The Next Generation Workplace
A Canton coffee shop offers java, conference rooms and a concierge to professionals without traditional office spaces.
My Corner Office is more than a coffee shop and more than an executive office.
It may be the next generation of workplaces.
"You go into a Starbucks or a Caribou on any day at any time and you basically see business people holding meetings, writing on their laptops. They're doing business," said Cindy Morrow, who runs the shop with her husband, David. "But you can't do all of your business there. First of all, it's crowded and not very private. You can only talk with a few people and you don't get the services that entrepreneurs need like fax machines."
So what exactly is My Corner Office? First off, it's a coffee shop that offers a range of pastries and bagels. Yes, you can pull up a chair and a table and get to work. But you can do that anywhere. What makes My Corner Office unique is that it has a variety of business amenities such as conference rooms, secured wifi, printer, fax machines, private study rooms, a massage chair -- even an office concierge. It also offers memberships that offer discounts on the services and preference on room rentals.
Marvin Tabor, 65, is an executive member of My Corner Office. Tabor, an enrolled agent for his tax business, North Georgia Tax Solutions, said My Corner Office fits hits needs perfectly.
"I have about 300 clients and I need a low-key environment to meet with them and talk about their taxes," he said. "I used to have an office in a brick and mortar building but this is better. It's more comfortable than going to other coffee shops and if I need a conference room, I have it. There's lots of parking and they're open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week. They have all the amenities I need and I don't have to have a physical office and all those problems. I don't have to worry about the electricity bill or pipes freezing. I even get my mail sent there."
The Morrows came up with the idea because it fit perfectly with what David, a computer software developer, needed. He would do his business in coffee shops or out of the house and, now that he has six employees, they meet in My Corner Office.
"It really is aimed at people like David and Mr. Tabor," Cindy said. "They are entrepreneurs and small businesses that don't need an office in a building but they need a place to do business or they have a home office and just want to get out once in a while. We really feel as though we fit needs of the new workforce."
In fact, they believe their concept will work in other places besides Canton. They are thinking about opening another one in Tampa, FL.
"Professionals need a professional place to do business but not in the traditional way," she said. "That's where My Corner Office comes in."
Rickey Blackmon
12:02 am on Sunday, December 2, 2012
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