your box to fit your employees’ dietary needs. Whether your workers are keto, vegan, or gluten-free, SmartBox offers delicious healthy treats that can give them the fuel they need to get their work done.
8. Set Up an Outdoor Space Where Employees Can Enjoy the Fresh Air
If you want to truly take your office space to the next level, consider adding an outdoor area for you and your employees to enjoy. It can be challenging to work indoors all day. Spending a few minutes in the sun can revitalize your employees and boost their mental health. Patio Productions provides commercial patio furniture at a reasonable price you can use to curate an outdoor office space.
Employees can enjoy their lunch on a sectional patio sofa while they soak up some vitamin D. You don’t solely have to use your outdoor area as a break environment. Utilize the gorgeous weather when you can. Think of your patio as an extension of your office. Try hosting team meetings in the outdoor space.
Choose a well-shaded area for your outdoor workspace. If you use a rooftop, create shade with umbrellas, plants, or trellises. Ensure your wifi connection extends to the outdoor area. When you or your employees need a change of scenery, you can step outside, take a deep breath, and get back to work with renewed clarity.
Create an Office Space Employees Are Excited To Commute To
Getting workers back in the office after the pandemic may be challenging, but you are up to the task. Who wouldn’t want to start their day by checking their emails on the office patio and drinking a homemade cappuccino? Implementing these suggestions can help you create an office space that your employees genuinely want to work from day in and day out. Even if your office space is intimate, wall mirrors will keep the room from feeling cramped.
You don’t need to require your employees to clock-in in person daily. Many companies are finding that implementing a hybrid schedule allows for employee flexibility and the teambuilding required to get a startup off its feet. Let your employees choose which days they come into the office. When you have curated such a gorgeous work environment, most of them will want to come in more often than they stay at home.
