Pay It Forward

February 22, 2011.

Back in 2005 after we negotiated our lease, put a bunch of money down on our new space I realized we had no office furniture for Jamie's Painting & Design.  We  had 9 employees, me included and I was not even sure if we would have enough chairs for them (we worked in shifts in the studio).  Some of the cabinets and counters we were able to take out of my garage and utilize them in the break room and the work room.  I think we had two office chairs also, but other than that I had nothin'.

Things Happen For a Reason

As luck would have it our new rental space was located across the street from an old friend of my parents.  He was from their days of coaching my sister and I in softball (okay my sister mostly, I was just there for the snacks and gossiping).  While the rest of my family was measuring and figuring out the logistics of my office, my mother bounded across the street to say hello.  They had just sold their business, so they would not be our neighbors for very long.  However, they were willing to sell us as much of their furniture at dirt cheap.  We picked up 6 great teal colored drafting tables, industrial shelving units, and file cabinets.  We were thrilled.  I quickly made plaques for their grandchildren and sent them nice thank you cards.

As great as that was for our office - we still were short many things.  I for one had no office furniture, until I found me some Craig's List.  I had never used Craig's List, nor had I really had a use for the site.  I found myself trolling the site each morning when I woke up.  I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I could use, what I wanted and what I could actually afford.  As luck would have it again, I found an entire office set for only $80.00.  There was a desk, a credenza, a book case and multiple side tables.  The gentleman had just bought the house and hated the built-in office furniture. 

After dismantling the furniture my very creative Father put it back together in a formation that worked within my office space.  He made a credenza out of three of the file cabinets and a single file cabinet  He built me a free standing desk, and a 2 side tables, plus a table for the entry way.  He tool the book cases and made them into one large book case.  

Do As We Did

After exhausting the office furniture sales on Craig's List I turned to FreeCycle.  It is a great site where you can find free things that that people want to get rid of.  One afternoon I found a small company that was giving away office furniture.  Desks, chairs and file cabinets.  My husband and I borrowed my father's truck and hauled ass down to San Jose to pick it up.  I thanked the guys over and over and asked what I could give them some compensation (usually in these situation I can offer up some cute baby gift, but these guys were not even 30 and had no use for my cutesy baby decor).  The owner of the company just told me if I was ever in the same situation to please give these desks away to someone that needs it.  He said, " You should know, start-up's are hard enough, let alone having to purchase thousands of dollars of office furniture.  Pay it forward."

We Are Busy Paying Everything Forward

I am not used to downsizing, or minimizing my space.  I don't think it something that I have ever had to do.  But, wow it sure is therapeutic and very calming to have to go through everything you have and figure out do I need it or not.  Or let's face it I had to admit most things I had I just wanted, and did not need.  I am helping some peeps out;

• My cousin's are both starting out and need things for their apartments.  My aunt came and collected decorations, coffee pot, microwave, frames, artwork, chairs, kichten table and the cutest little white chest you ever did see.
• One of the women that works for me took an oak filing cabinet, wood organizer and half of the built cupboards and counter for her garage.
• Two of my favorite teachers a my daughter's school took my office furniture, office supplies, organizers, tissue paper and file cabinets
• Our Art Studio at school took all of the turquoise drafting tables and a large metal cabinet for storing art.
• The Salvation Army got dressers, chairs, rugs, cabinets and anything not nailed to the wall.
• Giving away mistakes and errors are going to be on Facebook for FREE (except for shipping and handling).
• And of course we gave away all of that office furniture that was so graciously given to us.

Small is the new big, or shall I say the new smart.  I did not need all of this "stuff" nor did my employees.  I don't like what the Recession did - but I do respect it.  We have shrunk in size, but not in product.  We will survive, we will survive.

 

 

Comments

[shelly kennedy]

nice. very nice. small IS the new big! i keep trying to simplify - not an easy task!

[Nursery Furniture Sets]

Hello,
This is a wonderful post. I really enjoyed reading the post. I just love that picture of the break room and the arrangement looks superb to me.
:)

[Liza Melin]

That's very nice to have them all cheap! And I congratulate you for moving in a bigger place which means bigger business of course. When you finished paying forward and have gained more money, try to reinvent your office interior. It is one of the factors that attract more customers and it also drives employees to work harder and happier.

[Sevenoaks Furniture]

Such a wonderful post.. Thank you so much for sharing an extremely informative post like you got in here. it's worth the read!

[jewelry making]

Jamie, congrats for having it for being lucky. Maybe, you can have more better than that!

[Furniture]

Great method of designing a office furniture.. Very nice post and your very lucky too..http://www.vivamagonline.com/index.php Thanks for taking time to share with us.. Well done and keep on sharing more articles..

[Solid Oak Tables]

Lovely! I love how you put things into it's proper places just to have a more tidy table...

[jewelry making]

Ohh where did the drawer goes and the desktop? I'm afraid that you have thrown it away. LOL!

[Macey Prange]

You have such a kind heart. Besides, having all the things that we only want does not value as much as those things that we needed. In your case downsizing is maximizing. I mean you cut down furniture to have bigger space to breathe in. And being comfortable to the work space means an increase in production and quality.

[wholesale clothing]

congrats for having it! you will have more than that just be yourself and stay with god always! god bless you jamie!

[Solid Oak Tables]

Such a wonderful post! Thank you so much for sharing this in here, very insightful indeed!

[Blake Mitchell]

Very nice! I love your office arrangement. It's very colorful and vibrant. I especially like the receiving area with the alternating frames on the wall. It gives a sweet and sensible personality on the room. If this is my office, I wouldn't mind working till late at night, hehehe.

[bedroom furniture sets]

I thought you were going to give some insight on furniture and not leave us hanging to decide.

[cindy]

Ha, thanks!It is expand my horizon.

[Avery Gerner]

Seven years seems to be a pretty short time considering all the changes that occurred in your business. It seems you went through a lot based on the space where you work, the number of employees you had that time, down to the experience you had from each and every one of them. In my opinion, for the next few years, there'll be tons of changes and challenges that will keep your business growing.

[Cedrick Niemitzio]

I love your office! It's so simple and smart. In a business, its only proper to have a good working environment for your employees. It boosts morale and keeps them comfortable at all times. Good luck on your business growth!